Mandy Girder, Partner and Media Lead, commented:

The strategy offers vital fiscal support for the UK’s creative sector in the form of a £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund. The fund prioritises regional growth in the North-West, West Midlands, North-East, Cardiff, creating major opportunities for businesses beyond London.

The strategy aims not just to stimulate investment, but also to provide a broader foundation for scalable and sustainable growth across the creative industries.

The aim of the fund is to help creative industry businesses scale by unlocking new financing, boost R&D, and support workforce development. Aligning these Local Growth Plans with combined authorities will help bridge productivity gaps and unlock local talent.

Freelancers, a vital component of the creative economy, are also receiving targeted attention under the new plan.

With a large proportion of creative workers being self-employed, the sector is highly exposed to economic shocks. Expanding apprenticeships and the Creative Careers Programme are positive steps, but there is some way to go to address mid-career and digital skill gaps. The appointment of a Creative Freelance Champion is a welcome move that recognises the challenges and support needed by freelancers in the industry.

Oversight and governance also feature heavily in the new framework, with the creation of dedicated advisory groups.

Industry oversight remains prevalent, but the new Creative Industries Taskforce and Council will also play a crucial role. The Council is made up of members across the creative sub sectors and across the UK, which will be pivotal in fostering an environment of transparency and accountability.

On the innovation front, the focus on Createch where creativity meets technology reflects the sector’s evolution into high-growth, IP-led ventures.

Createch is a clear industry growth area, with a £25 million Creative Futures programme committed to immersive tech, AI, and IP driven innovation. However, legal clarity around AI training data and copyright must involve the wider industry.

Looking at the broader picture, the strategy may well be a defining moment for how the creative economy is positioned within the UK’s industrial framework.

This plan puts the creative economy on equal footing with traditional industries. But its success will depend on strong financial controls, transparent outcomes, and effective leadership.

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