The scale of this support highlights the important role that creative industries play in the UK economy. But with significant investment already being made, the question is increasingly about where the benefits of that investment are felt – and whether more can be done to support creative businesses, jobs and decision-making outside London.

From supporting production to supporting creative ecosystems

Mandy Girder, Partner, said:

The latest HMRC figures show Government support for the creative industries has continued to grow, with £2.45bn of relief paid out in relation to 2024/25 tax year, up from £2.28bn the year before. There is a significant opportunity to use that investment to stimulate regional economic growth. The UK’s most successful creative hubs have shown that when production, investment and decision-making move closer to local talent pools; skills and jobs develop around them

This distinction is important for businesses. Moving individual productions outside London can create short-term economic activity, but establishing a sustainable creative cluster requires a wider ecosystem – including skilled workers, production companies, technology businesses, agencies, investors and senior decision-makers.

Regional businesses can benefit when these elements develop together. For individuals, this can create more opportunities to build careers without having to relocate to London.

The success of these reliefs shows that targeted Government intervention can stimulate investment and growth. The next challenge is ensuring that the benefits are felt across the whole of the UK. Creative businesses exist in every nation and region, and policymakers should be thinking about how this increasing level of support can help strengthen regional creative clusters.

The case for regional decision-making

The Nations and Regions agenda helped move television production and commissioning spend across the UK. The BBC’s move to Salford was a landmark moment, helping establish Media City and a much wider ecosystem of production companies, agencies, technology businesses and creative talent.

Channel 4’s decision to establish its National headquarters in Leeds provides another example. Moving commissioners and decision-makers closer to regional creative communities can help build relationships with local businesses and talent, potentially creating a stronger pipeline of work and investment.

For creative businesses, this could mean greater access to commissioning opportunities and investment. It could also encourage more companies to develop and retain intellectual property in the regions rather than relying on London-based infrastructure and decision-making.

What could the next phase look like?

A political leadership with its roots in the regions could give that movement fresh momentum. This could mean more commissioners and senior decision-makers from outside London, greater regional control of investment, stronger support for independent media businesses and more opportunities for companies to develop and own intellectual property in the regions.

There is already a strong foundation to build on. Manchester and Salford have developed into major broadcasting, digital and creative centres, while Liverpool has an internationally recognised cultural economy. Other areas, including Lancashire and Cheshire, are also developing communities of creative, production and technology businesses.

A more regional approach could therefore have implications beyond the media sector itself. Creative clusters can support employment, property, technology, professional services and local supply chains, creating wider economic benefits.

As Mandy concludes:

Britain has spent more than two decades moving media production into the Nations and Regions. A Prime Minister shaped by the regions could take the next step: moving more of the power there too

What should businesses and individuals consider/do next?

For businesses operating in the creative and media sectors, the changing geography of investment could create opportunities to consider where they locate, recruit and develop their operations.

Businesses should consider:

• Where future investment is likely to be concentrated, particularly as Government support for creative industries evolves
• Whether regional expansion could provide access to new talent pools and lower operating costs
• How they can engage with emerging creative clusters, local networks and regional investment initiatives
• Whether they are making full use of available creative industry tax reliefs and incentivesHow regional growth could support the development and ownership of intellectual property

Would you like to know more?

If you have any questions, please get it touch with your usual Blick Rothenberg contact or Mandy using the form below.