Government announces new Freelance Champion role as part of Creative Industries Sector Plan

The Government has today launched its Creative Industries Sector Plan, as part of its new Industrial Strategy.

The plan includes a number of headline grabbing and encouraging announcements, including the introduction of a Freelance Champion, increased investment in the screen sectors, and a commitment to public service broadcasting. 

Responding to the publication of the Creative Industries Sector plan, Directors UK CEO Andy Harrower said: 

“Following several difficult years for the screen sector, this provides a much-needed acknowledgment of our world-leading film and TV industries and the talent that drives them. The introduction of a Freelance Champion – something Directors UK has long been calling for – shows that the government is taking the vital role that freelancers play seriously after years of being overlooked. The commitment to investment in screen funding, skills development and to sustaining a strong UK production sector is welcomed and we look forward to seeing this translate into sustainable careers for our members across the UK.”

The Creative Industries Sector Plan includes a number of steps to support freelancers and the screen industries, including:

•   The appointment of a new freelance champion to represent freelancers at a government level

•    A £75 million “Screen Growth Package” including commitments to greater investment in the UK Global Screen Fund, and investment to expand the National Film and Television School (NFTS)

•    A new £150 million devolved “Creative Places Growth Fund”

•    A commitment to maintaining existing tax credits

•    The development and roll out of skills passports from 2026

•    A commitment to working with CIISA to tackle bullying and harassment.

Read the full plan here. 

Many of the measures we recommended in our response to the government’s Industrial Strategy consultation have been reflected in the new sector plan — in particular the introduction of a dedicated voice for freelancers in Westminster. The Sector Plan also has a renewed commitment to public service broadcasting and its support of the independent sector. This work to protect PSBs will partly involve investigating possible alterations in the regulatory landscape, which we will monitor closely. 

We look forward to working with the government and the industry to develop and implement these measures and help make sure that directors across the UK see substantial, sustainable benefits from the rollout of this sector plan.