I am a resident of Sunderland, deeply invested in the future of our city and its youth. It is my belief that investing in the Crown Works film studios in Pallion can provide a much-needed boost to our area, which has faced economic deprivation for too long.

Sunderland has been identified as one of the most deprived areas in England (English Indices of Deprivation 2019). Investing in our local film studio could create jobs and opportunities, not just for those directly involved with film production but also across various sectors such as catering, transportation and construction. This would not only help reduce unemployment rates but also stimulate local businesses.

Moreover, this investment could inspire pride among our young people who will see their city contributing to the UK's vibrant film industry. They will know that they too can play a part by working at Crown Works. The UK creative industries contributed £111.7 billion to the economy in 2018 (Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport), demonstrating how valuable this sector can be.

We urge the government to recognise Sunderland's potential and invest accordingly into Crown Works Film Studios. Please sign this petition if you believe in a brighter future for Sunderland and its residents.