Video platform also launched Creator Incubator with the National Film & TV School

Brandon B YouTube

YouTube has called on the UK government to recognise creators in policymaking. 

Formal recognition would mean creators are factored into official economic impact data reporting, are represented on government Creative bodies, and receive creator-specific guidance from HMRC on taxes and finances. YouTube believes this would help to grow the sector, which it claims is worth over £2 billion to the economy and supports over 45,000 jobs. It has also produced a series of policy recommendations, which you can see below. 

In addition, YouTube is partnering with the National Film & TV School to launch a Creator Incubator, a new programme designed to cultivate technical skills among the next generation of creators. Participants will learn to scope, plan, and build their publication schedule, with the aim of improving audience engagement and the production quality of their work. 

The first cohrt of 12 students will begin the course in January 2026, with applications open until October 2025. combines five in-person workshops at NFTS in Beaconsfield with regular online sessions. Graduates will complete the course with an NFTS Diploma and a fully launched, strategically developed YouTube channel, and it is led by former BBC Studios, Channel 4 and ITV exec Anna Cronin. 

YouTube recommendations

 - Government Recognition: Formally appoint a Minister for Creators, by acknowledging the creator ecosystem under a Minister’s roles and responsibilities, particularly given the export opportunity for creators. 

 - Industry Representation: Ensure creators are represented on the Creative Industries Taskforce/Council alongside the UK’s other leading creative sectors.

 - Skills & Training: Build on the skills announcement in the sector plan to develop a new accreditation system for modular training, whereby creators can access short courses that develop business, creative and technical skills using “microcredits” eligible for the Growth and Skills Levy. 

 - Access to Finance: Update HMRC’s SIC codes to better cater to the creative industries, with a clear category for “creators” ‒ and update the Business Income Manual to provide more tailored guidance for creative workers. This should build on the Sector Plan’s commitments on access to finance.

 - Filming and Infrastructure: Publish national guidance regarding filming in public, with small business exemptions that allow Creators a right to film without a permit where they are using small crews and basic equipment.  

This comes after the video platform published its Creator Consultation, which was produced in partnership with Public First. It surveyed over 10,000 creators, almost 9,500 of which were based in the UK, between December 2024 and February 2025. 

The survey found that over half (56%) of UK creators don’t feel they have a voice in shaping government policies that impact their work, and nearly half (43%) of UK creators think their value is not recognised by the broader creative industry.

Only 17% of respondents feel adequately supported in essential areas like skills and training, and 7% believe they have enough support with access to capital and business loans. 13% said the same about access to studio spaces and just 9% felt they had enough support in securing filming locations and acquiring permits. 

Alison Lomax, YouTube MD for UK & Ireland said: “It’s been incredible to see the response from thousands of talented UK creators to this first-of-its-kind consultation. At YouTube, we’re committed to empowering creators and ensuring their voices directly shape the future of Britain’s £115bn creative industries. We´re also delighted to see such strong alignment between our creator consultation recommendations and the government’s Creative Industries Sector Plan.

“Drawing on the Consultation´s findings, we are advocating for concrete policies—such as enhanced skills and training initiatives and improved access to finance—that will drive meaningful change for this crucial, often underserved industry. These advancements will ensure the influence, innovation, and talent of the UK creator economy can play a valuable role in the future growth of our overall creative industries and as a powerful export around the world.”

YouTube creator and Chicken Shop Date host Amelia Dimoldenberg said: “Creators form such an important part of our economy yet we could still do more to give clear pathways for young creators to develop the skills and resources needed to reach their full potential. We should support and nourish young, aspiring creators at the start of their journey who want to explore a variety of options and pathways, and in turn help them build teams which will help open the right opportunities to them.”

Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “This Government firmly recognises the integral role that creators play in the UK’s world-leading creative industries, helping to drive billions into the economy and supporting more than 45,000 jobs.

“We understand more can be done to help creators reach their full potential, which is why we are backing them through our new Creative Industries Sector Plan. With commitments including appointing a creative freelance champion and increased support from the British Business Bank, we are determined to help creators thrive and drive even more growth in the sector.”