UK creators call for official acknowledgement from the government
In the rapidly evolving landscape of the creative industries, the UK government is making strides to formally acknowledge and support the burgeoning creator economy. This includes YouTubers, TikTok creators, Instagram influencers, and other freelancers who contribute significantly to the economy.
According to a recent survey, nearly half of the creators in the UK feel their value is not recognised by the broader creative industry, and only 7% think they receive enough support to access finance. In response, the government has pledged to boost the UK's creative industries, with a plan to make the UK the number one destination for creative investment and an extra £14bn promised to the sector by 2035.
One of the key demands from creators is inclusion in official economic data and representation on government creative bodies. They seek recognition that factors them into policy-making and industry standards, ensuring their interests are directly considered. The creative industries minister, Sir Chris Bryant, is considering appointing a creative freelance champion to support creators in the UK, which would be a significant step towards this goal.
Another demand is creator-specific guidance from HMRC on taxes and financial matters. The complexities of creator income streams often differ from traditional employment or business earnings, and tailored guidance could help creators navigate these challenges more effectively. The government's new Creative Industries Sector Plan aims to help creators reach their full potential by providing such guidance.
The UK government's support for creators also extends to dedicated sector funding and support. A recent investment boost of £380 million has been announced to support innovation, access to finance, research and development, skills development, and regional growth. Ensuring this funding explicitly includes and targets the creator economy can help creators scale their businesses and increase economic contributions.
Moreover, creators should be integrated into the UK’s broader Industrial Strategy and sector plans that promote growth in creative industries. This would help improve business investment environments and create more jobs across the sector. The government is also keen on partnering with industry bodies and Creative UK to ensure that the needs of freelancers and creators are met with joined-up support, including training, funding, and access to markets.
Influencers, such as Max Klymenko with over 10 million subscribers, have expressed feelings of underappreciation by the authorities despite their channels' viewership being comparable to a big media company. However, the creative industries minister is committed to increasing support from the British Business Bank to help creators thrive and drive growth in the sector.
The UK creative industries are already making waves on the global stage, with many blockbuster films being shot there and television programs gaining international acclaim. Formal recognition of the creator economy could further enhance their contribution and sustainability, treating them as an important, distinct sector within the creative economy.
In conclusion, the UK government's efforts to formally recognise and support the creator economy involve not only symbolic acknowledgement but concrete actions such as economic data inclusion, tax guidance reform, dedicated funding, strategic integration, and partnership development. These steps would help UK creators to thrive, contribute more effectively to the economy, and drive growth in the creative industries.
[1] Gov.uk. (2021). Creative Industries Sector Deal. Retrieved from
- Recognizing the financial struggles that creators face, the UK government plans to offer creator-specific guidance from HMRC on taxes and financial matters, aiming to help creators navigate their complex income streams more effectively.
- To address the interest of creators in the broader business landscape, the government is considering integrating creators into the UK’s Industrial Strategy and sector plans, potentially enabling them to access more opportunities for training, funding, and market access.
