The UK government has announced a £60 million funding package aimed at boosting the growth of the nation’s creative industries, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the sector and drive economic expansion.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy unveiled the funding during the Creative Industries Growth Summit at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead. The summit brought together over 250 creative businesses and cultural leaders, including representatives from Netflix, Spotify, Warner Bros., the National Theatre, and the British Museum.
The funding is part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy and will support creative businesses such as start-up video game studios, grassroots music venues, and other cultural organisations across the UK. Investments are aimed at fostering innovation, creating jobs, and boosting British music and film exports.
“Our £60 million funding boost will support creative and cultural organisations across the UK to turbocharge growth by transforming local venues, creating jobs, supporting businesses, and spreading opportunity across the country,” said Nandy.
This initiative represents the first phase of the government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan, designed to identify growth opportunities and eliminate barriers to success. Priority regions for the creative industries have been identified, including the North East, Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, Greater London, West of England, South Wales, Glasgow, the Edinburgh-Dundee corridor, and Belfast.
The £60 million funding breakdown includes £40 million for various creative initiatives in the next financial year. This covers £16.3 million for the Create Growth Programme, £2.5 million for the Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, £5.5 million for the UK Games Fund, £1.6 million for the Music Export Growth Scheme, and £7 million for the UK Global Screen Fund.
An additional £16.2 million has been allocated to four cultural projects through the Cultural Development Fund:
- £5 million for the Centre for Writing in Newcastle, supporting writing and publishing talent.
- £5 million for Glassworks in Sunderland, a state-of-the-art glass-making facility.
- £3.5 million for Harmony Works in Sheffield, transforming a Grade II listed building into a music education hub.
- £2.7 million for the Tropicana cultural venue in North Somerset, completing the transformation of a historic seafront complex.
Additionally, 127 creative businesses across 12 regions in England have received a share of £3.6 million from the Create Growth Programme, delivered by Innovate UK.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves highlighted the economic importance of the creative industries, stating, “Our number one mission is to grow the economy, and our creative industries are a British success story with a big part to play.”
The government is also introducing changes to apprenticeships, with shorter, more flexible programmes set to begin in August 2025 to better suit the needs of the creative industries. This complements broader efforts to create a business-friendly environment that encourages long-term investment in the sector.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy also announced the formation of a Soft Power Council to promote the UK’s global cultural influence. “Soft power is fundamental to the UK’s impact and reputation around the world,” Lammy noted, emphasizing the role of culture in diplomacy and economic development.
The UK government remains committed to sustaining creative industries as a vital part of its economic strategy, with further policy announcements expected in the coming months.
