Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the department is taking to support high growth-potential businesses in the creative industry sector in the East of England.

Creative industries clusters across the UK, including in Norwich, play a crucial role in delivering the growth agenda.

Our Creative Industries Sector Plan published last year includes a strong universal offer to drive growth in the creative industries in every place in the UK, including Norwich and the wider East of England region. It outlines measures to break down barriers such as access to finance, supply of skills, and new support to kickstart innovation and support high-growth potential businesses.

In addition, Arts Council England (ACE) focuses funding on the areas of the cultural sector most at risk, using both dedicated funds and wider investment. Its £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund is focused on supporting organisations, particularly in underserved areas, to protect vulnerable cultural infrastructure and local venues, ensuring access nationwide. This includes a flagship Norwich investment in ‘Creative Arts East'.