Creators call for more government backing in new YouTube consultation report
New insights show that creators want more recognition, long-term support, and better infrastructure.
The UK’s creator economy
YouTube just dropped a “Creator Consultation” report which made one thing clear: creators want more support from the UK government.
From a lack of structure, to unclear career paths, and minimal representation, many creators feel that the current systems fail to support them properly.
This isn’t unusual. Government bodies are often slow to react to technological change- just look at their approach to addressing AI and copyright in the creative space. However, creators are now becoming an increasingly vital part of the UK’s cultural and economic output, and they think now is the time for change.
The numbers paint a big picture
In 2023 alone, YouTube’s creative ecosystem contributed over £2 billion to the UK economy and supported more than 45,000 jobs in the process. Despite this, YouTube’s Consultation of 10,000 UK creators highlights the lack of government support available to the sector’s long-term growth.
Here are the key takeaways:
- 56% of UK creators say they don’t have a voice in shaping policies that impact their work.
- 43% feel their value isn’t recognised by the wider creative industry
- Only 17% feel supported with training and skills development.
- Just 7% feel supported when it comes to securing financial support, such as business loans
So, while creators are making a real impact, many feel like they’re doing it with minimal support.
So, what are creators asking for?
The report outlines several recommendations that could better support creators, including musicians:
- Government recognition: Appoint a dedicated Minister for the creator economy within The Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
- Industry representation: Ensure creators are included in councils across creative sectors.
- Skills & training: Develop new training programmes and short courses to ensure creators thrive creatively, commercially, and technically.
- Access to finance: Update HRMC’s business codes and financial guidance to make it clearer for creator-led businesses.
- Filming and infrastructure: Provide guidance for filming in public, and relax filming permits for creators with small business made up of small crews and and basic equipment
What could this achieve?
Smaller creators often lack the resources, or the influence, to push for change on their own in the same way that corporations such as YouTube can.
Creators will be hoping that these recommendations can help them to transform their passions into viable, sustainable businesses, while helping policymakers recognise just how vital this sector is to the UK economy.
Why this matters for music
Musicians are often at the heart of the creator economy. Many are now building their careers through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and beyond.
Just like with non-music related content creators, artists can also face the same challenges. Royalty payments alone rarely provide a sustainable income- especially for independent artists. Building a career today often means learning how to juggle content creation, marketing, and fan engagement across multiple platforms, all at once.
If governments take these recommendations seriously, we could see a more stable and supported creative economy in the UK. That means more support for creators and artists, more opportunities, and hopefully leads to better content for audiences to enjoy.
Final thoughts
This isn’t just a YouTube issue. It’s a creator issue.
From songwriters to vloggers, creators are making huge cultural contributions. They shape what we watch, the music we listen to, and everything in between.
With the right support, they could do even more- building careers while also sustaining the UK’s broader creative industries well into the future.