U.K. Creative Industries Get $73 Million Government Boost as Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy Unveils Growth Plan

The UK government revealed a £60 million (approximately $73 million USD) plan to foster expansion within the creative industries, which was disclosed during last Friday’s Creative Industries Growth Summit held in Gateshead.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy will share the financial strategy with over 250 creative companies and cultural influencers at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.

As a passionate supporter, I’m thrilled about the upcoming fiscal year budget, as it earmarks an impressive $48.7 million. This allocation is aimed at boosting film exports, fostering video game startups, preserving grassroots music venues, and nurturing creative businesses beyond London. The British Business Bank is also stepping up to offer more assistance to this sector, which already significantly contributes over $150 billion to the U.K.’s thriving economy.

The budget allocates a total of $46.9 million across several programs: $19.8 million for the Create Growth Program, $6.7 million for the U.K. Games Fund, $8.5 million for the U.K. Global Screen Fund, and $1.9 million for the Music Export Growth Scheme. Meanwhile, four cultural initiatives will each receive $19.7 million from the Cultural Development Fund.

Or more concisely:

The budget breaks down as follows: various programs receive $46.9 million, including $19.8M for Create Growth, $6.7M for UK Games, $8.5M for UK Global Screen, and $1.9M for Music Export; meanwhile, the Cultural Development Fund will distribute $19.7 million to four cultural projects.

The authorities have identified 11 key areas as prime locations for fostering creativity, which include Greater London, Greater Manchester, and the area between Edinburgh and Dundee. Six Regional Administrations are expected to get extra financial support, with the specific amounts yet to be decided during the upcoming budget assessment.

Delegates hailing from Netflix, Spotify, Warner Bros., the National Theatre, and the British Museum are attending a significant gathering that signifies the initial move towards implementing the Creative Industries Sector Plan, an essential component of the United Kingdom’s contemporary industrial policy.

Nandy stated that our top-tier creative sectors, including movies, style, music, and marketing, significantly contribute to this administration’s goal of fostering economic expansion throughout the U.K. He announced a £60 million increase in funding to bolster cultural and creative organizations nationwide. This investment is intended to stimulate growth by modernizing local sites, generating employment opportunities, assisting businesses, and promoting equality across the country.

Rachel Reeves, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer, stated: “Our primary focus is stimulating economic growth, and our thriving creative sectors are a significant British achievement that plays a crucial role.” Simultaneously, David Lammy, in his capacity as Foreign Secretary, unveiled a new Soft Power Council. This council aims to propagate British culture globally and draw foreign investment.

(Note: “Soft power” refers to the ability of a country to shape the preferences of others through appeal and attraction rather than coercion or payment.)

As a passionate advocate for the U.K.’s thriving film and television industry, I’m thrilled about the global acclaim it receives, not just for its artistic merit but also as a significant contributor to our nation’s economic growth. Hearing the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) unveil their creative industries growth plan brings great joy, and I am grateful for the government’s acknowledgment of the pivotal role that film and TV play in our economy. I am especially heartened by the announcement of £1 million in funding support for the British Film Commission.

This upcoming spring, we anticipate the release of the comprehensive plan for the Creative Industries Sector. In the forthcoming months, there are also plans to make more policy-related announcements.

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2025-01-17 12:16