Select committee: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Conclusion 38

First Report - British film and high-end television Published 10 Apr 2025 Addressed to Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Conclusion (the committee's words)
The British film and HETV industry benefits hugely from the flexibility afforded by a predominantly freelance workforce, but in return both it and the Government need to do more to support freelancers when they are out of work. (Conclusion, Paragraph 135) 105

From: Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, First Report - British film and high-end television (HC 328), 10 April 2025

Government response

The government responded to the whole report on 3 July 2025 (deadline 10 July 2025).

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government says it "fully support[s] the fundamental tenets of the report" and sets out responses to each recommendation, agreeing with some, declining others and keeping several under consideration.

  • On the UK Global Screen Fund the government says "We agree" and has committed, within a new £75 million Screen Growth Package (2026–2029), to scaling it up from £7 million to £18 million per year.
  • It does not plan a specific review of the Enterprise Investment Scheme changes, has "no plans to introduce a levy on SVoD services", and does not plan to rejoin Creative Europe.
  • On freelancers, DCMS "will appoint a creative freelance champion", with a champion appointed in 2025, rather than a commissioner, which it says would take longer to implement.
  • On AI and copyright, the government is "keeping an open mind" and will set out an economic impact assessment and a report within nine months of Royal Assent of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error