The UK Government has unveiled a £60 million funding boost for the creative industries, marking the first step in its ambitious Sector Plan aimed at turbocharging growth across the sector. This significant investment aims to unlock the full potential of the UK’s world-class creative businesses, spanning film, music, video games, and beyond, fostering job creation and economic opportunities nationwide.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, speaking at a major summit in Gateshead, emphasised the vital role of the creative industries in driving economic growth. The £60 million package will support businesses and projects throughout the country, from grassroots music venues to start-up video game studios, helping to expand exports of British music and film. This funding also aligns with the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which places creative industries at its core.
At the Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Nandy addressed over 250 business leaders and cultural figures, setting out the Government’s commitment to transforming local venues, supporting innovation, and creating a favourable business environment that encourages continued investment in the sector. This initiative targets key regions across the UK, including the North East, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, and West Midlands, aiming to promote regional economic growth and bring creative opportunities to communities outside London.
A Strategic Vision for Growth
The Sector Plan is designed to address the barriers that hinder growth in the creative industries, particularly around skills and access to finance. The Government is collaborating with industry leaders, including the Creative Industries Taskforce, to ensure that the sector’s challenges are met with targeted solutions. In addition, shorter apprenticeships will be introduced in August 2025 to better align with the sector’s specific needs, as part of a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy.
Alongside the funding announcement, the UK Government is reinforcing its commitment to the creative sector through the creation of a Soft Power Council, which will champion the UK’s global influence in culture and the arts. Foreign Secretary David Lammy stressed the importance of soft power in enhancing the UK’s global standing, using cultural exports like music, film, and fashion to build stronger international ties and drive further economic growth.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves echoed this sentiment, highlighting the broader economic ambitions of the Government’s growth strategy. “This funding boost is a clear signal of intent,” she said, “as we work to grow the economy and ensure that the UK remains a global leader in creative industries.”
An Investment in the Future
The creative industries are increasingly seen as an essential part of the UK economy, with the government estimating that the sector contributed £115 billion to GDP in 2023. This latest £60 million investment is part of a broader effort to make the UK a more attractive place to do business, ensuring that creative enterprises have the support they need to innovate, grow, and compete internationally.
Alfie Scarborough, CEO of adCAPTCHA, a UK-based security platform, noted the sector’s expanding role in an on-demand world. “Creative industries are the backbone of the UK’s entertainment economy, driving content across streaming services, cinema, and the internet. Supporting innovation within these industries is vital to meeting the increasing demand for content while ensuring that grassroots creatives can thrive.”
The funding boost comes as the UK government also announced that the British Business Bank, which has already supported over 64,000 small businesses with £17.4 billion in finance, will increase its efforts to help creative businesses access the capital they need for growth.
With the publication of the full Creative Industries Sector Plan expected in the spring, the Government is making clear that it sees the creative sector as key to the UK’s economic future. As Nandy concluded, “This is just the beginning. The creative industries are central to our vision of a thriving economy, and we are determined to make them a cornerstone of the UK’s success on the world stage.”
This £60 million funding package not only serves as a significant investment in the creative sector but also sends a strong signal about the UK’s commitment to harnessing the power of culture to drive economic growth, create jobs, and foster innovation across the country.
source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/60-million-boost-for-creative-industries-to-turbocharge-growth
