Creative Industries: Freelance Champion

Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury Excerpts

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what progress they have made in the appointment of the freelance champion for the creative industries as announced in the Creative Industries Sector Plan on 23 June 2025.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Twycross) (Lab)]

Freelancers play a vital role in the creative industries, which is why we committed to appoint a freelance champion in the creative industries sector plan. Since then, we have been working closely with industry to develop the scope of the role. In two weeks’ time, my colleague, Ian Murray, who is the Minister in the other place responsible for the creative industries, will hold a round table with freelancers’ representatives in the sector to finalise discussions. We will make an appointment as swiftly as possible after that.

[Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (LD)]

I thank the Minister for her response. As she says, freelancers are an essential part of our creative industries and these Benches have been asking for a freelance commissioner for a long time. We thank the Government for the champion. The Covid pandemic exposed the truth: a financial and benefits system that does not take into consideration the fragmented employment practices of the creative sector. Can the Minister assure us that not only the remit but the powers of the champion will be significant enough to work across government to enable change and end the discrimination that freelancers experience; in particular, in access to mortgages, loans, credit and pensions?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The champion-type role appointed by the Government is designed exactly for the purpose of making sure that these conversations are had and action is taken across government. We are very keen for the person who is appointed to this role to be involved in developing their own work plan, in discussion with the department, the Minister and the sector. The appointee will produce a work plan in their first months in the role, which will set out their priorities and planned actions. I might suggest that they have a conversation with the noble Baroness in that first period, so that she can be assured that they are looking at the right things that will support what is a vital part of the creative industries, but also one that has particular issues, as she outlined.