Government Injects £380M to Boost Creative Industries

Updated June 21, 2025
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The UK government is set to inject £380 million into its creative industries,⁢ aiming to bolster growth and innovation across various sectors. The plan,expected to ⁤be published next week as part of a broader industrial strategy,earmarks the creative industries as key winners.

A critically important portion of the ⁢funding includes £75 million to support the film industry and £30 million dedicated to backing start-up video games companies. Another £30 million will go to the music industry, with increased funding for grassroots venues. Additionally, £25 million is allocated for research into cutting-edge technologies, such as ⁣the virtual avatars used in productions like Abba Voyage.

Regional creative businesses will also benefit, with £150 million to be divided among the mayors of Manchester, Liverpool, the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, the North East, and the West of England.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the UK’s creative industries ‍are world-leading and have a huge cultural impact‍ globally. He added that is ⁤why the government is championing them at home and abroad as a‍ key growth sector in its⁢ modern industrial⁢ strategy.

The proclamation has been welcomed by the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theater Union (Bectu). The union called it a show of commitment to the sector.

Bectu chief Philippa Childs said creative workers would also be looking for “sustained support” from the government as the sector “recovers from‍ a ⁣series of external shocks.”

Recent challenges for the creative sector include the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis, and concerns about the ⁣impact of AI, and also potential tariffs on films made outside the U.S.

Conservative shadow culture secretary Stuart Andrew accused Labor of threatening the “very survival” of the creative industries.

He said Labour’s policies⁢ are pushing creative businesses to the brink, adding that Rachel Reeves has a secret plan to raise taxes, meaning things will only get worse.

What’s next

The⁢ government’s 10-year industrial strategy ⁤aims to ⁣secure long-term ⁣growth for the UK economy by backing key sectors, with further details expected in the coming weeks.