What Andy Burnham’s First Cabinet Means for the Cultural and Creative Industries
// creative industries // Creative UK // UK Government
With the dust settling on Andy Burnham’s arrival in Downing Street, now is an opportune moment to consider how this new Prime Minister – and his new Cabinet – may impact the UK’s cultural and creative industries.
As the first former Culture Secretary to become Prime Minister, Burnham brings a clear understanding of the sector’s economic and social importance. His first speech outside No 10 signalled that his government will act quickly, collaborate more openly, and reshape the machinery of the state to drive national renewal.
Perhaps the most consequential early decision for the sector has been the retention of Lisa Nandy as Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Having overseen the development of the Sector Plan, it’s positive to have continuity in the department which will build on its delivery. The new-look DCMS will also take on a wider digital remit which will include online safety, digital foundations, information resilience and skills.
This consolidation brings parts of the digital and creative agenda back together, which could create a more coherent policy environment to resolve outstanding issues such as AI, copyright, media regulation, and digital transformation. There is also an opportunity to address the disconnect between cultural and creative industries strategy and the wider education and skills framework.
Burnham has also committed to developing a ten‑year economic plan, creating a framework within which the cultural and creative industries must now position themselves as drivers of long‑term growth.
Another major change is the removal of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). Despite some big wins for DSIT, most of its responsibilities will now be folded into the newly–named Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade under returning Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds. This shift will strengthen links between innovation, commercialisation and creative content.
Meanwhile, Burnham’s wider Cabinet appointments signal a government that intends to refresh its approach in some areas while maintaining continuity in others.
- John Healey becomes Chancellor, following his recent resignation as Secretary of State for Defence over the defence budget.
- Ed Miliband moves from DESNZ to the Foreign Office
- Shabana Mahmood remains at the Home Office
- Pat McFadden continues at Work and Pensions
- Yvette Cooper takes on Health
- Wes Streeting moves to Defence
- Louise Haigh becomes Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and First Secretary of State.
The Machinery of Government changes announced in Parliament signal deeper shifts. The creation of No 10 North will place devolution and regional economic growth at the heart of the government’s agenda, with combined authorities set to play a far more significant role in shaping skills, economic development, and local growth.
For a sector like the CCIs, this matters. Creative UK’s headquarters is based in Salford, Greater Manchester – at the heart of one of the UK’s strongest creative clusters – underscoring our long‑standing commitment to regional growth. It also reinforces a central argument of our recent Advocacy Toolkit: that creative clusters and devolved institutions should be viewed as delivery vehicles for inclusive growth.
Creative UK’s role in this moment is clear. As we convene, champion and grow the cultural and creative industries, we must operate confidently across a far more complex political geography. The cultural and creative industries cannot rely on a single centre of political gravity; instead, we must show how creative investment strengthens communities, drives local growth, and delivers visible outcomes wherever power sits.
