The UK Creative Industries Sector Plan: what it means for post-production
You may have seen the Creative Industries Sector Plan published by the UK Government. It's a genuinely exciting plan for our sector, and at CETA we've spent some time working through it to see what might be of relevance or help.
In short, there's real money and support available to companies in our industry, and we don't want you to miss out on it.
The plan is very detailed and long, and the information is spread across different government websites and documents. So we've done some work and pulled the most relevant things together below, each with its status and the page of the plan it sits on. We're by no means experts in any of this, so do check the current position before acting on anything.
Most programmes are available to UK-based businesses. However, if you have UK operations, work with UK co-production partners, or are considering a UK presence, much of this may be relevant to you too. Good luck if you apply for any of the funding. The full plan is on gov.uk.
Funding and finance
For independent screen content producers and distributors
Funds international co-productions, development, distribution, and export of independent UK screen content. Budget has increased from £7 million to over £18 million per year for 2026-2029.
For post-revenue UK creative businesses looking to grow
Loans of £100,000 to £1 million for post-revenue creative businesses with a minimum annual turnover of £300k, strong growth potential and new IP or innovation.
For studios in Greater Manchester, Liverpool, the North East, the West of England, the West Midlands or West Yorkshire
£25 million per region to support creative businesses with investment readiness, mentoring, finance, skills and export opportunities.
For all UK creative businesses seeking investment
A new service to help creative businesses navigate the funding landscape and find the right investment options in one place.
Skills and talent
For studios recruiting specialist design talent from outside the UK
A dedicated route for design professionals to live and work in the UK without a job offer or sponsor.
For studios looking to recruit or support vocational creative talent
New Level 4 and 5 qualifications in creative and design subjects including animation and audio-visual production. Designed around employer needs and delivered by FE colleges across England.
For the wider screen industry, and studios recruiting NFTS graduates
Government investment of £10 million, unlocking £11 million of private funding, to expand the NFTS and increase graduate output into screen production roles.
For the wider creative industry, with long-term benefit for all studios
A refreshed UK-wide £9 million service to raise awareness of creative careers among young people. Part of the long-term talent pipeline.
AI and copyright
For rights holders and content owners, and AI developers seeking licensed content
A new marketplace for licensing digitised creative assets. Currently focused on GLAM institutions but the licensing framework it establishes will affect commercial producers too.
For all studios and rights holders whose content may be used to train AI models
Will determine what AI developers can use creative content for, how rightsholders are remunerated, and what transparency standards apply.
Regional clusters and corridors
For studios based in or near one of the 12 named cluster locations
The government will work with 12 named clusters to drive growth. Includes Dundee (games), West Midlands and Bristol and Bath (createch), Sunderland (screen) and clusters across the Northern city regions.
For studios in the North of England, West of England, South Wales or Thames Estuary region
Three corridor partnerships are being developed: the Northern corridor, the West of England-South Wales corridor, and the Thames Estuary Production Corridor, which has potential to double its creative production economy.
For all UK studios, particularly those outside London dependent on regional BBC commissioning
Will determine the BBC's long-term funding and regional footprint. A 1% increase in the BBC's local footprint produces an estimated 4.5% increase in creative cluster growth. The outcome matters for studios across the UK.
Innovation and R&D
For studios undertaking technology development, AI integration or other qualifying R&D activity
Updated HMRC guidance clarifies that creative sector projects seeking an advance in science or technology can qualify for R&D tax relief, including salary costs. Worth checking with your accountant.
For studios working on virtual production, AI-assisted workflows or related creative innovation
The UK's first national R&D lab for creative technology at Pinewood Studios. Provides access to state-of-the-art virtual production, AI and cloud infrastructure.
For studios interested in R&D collaboration with universities and other creative businesses
Four new Creative Industries Clusters bringing together universities, businesses and regional partners to drive R&D and innovation. Clusters will be looking for industry partners from early 2027.
For businesses at the intersection of creative industries and technology
A £25 million DCMS programme funding new R&D labs and commercialisation support, expanding the CoSTAR network. Detailed delivery plan expected by end of 2026.
Business rates
For eligible film studios in England
A 40% reduction on business rates in England until 2034. Applies automatically to qualifying properties.
For cinemas, galleries, music and performing arts venues in England
New lower business rate multipliers for eligible premises with rateable values under £500,000.
Based on research conducted in September 2026. Programme details and deadlines are subject to change, so please verify the current status before taking action.