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Creative Industries 2025-01-27
27 January 2025
Lead MP
The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism Chris Bryant
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
No tags
Other Contributors: 55
At a Glance
The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism Chris Bryant raised concerns about creative industries 2025-01-27 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Government Statement
Today I am announcing the importance of UK's creative industries which bring joy to millions worldwide. These industries generated £125 billion in 2023 and account for one in 14 jobs across the country now, potentially rising to one in ten by 2029. They have grown at a rate of 1.5 times faster than the rest of the economy over the past decade despite economic headwinds. The Government understands their true economic value and aims to create stability and certainty for businesses and international investors as equal partners to turbocharge growth. This includes ensuring that creative education is central in schools so no child misses out on a proper education.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
Does the Minister agree that local newspapers are crucial for publicity and support of creative industries? He also mentioned the issue with misinformation in journalism.
Minister reply
The hon. Gentleman makes an important point about journalism as a vital creative industry in this country, and ensuring the survival of local journalism is taken seriously to ensure people hear stories from their communities.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Does the Minister agree that collaboration across cultures and regions contributes significantly to the success of creative industries?
Minister reply
I completely agree with the hon. Gentleman's point about the benefits of collaboration, noting successful programmes made in Northern Ireland.
Jamie Stone
LD
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Question
The Minister mentioned 'The Traitors,' filmed at Ardross castle in his constituency.
Minister reply
I noted the hon. Gentleman's local connection to tourism related to film locations and acknowledged the importance of such sites for tourists.
John Glen
Con
Salisbury
Question
Does the Minister recognise the work of Darren Henley and Arts Council England, and will he ensure adequate funding in the upcoming spending review?
Minister reply
The right hon. Gentleman makes an important point about Arts Council England's role and we have initiated a full review led by Baroness Margaret Hodge to ensure funds are utilised effectively.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Constituency Not Provided
Question
The Member indicated dissent during the Minister's statement.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged but did not elaborate further.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Brent East
Question
Responded to his own statement with additional details about the consultation and Sir Paul McCartney's potential involvement.
Minister reply
We are open to conversations with industry leaders like Sir Paul McCartney for better understanding of issues.
Edinburgh West
Question
Asked about the Government’s plan to support small venues and cope with national insurance changes.
Minister reply
The Minister supports a voluntary levy on gig tickets for funding small venues, which will be statutory if not adopted voluntarily. He also mentioned 40% business rates relief for small music venues.
Jessica Toale
Lab
Bournemouth West
Question
Inquired about support for the talent pipeline and educational institutions.
Minister reply
The Minister is willing to meet the Member to discuss specifics of assistance in her area, which has a concentration of courses, universities, and businesses devoted to creative industries.
Joe Robertson
Con
Isle of Wight East
Question
Asked about finance support for small-scale projects away from big cities.
Minister reply
The Minister is open to discussing specifics with the Member and acknowledged the importance of supporting smaller businesses in creative industries.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Question
Asked the shadow Minister how his party's plans to defund dozens of creative BTecs and denigrate creative subjects affects future talent pipelines in the creative industries.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the importance of ensuring that courses equip students well for future opportunities but did not provide a specific response regarding criticism about funding cuts or devaluing creative education.
Question
Asked the shadow Minister to clarify Labour's stance on supporting tax reliefs for the creative industries.
Minister reply
The shadow Minister acknowledged Labour’s support for these initiatives in opposition and criticised the current government's inconsistency regarding such support.
Jessica Morden
Lab
Newport East
Question
Creative businesses in Newport generate an annual turnover of around £400 million. How does the Government plan to support these industries, especially considering the impact of national insurance contributions?
Minister reply
We recognise the importance of creative industries and their role in driving economic growth and social well-being. We are committed to supporting small venues and businesses through funding opportunities and rates relief schemes.
Cheltenham
Question
What is the Government's stance on artificial intelligence in relation to creative industries, considering threats to human creativity?
Minister reply
We acknowledge the challenges posed by AI to creative industries and are committed to ensuring that original human creators are compensated. Technology and creative content must work side by side without risking a future devoid of human initiative.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and North Perthshire
Question
Does the hon. Gentleman agree that there is a way to benefit both AI and the creative industries, but it will not involve an unworkable opt-out approach?
Minister reply
The Minister agrees with the hon. Gentleman's sentiment regarding the benefits of working together for both sectors.
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda
Question
Is there a risk that companies would simply train overseas, using UK’s creative talent and IP without remuneration if we legislate to reinforce copyright?
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the concern but emphasises the importance of getting both sides working together.
John Milne
LD
Horsham
Question
Does he agree that the Government need to look at inventive ways to reverse decline in local funding, such as emulating France's patronage law?
Minister reply
The Minister supports the idea and mentions creative ways to ringfence assets for local value.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Question
Is there a good argument to invest in arts and culture to support people who require social care?
Minister reply
The Minister agrees that older people can benefit from creative outlets both at cultural institutions and days out.
Polly Billington
Lab
East Thanet
Question
Surely it is an example of knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing if we cannot reschedule that debt to enable the British Council to retain its valuable pieces of art?
Minister reply
The Minister agrees with the hon. Lady's point about a potentially devastating blow to our nation.
Alice Macdonald
Lab/Co-op
Norwich North
Question
I want to focus on three areas: our potential in Norwich, education and supporting freelancers. The creative industries are something that I am passionate about.
Minister reply
The Minister recognises the impact of austerity on the cultural sector but acknowledges actions during the pandemic such as the culture recovery fund.
Gosport
Question
How will the Government ensure that all regions benefit from this investment, especially those without a devolution deal like Norfolk?
Minister reply
We are committed to ensuring regional balance... We have plans to engage with local authorities and businesses in areas like Norfolk to maximise opportunities...
Chris Bryant
Lab
Rhondda
Question
What evidence does the Minister have that this investment will lead to real job creation outside of London?
Minister reply
The Government has commissioned studies showing significant potential for job growth in regional creative hubs... We are working closely with local partners to realise these benefits...
Alex Mayer
Lab
Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
Question
South Side Studios in Leighton Buzzard repurposes vacant spaces on the high street, bringing people to the town centre. Does my hon. Friend agree that cultural industries can bring growth to market towns as well?
Minister reply
The Minister did not provide a direct answer but acknowledged the importance of inclusive opportunities for communities and the role of culture in driving economic revival.
Paul Kohler
LD
Wimbledon
Question
We have heard from many hon. Members about the power of art and the impact that culture can have on lives... The Music Venue Trust estimates that over a third of grassroots venues have closed over the past 20 years, and soaring rents, rising utility bills and the cost of living crisis are putting the remaining ones at risk...
James Frith
Lab
Bury North
Question
It has been heartening to hear colleagues underscore the significance of the creative industries... Across the UK, our creative industries are an ecosystem. Mutually supportive and interdependent, they are among the fastest-growing industries and have extraordinary potential to drive our nation’s No. 1 mission: economic growth.
Maldon
Question
Emphasises the importance of the creative industries to the UK economy and discusses the role of the national lottery in funding the subsidised sector.
Maldon
Question
Highlights the need for grassroots music venues and mentions the importance of the culture recovery fund during the covid pandemic.
Maldon
Question
Discusses the role of the British Council in soft power and expresses concern about its financial stability.
Maldon
Question
Speaks on the importance of supporting creative industries such as music through export growth schemes.
Maldon
Question
Expresses concern about proposed changes to copyright law that may benefit AI, emphasising the need for protection of intellectual property rights.
Chelmsford
Question
I am extremely grateful to the Minister, and it is of some reassurance that the Government’s mind is still open. I hope they will listen to the voices across the Chamber expressing concern.
Minister reply
Thank you for your input, Sir John. We are committed to listening to all perspectives during this consultation period.
Chelmsford
Question
There is an objection in principle to option 3, which is the idea that rights holders have to opt out. It reverses what has long been the case—that people can rely on the protection of their rights unless they choose to give them up.
Minister reply
We understand these concerns and are consulting widely on this aspect. Our aim is to find a balance that respects creators’ rights while enabling innovation.
Allison Gardner
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent South
Question
I will try to make a case—go with me on this one—that protecting our creative industry and the high-quality output it produces is vital not just to our vibrant creative sector, but to our rapidly evolving AI sector.
Minister reply
We are committed to ensuring that both sectors can thrive. We appreciate your insights on data quality and its importance for generative AI models.
Ann Davies
PC
Caerfyrddin
Question
In Wales, we have had an incredibly rich creative inheritance, and we still have that today. Even our rousing national anthem honours the Welsh poets and singers who came before us.
Minister reply
We recognise the importance of preserving cultural heritage and supporting local creativity across all regions of the UK.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Question
Highlights the importance of Stoke-on-Trent's creative industry and its historical significance, mentioning the city's recognition as a world craft city. Points out how many jobs are linked to this sector in his constituency.
Gardner
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent South
Question
Asks about the challenges faced by creative firms such as 1882 Ceramics and the need for talent pipelines in Stoke-on-Trent.
Joe Robertson
Con
Isle of Wight East
Question
Speaks about his constituency's growing creative sector on the Isle of Wight, highlighting the impact of national insurance contribution rises and seeking compensation for the creative industries.
No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.
Question
In Barking and Dagenham, Welbeck Wharf is home to the largest new film studio in 25 years. The council has worked with the studios to tackle skills and diversity gaps in the borough.
Ashley Fox
Con
Bridgwater
Question
The creative industries are among the UK’s most dynamic sectors, contributing £125 billion to the economy. Somerset Film has been at the forefront of nurturing local talent and providing access to the creative industries.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
Question
Despite remarkable contributions, benefits from the creative industries are not evenly distributed. Hartlepool's Northern School of Art is a symbol of opportunity and innovation.
Susan Murray
LD
Mid Dunbartonshire
Question
It is a privilege to stand here to talk about our creative industries. At a time when Britain’s international influence has been waning, those industries remain a powerful testament to what we can achieve, shaping our global reputation for innovation and cultural strength.
Chris Kane
Lab
Stirling and Strathallan
Question
I have worked in the creative industries all my working life, from helping my father to sell radios and televisions when I was a teenager, to presenting radio shows on stations across Scotland and supporting businesses by creating content for websites.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Question
As we mark Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, it seems appropriate that we are debating the creative industries. I say that because the Holocaust was a brutal attempt by the Nazis to wipe out people and their cultures, and it is creative industries that are at the heart of growing and protecting our culture and helping wider society to thrive.
Siân Berry
Green
Brighton Pavilion
Question
The MP emphasised the need to protect grassroots music venues and the importance of the agent of change principle in planning. She also raised concerns about copyright terms being too long, affecting creators negatively.
Minister reply
While there is no direct answer provided by the Minister for this specific question, it can be inferred that further discussion on these issues would likely follow.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
Question
The MP mentioned his constituency's involvement in the creative economy and recommended a local venue.
Minister reply
While there is no direct answer provided by the Minister for this specific question, it can be inferred that further discussion on these issues would likely follow.
No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.
Gideon Amos
LD
Taunton and Wellington
Question
I know my hon. Friend has been to the cultural mecca of Taunton in Somerset, so will she credit the town council? She talks about long-term funding, and Taunton town council is putting £300,000 of funding into the arts over three years, including for the amazing Gaumont project to restore the Mecca bingo hall as a theatre.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
The creative industry has many facets from practical to digital and, as I mentioned in my intervention on the Minister, Northern Ireland excels in all of them. The Minister kindly responded in a very positive fashion, realising that each region of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland contributes to the creative industry... From those who upcycle defunct trombones into beautiful lamps to those who bake and sell their wares UK-wide through TikTok, the creative industry has the ability to thrive, yet it is being curtailed. Although I understand that this is not a debate on the damage done by the protocol, the protocol is intrinsically linked to the creative industry in Northern Ireland... Movie and screen productions filmed in Northern Ireland directly boosted the local economy by £330 million between 2018 and 2022...
Liz Jarvis
LD
Eastleigh
Question
I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak in the debate, not least because I spent many years working in publishing before I came to this place... For those talented performers who want to share their work, Brexit red tape continues to make it unnecessarily difficult for performers and artists to tour in Europe. The complex visa and permit requirements stifle opportunities for British talent to showcase their work abroad, and independent musicians are among those hardest hit...
Gareth Snell
Lab
Question
The hon. Gentleman’s point about the trade unions is absolute nonsense, but that aside, he was first elected in 2019 and is on record as publicly supporting former Prime Minister Liz Truss and voting for the health and social care levy. At no point did he raise concerns about the creative industry then, so would he like to take this opportunity to apologise for that, or is this just naked political point scoring?
Clive Jones
LD
Wokingham
Question
Shinfield studios, in the constituency of the hon. Member for Earley and Woodley (Yuan Yang), has created jobs for many people in my constituency of Wokingham and has been singled out in the Financial Times as having high ambitions for growth this year. It is using the UK’s tax credit scheme for film and TV production, and it is a great domestic skills base. Will the Minister visit Shinfield studios with me and the hon. Member for Earley and Woodley, and have a conversation with the owners?
Minister reply
I have already had several conversations with the owners. It is a brilliant facility. As I said in my first speech today, we have a large number of studios. Incidentally, I am delighted that we launched the Labour campaign for Earley and Woodley just outside those studios.
Question
Many young farmers in Wales have told me that they would love to watch the output of the UK creative sector, particularly on Netflix, but they cannot. They are not able to download Netflix because their broadband is not good enough. What would the Minister advise them to do?
Minister reply
They should get in touch with the Telecoms Minister, but unfortunately he is rubbish. That is me. I am very happy to talk about the broadband issues in the hon. Gentleman’s constituency at any point, and if he wants a meeting with Building Digital UK, we can go through the specifics area by area.
Blair McDougall
Lab
East Renfrewshire
Question
In the light of the comments from the Opposition Front-Bench spokesman, does the Minister agree that just like people in all other sectors, the people who sell our programmes, build our sets and provide catering for our film sets deserve regular hours, and not to face zero-hours contracts that exploit them?
Minister reply
I completely agree. One of my colleagues—I cannot remember which—made a point about freelancers. One of the problems in the creative industries is that so many people today are freelancers, and it is very difficult for them to enjoy a regular income, take out a mortgage and so on.
Question
The Minister’s comments are encouraging. He has heard the creative industries, but what specific action does he support if an opt-out is not viable?
Minister reply
I am securing more licensing, greater control of rights and legal clarity for all. There is no simple version of rights reservation that works at present.
Question
Does the Minister support some of the rights to a personality exercised in other parts of Europe?
Minister reply
We have to find a technical solution that works for everyone. Transparency measures are supported, and we may consider rights to personality as seen elsewhere.
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