Creative Industries

The UK's creative industries already contribute £124 billion to the economy and employ 2.4 million people — and they are growing. From West Yorkshire's production campuses to Bedfordshire's world-class studio developments, British creativity is attracting record investment and creating jobs in every part of the country.

The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out a 10-year strategy to cement the UK's position as a global creative powerhouse by 2035. Developed in close partnership with industry through an advisory taskforce, the plan will significantly increase business investment, address barriers to growth, and provide dedicated support for high-potential subsectors including film and TV, games, and music.

What this means in practice
Planning decisions are unlocking major investment in British creative infrastructure:

  • Marlow Film Studios in Buckinghamshire — one of the largest investments in the UK creative sector in recent decades — will create up to 4,000 jobs.
  • Universal’s ‘Universal United Kingdom Resort’ theme park confirmed, backed by £1.3bn. of government infrastructure investment to unlock £5bn from Comcast NBCUniversal, creating 28,000 jobs and delivering nearly £50bn for the UK.
  • Production Park in West Yorkshire has received approval to add 70,000 sq ft of new commercial space.

Additionally, a £500 million funding package for research, development and innovation - with £100 million specifically for innovative companies — is backing the next generation of British creative businesses.

Robert Laycock CEO Marlow Studios

'Our creative industries are not just one of this country's greatest exports – they shape global culture and how billions of people around the world see the UK.

The Government's industrial strategy is crucial for Marlow Studios. Championing the creative industries as a priority sector is how we build the world-class infrastructure to secure the UK’s global creative leadership for generations to come.'

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Sector Plan

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The Creative Industries Sector Plan sets out how government and industry will work together to grow the sector by 2035. It includes targeted interventions to boost innovation, improve access to finance and support regional creative clusters.

Sector Planopens assets.publishing.service.gov.uk in a new tab

A targeted mix of support for the sector

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Creative Places Growth Fund

Regional funding designed to develop creative clusters - helping places across the UK to build on their creative strengths.

Explore the Creative Places Growth Fundopens www.gov.uk in a new tab
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Targeted sector funding

Direct investment to support content creation and export growth across three high-potential subsectors: film and TV, games and music.

Learn about different sector fundingopens assets.publishing.service.gov.uk in a new tab
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Growth Capital

The £4 billion IS Growth Capital programme provides investment support for high-potential creative startups and scale-ups.

Find out about growth capitalopens www.british-business-bank.co.uk in a new tab
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Music Export Growth Scheme

Helps UK music businesses grow their international presence, with grants to support promotional activity in overseas markets.

Apply for music export supportopens www.bpi.co.uk in a new tab

Support to grow your business

Access a broad package of support designed to help creative businesses scale more quickly, at lower cost and with greater ease, including:

  • • Step-by-step guidance through the practical steps to scale your business
  • • Overview of funding, grants and financial incentives available
  • • Information on events and networks relevant to the business sector and industry

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