Creative UK’s response to the 2026 Autumn Budget

Today, Wednesday 28 October, Creative UK - the national network for the Cultural and Creative Industries – has responded to the 2026 Autumn Budget.

Emily Cloke, Chief Executive of Creative UK, said:

“The UK’s Creative Industries are the nation’s competitive superpower – one of our fastest-growing major sectors, contributing £146 billion to the economy and supporting 2.4 million jobs. The Chancellor said he wants to “make Britain the place where the companies of the future are built”. We believe these businesses are creative.

“Tripling the trading allowance, paternity leave for the self-employed, new support for young and female founders, and business rates relief for music venues are welcome steps for a sector where 93% of businesses are microbusinesses and 28% of the workforce is freelance.

“We also welcome the new wave of devolution. Creative clusters drive regional growth, create skilled employment, and shape local identity. We look forward to working with mayors and local leaders to put them at the heart of the new Good Growth Funds.

“But the UK’s creative leadership is not inevitable. It must be earned, invested in and protected. As the Government prepares its 10-year plan and next year’s Spending Review, that means increasing access to finance for creative businesses, including through the British Business Bank; action on creative tax reliefs; fiscal frameworks that recognise creative investment; and robust IP and copyright protection as we forge a British way on AI. The UK must remain an IP-owning nation, where the value our creators generate is owned, not extracted.

“Global competitors are investing at scale. With the right backing, we can grow business investment in creative organisations from £17 billion to £31 billion by 2035 and make the UK the world’s most influential creative superpower. Now is the time to build that future together, so that this truly is a budget to back talent, innovation and growth.”