Minister Ian Murray used a British Screen Forum keynote to outline the government’s policy direction for broadcasting and the wider screen economy. He linked forthcoming BBC Charter Review work, implementation of the Media Act and action on Ofcom’s Transmission Critical recommendations to a wider agenda on investment, skills and access to finance, aimed at giving the sector stability in a market defined by global platforms and abundant content.
Murray said the BBC Charter Review will be conducted with “seriousness, care and diligence”, balancing independence with accountability to licence fee payers. He acknowledged recent editorial controversies as reminders of the obligations that come with public trust, while emphasising the broad support for an independent BBC. The objective, he said, is to protect quality and trusted news while enabling the corporation to support jobs, skills and creative output across the UK.
He confirmed continued implementation of the Media Act with a focus on enabling public service broadcasters to evolve. A central priority is discoverability: high‑quality PSB content should be easy for audiences to find. Murray aligned the government with Ofcom’s call for prominence across major video‑sharing platforms and connected environments, on fair commercial terms for all parties, and for regulatory standards to reflect the full breadth of broadcast‑type media.
Acting on Ofcom’s Transmission Critical report, ministers intend to keep regulation in step with shifting viewing habits and the expanding definition of “television”. The approach places responsibilities on platforms and services as well as PSBs, seeking to preserve shared national moments without constraining choice. Murray framed this as a response to an attention economy in which what is made prominent shapes what people watch and trust.
The minister set this programme against immediate economic headwinds-energy costs, volatile commissioning and tighter finance-that are affecting producers and broadcasters. He argued that government cannot remove all pressures but can improve the operating environment through a modern Industrial Strategy and a Creative Industries Sector Plan published in June, sustaining a mixed model in which commercial players and public service media continue to anchor a world‑leading screen sector.
On investment, the government is deploying a £75 million Screen Growth Package and a £30 million Games Growth Package. Murray said the funds are intended to strengthen independent UK content, attract inward investment and promote British IP globally. For production companies, the packages are positioned to support scaling and the formation of international partnerships in a competitive market.
Research and development was highlighted through continued backing for UK Research and Innovation’s creative R&D clusters and funding for CoSTAR’s National R&D Lab. The aim is to accelerate the use of creative technology across production, enabling UK firms to design, test and deliver content more efficiently and to higher technical standards.
Access to finance is being addressed via additional support for the British Business Bank, a working group on IP‑backed lending and a planned “single front door” for investment guidance. Murray noted that some producers still rely on personal property as collateral, which constrains growth. The policy intent is to normalise lending against screen IP, reduce friction for investors and give SMEs clearer routes to scale.
To widen opportunity, the government is launching a £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund and adding £100 million for Creative Industries Clusters. Local leaders will be able to invest in regional strengths-studios, VFX, games hubs-so that talent has access to sustainable work closer to home. The funding is designed to broaden participation and build durable local pipelines.
Workforce measures include targeted investment in the National Film and Television School, the BFI Academy and the creative careers service. Ministers will appoint a Creative Freelance Champion within the Creative Industries Council to advocate for freelancers, and will work with industry on the Good Work Review action plan and the development of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority to improve job quality and raise standards.
Looking to 2035, Murray set a benchmark for the UK to be recognised as the best place to create, invest in and grow creative businesses. Delivering that outcome, he said, requires partnership between government, Ofcom, PSBs, streamers, studios and producers. The policy package-charter review, prominence rules, targeted investment, improved finance, regional growth and workforce standards-sets the direction of travel for the next phase of the screen sector’s development.