The UK creative industries have been an economic powerhouse for over two decades, contributing £125 billion to the economy in 2022 and supporting nearly 2.4 million jobs. However, this growth has been accompanied by persistent inequality, with benefits concentrated among a narrow demographic.
A new report by leading researchers explores how to make the growth of creative industry clusters more inclusive and beneficial to diverse groups across the UK.
Authors Heather Carey and Lesley Giles (Work Advance), Kate O’Connor (Independent Consultant, XR Stories and Screen Industries Growth Network), Paul Sissons (Keele University), and Eun Sun Godwin (University of Wolverhampton) examine strategies to place equality and inclusion at the centre of creative cluster development.
As the sector aims to add another million jobs by 2030, the researchers stress the urgent need to ensure this expansion benefits more diverse groups and regions. Their work draws on an in-depth study of Yorkshire’s screen cluster, case studies from UK cities and regions, and a review of international practices.
The report presents five key recommendations:
1. Develop stronger intelligence systems to monitor how cluster growth benefits diverse groups and social mobility “cold spots.”
2. Make inclusive growth the primary objective of creative cluster development agenda, embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion into growth strategies.
3. Implement a multi-faceted set of policies addressing root causes of exclusion, including diversifying education pathways, connecting disadvantaged groups to growth sector jobs, promoting good work practices, fostering inclusive entrepreneurship, and leveraging cultural anchors.
4. Maximize local partnerships and employer engagement to customize programs to local needs and sustain long-term action.
5. Build a collective understanding of effective practices in promoting inclusive creative cluster development through rigorous evaluation and knowledge exchange.
The research identifies nearly 30 examples of inspiring practices from 15 countries, offering a range of potential policy directions for UK cities and regions.
This timely study comes as the creative industries have been identified as a priority sector by governments across the UK nations. It aims to inform place-based interventions that can ensure the opportunities created by expanding creative clusters benefit more people and places throughout the country.
By bridging the disconnect between narratives of economic success and persistent inequality, the report contributes to the wider policy discourse on coupling economic and social outcomes. It aligns with the growing global focus on inclusive growth strategies that view economic expansion as a route to shared prosperity rather than an end in itself.
The full report, along with accompanying working papers, provides policymakers and stakeholders with evidence-based recommendations to promote more equitable and inclusive development of creative clusters across the UK.
Imaged Credit: Photo by Benjamin Elliott on Unsplash
