Review confirms growth-driving role of UK creative industries

The UK government has confirmed the creative industries as one of its eight growth-driving sectors which will feature in its Industrial Strategy expected this month.

Following the 2025 spending review led by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves into UK government expenditure for the next few years, the government said the Industrial Strategy will set out measures to accelerate growth and strengthen economic resilience across the eight sectors.

For the creative industries, the announcement said these measures will include "a significant increase in funding to support regional growth and drive innovation, develop creative places, and ensure the UK’s creative industries remain world-leading."

Full details will be published in a creative industries sector plan, also due in June. A Creative Industries Taskforce, co-chaired by the CIC’s current industry co-chair Sir Peter Bazalgette and future co-chair Baroness Shriti Vadera, has been working with the government to develop the plan. It will outline a long-term strategy to unlock growth, drive investment, and support talent in the sector across the UK.

Separately, the spending review also provides the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) with a funding settlement, which will reach £2 billion for running costs in 2028‑29 and £700 million for capital funding in 2029-30.

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