Scotland Votes to Stay in United Kingdom

Scotland has voted to stay in the United Kingdom after Thursday’s referendum on independence, the BBC reported.

The votes to stay in the U.K. totaled 2,001,926, while 1,617,989 Scots voted for independence. The vote equates to 55% in favor of staying in the U.K. and 45% for independence. The turnout was 85%.

The referendum follows a two-year campaign in which many entertainment figures played a part. Among those arguing for Scotland to stay in the U.K. were David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Simon Cowell and J.K. Rowling, who lives in Scotland.

President Barack Obama made a last-minute intervention in the campaign in support of a “united” U.K. He said in a tweet on Wednesday: “The U.K. is an extraordinary partner for America and a force for good in an unstable world. I hope it remains strong, robust and united.”

Despite the vote, there will be major political changes following the referendum that could affect the film and TV industry. All major political parties have agreed to hand powers over taxation to the Scottish government. This would allow Scotland to raise tax incentives for film and TV production, which currently stand at 25%. Neighboring Ireland recently decided to raise its incentives to 32%, and many Scottish producers want Scotland to match that.

The Scottish government already has control of cultural policy, including film and TV, so not much will change in that department. But if the Scottish government were to increase its budget overall with its new tax raising powers, some of that extra cash could filter down to support the local film and TV industry, although its voice is small. The local film industry only produces around five pics a year.

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