Although the creator economy contributes over £2 billion to the UK and supports more than 45,000 jobs, new findings reveal that a majority of UK creators feel left out of crucial policy decisions that shape their industry.
According to YouTube’s nationwide Creator Consultation, 56% of creators say they don’t feel they have a voice in shaping government policies that affect their work. Meanwhile, 43% feel their contributions aren’t recognised by the wider creative industry, highlighting a growing disconnect between creators and the institutions that should be supporting them.
The report, developed in collaboration with research agency Public First and informed by feedback from nearly 10,000 UK creators, paints a concerning picture: creators are driving cultural and economic value, but a lack of formal recognition and support is stifling their growth.
Support gaps
Despite their impact, creators are struggling with foundational challenges. Just 17% say they feel adequately supported in skills and training, and only 7% feel supported in accessing capital or securing business loans.
These gaps are particularly worrying given the fast-paced nature of the digital creative sector, where access to new skills, equipment, and financial backing can make or break a creator’s success.
This is why YouTube is calling for creators to be formally recognised as professionals and for systemic changes to reflect their growing importance in the UK’s creative ecosystem.
To address these issues, YouTube and Public First have laid out a series of policy recommendations aimed at the government, the creative industries, and platforms themselves. These proposals are designed to complement the Government’s Creative Industries Sector Vision and provide creators with the recognition and resources they need to thrive.
Key recommendations include:
Government recognition: Appoint a dedicated Minister for Creators to formally acknowledge and support the creator economy, especially given its export potential.
Industry representation: Ensure creators are represented on the Creative Industries Taskforce or Council, alongside traditional creative sectors.
Skills & training: Develop a modular accreditation system for short, targeted training courses that build creative, technical, and business skills supported by “microcredits” eligible for the Growth and Skills Levy.
Access to finance: Modernise HMRC’s SIC codes to include a category for creators, and update the Business Income Manual to provide tailored guidance for self-employed creative workers.
Filming and infrastructure: Publish national guidance for filming in public, including small business exemptions that allow creators to film with small crews and basic equipment without needing permits.
Investing in the next generation
As part of this effort, YouTube is also partnering with the National Film & Television School to launch the Creator Incubator: the UK’s first dedicated course built specifically for creators, by creators.
The programme will teach participants how to plan, schedule, and execute content strategies to grow their audiences and elevate production quality, blending creative development with practical business skills.
This consultation marks a pivotal step toward better supporting a sector that is redefining what it means to be a creative professional in the digital age.
“This is the first course of its kind in the UK, built specifically for creators, by creators — helping participants learn to scope, plan, and build their publication schedule to improve audience engagement and the production quality,” YouTube wrote on their blog.
“The challenge is to empower platforms, policymakers, and industry leaders to better support creators and fully realise this dynamic sector's potential. And with the right professional infrastructure and support, we can drive even more growth for the creative industries.”
