The UK government has launched an ambitious 10-year Creative Industries Sector Plan aiming to grow the sector from £17 billion to £31 billion by 2035, with a key focus on bolstering fashion through £2 million funding for the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN programme and enhanced support for London Fashion Week. The plan also addresses supply chain vulnerabilities and expands international trade and talent initiatives.
The UK government has unveiled an ambitious 10-year Creative Industries Sector Plan, aimed at expanding the nation’s creative economy from £17 billion in 2023 to £31 billion by 2035. This forward-looking strategy is designed to bolster growth across various creative sectors, with a strong spotlight on the fashion industry. It combines a broad range of initiatives to help creative businesses scale, export, and build resilience while preserving their distinctive creative identities.
Central to the government’s fashion-specific commitments is the continuation of investment in the British Fashion Council’s (BFC) acclaimed NEWGEN programme. This initiative has long served as a launchpad for emerging UK designers by providing funding for London Fashion Week showcases, mentoring, and business development. The government has allocated £2 million to this programme, underlining its importance in cultivating new talent and sustaining the fashion sector’s global prominence. London Fashion Week itself will also receive dedicated government funding, affirming its role as a vital global platform for British fashion’s cultural influence and commercial strength.
A key area of focus within the plan involves addressing the vulnerabilities of complex global supply chains in the fashion industry. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) plans to establish a new Supply Chain Centre tasked with identifying strategic supply chain risks and exploring solutions such as diversifying imports or increasing domestic capabilities to enhance sector resilience. This initiative reflects a broader recognition that fashion’s global supply lines require robust management amid ongoing international uncertainties.
Beyond fashion, the Creative Industries Sector Plan proposes a suite of supportive measures. These include significantly increased financing options via the British Business Bank, designed to expand access to debt and equity finance for creative businesses. To further stimulate innovation and growth, a new working group will tackle barriers to intellectual property (IP)-backed lending, while an enhanced UK-wide creative careers service will be launched with a £9 million investment, fostering talent development from grassroots levels.
Internationally, the government aims to boost trade and export opportunities through more targeted trade missions and market engagements. Alongside traditional markets like the EU and the US, attention will be directed toward fast-growing regions such as the Asia-Pacific. A commitment to reinforce UK IP rights with a “gold standard” enforcement framework also aims to protect the ownership rights of UK creative businesses on the world stage.
To support talent acquisition, a new Global Talent Taskforce based at Downing Street will oversee efforts to enhance international talent attraction. This includes expanding access to the Global Talent Visa, making it easier for a broader range of design professionals to work in the UK and contribute to the sector’s growth.
Laura Weir, Chief Executive Officer of the British Fashion Council, welcomed the government’s renewed focus on fashion, describing it as both culturally powerful and commercially essential. Speaking following a one-on-one meeting with the Secretary of State for Culture, Lisa Nandy, she highlighted the government’s personal commitment to supporting emerging business and creativity in fashion. Weir emphasised the importance of maintaining fashion’s prominence within the creative industries investment agenda and praised ongoing collaboration between the BFC, government bodies, and industry stakeholders to ensure the plan’s successful delivery.
This strategic plan aligns with the government’s broader Creative Industries Sector Vision, which targets adding £50 billion in Gross Value Added by 2030 and creating one million new creative jobs across the UK. It reflects a comprehensive approach to nurturing growth by investing in creative clusters, research and development, skills enhancement, and international exposure.
In parallel with government backing, the fashion sector and broader creative industries will rely on continued advocacy and engagement to shape implementation. The BFC has expressed gratitude to its members and partners whose input helped secure the prioritisation of fashion within the plan. As the government moves towards the 2026–29 business planning cycle, there remains a critical focus on ensuring transparency around financial commitments and sustaining strong sector representation.
Overall, this plan represents a significant endorsement of the UK’s creative industries, particularly fashion, as a driver of economic prosperity and global cultural influence. The combination of strategic investment, support for emerging talent, supply chain resilience measures, and international trade promotion positions the UK’s creative economy for a dynamic and sustainable future.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=340164 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creative-industries-sector-vision – The UK government has unveiled a ten-year industrial strategy aiming to bolster the economy by supporting key sectors, including the creative industries. This plan outlines initiatives to enhance growth, build talent, and develop skills within the sector, with a goal to add £50 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2030. Specific actions include increasing support for creative clusters, investing in research and development, and expanding international exposure for UK creative businesses. The strategy underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a thriving creative economy.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/60-million-boost-for-creative-industries-to-turbocharge-growth – The UK government has announced a £60 million funding package to accelerate the growth of creative businesses across the country. This initiative marks the first step of the government’s Sector Plan for the creative industries, aiming to drive economic growth and innovation. The funding will support various projects, including start-up video game studios, grassroots music venues, and creative businesses outside of London, with a focus on boosting British music and film exports. The plan reflects a strategic effort to invest in and expand the UK’s creative sector.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-british-designers-benefit-from-2-million-government-funding – The UK government has allocated £2 million to support emerging British fashion designers through the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN programme. This funding will assist designers in showcasing their work at London Fashion Week, providing them with opportunities to build and sustain their businesses. The initiative highlights the government’s commitment to nurturing new talent and promoting the UK’s fashion industry on the global stage, aligning with the broader goals of the Creative Industries Sector Vision to foster growth and innovation.
- https://www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk/bfcnews/4766/LONDON-FASHION-WEEK-TO-RECEIVE-2MILLION-GOVERNMENT-FUNDING-TO-SUPPORT-THE-SHOWCASING-OF-EMERGING-BRITISH-DESIGNERS – The British Fashion Council (BFC) has received £2 million in government funding to support the showcasing of emerging British designers at London Fashion Week. This investment is part of the government’s broader strategy to enhance the UK’s creative industries, providing designers with financial support and mentoring to develop their businesses. The funding underscores the importance of the fashion sector within the UK’s creative economy and aims to foster the growth of new talent in the industry.
- https://www.britishfashioncouncil.co.uk/business-support-awards/BFC-NEWGEN – The British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN programme offers support to emerging fashion designers, including financial grants, showcasing opportunities at London Fashion Week, and business mentoring. Established in 1993, NEWGEN has been instrumental in launching the careers of numerous successful designers. The programme focuses on nurturing creativity and innovation, aiming to build sustainable businesses for the future of the fashion industry. It encompasses various categories, including ready-to-wear and accessories, and is open to designers with a strong aesthetic and innovative approach to design.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creative-industries-sector-vision/creative-industries-sector-vision-a-joint-plan-to-drive-growth-build-talent-and-develop-skills – The UK’s Creative Industries Sector Vision outlines a collaborative plan between the government and industry to unlock the growth potential of the creative sector. The vision sets ambitious goals, including adding £50 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) by 2030 and supporting one million additional jobs across the UK. It details specific actions to achieve these objectives, such as investing in creative clusters, enhancing skills development, and increasing international exposure for UK creative businesses. The plan reflects a strategic approach to fostering a thriving creative economy.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents a new 10-year plan, with specific figures and initiatives, indicating originality. However, similar initiatives have been announced in the past, such as the £60 million boost for creative industries in January 2025 ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/60-million-boost-for-creative-industries-to-turbocharge-growth?utm_source=openai)). The presence of a press release suggests a high freshness score, but the overlap with previous announcements warrants attention. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creative-industries-sector-vision?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Direct quotes from Laura Weir, CEO of the British Fashion Council, are included. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes is recommended to verify their originality. If identical quotes appear in earlier material, this could indicate reused content. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creative-industries-sector-vision/creative-industries-sector-vision-a-joint-plan-to-drive-growth-build-talent-and-develop-skills?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. However, press releases are often promotional and may lack independent verification. The British Fashion Council is a reputable organisation, but its involvement in the press release suggests potential bias. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creative-industries-sector-vision/creative-industries-sector-vision-a-joint-plan-to-drive-growth-build-talent-and-develop-skills?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The plan’s objectives align with previous government initiatives, such as the £60 million boost for creative industries announced in January 2025 ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/60-million-boost-for-creative-industries-to-turbocharge-growth?utm_source=openai)). The focus on the fashion industry and the establishment of a new Supply Chain Centre are plausible and consistent with current industry challenges. However, the lack of independent reporting on this specific plan raises questions about its immediate impact. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creative-industries-sector-vision?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents a new 10-year plan for the UK’s creative industries, with specific initiatives and funding allocations. While the presence of a press release suggests freshness, the overlap with previous announcements and the lack of independent reporting raise questions about its originality and immediate impact. Further verification of the quotes and independent coverage is recommended to assess the plan’s credibility fully.
