The UK’s secretary of state for culture, media and sport has announced the government is committed to growing the creative industries by an extra £50 billion by 2030 and creating a million extra jobs – all over the country – within the same time frame.
Speaking at the Enders Analysis and Deloitte Media and Telecoms 2023 & Beyond Conference, Lucy Frazer told the audience the UK is in a “golden age of the silver screen” with the country’s sound and visual effects industries “rivalling any in the world”.
She also said the industry is on track to double its stage space by 2025.
As part of the government’s commitment to growing the creative industries it wants to work with the industry to create a pipeline of talent, said Frazer.
This will be achieved by promoting skills to primary school children in order to show them the opportunities available within the UK’s creative sector, as well as maximising the opportunities of bootcamps and apprenticeships.
“We want to harness talent in clusters across the UK, and support cannot be at the expense of London or detract from those places that are already thriving,” added Frazer. “It needs to build on what we have already seen across the country. Whether that’s video games in Dundee and Leamington Spa, or TV in Birmingham and Leeds.”
As part of her speech, Frazer also discussed the plan to privatise Channel 4, which was axed by current prime minister Rishi Sunak. “No government has all the answers to all the challenges the media face,” said Frazer, “but what I can promise you is that my approach will be guided by the following principles – protect our public service broadcasters, stand up for independent voices. and nurture a thriving media landscape which upholds and champions fearless truth-telling.”
