Creative Industries: Freelance Champion

Baroness Stedman-Scott Excerpts

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Viscount Colville of Culross (CB)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Buscombe (Con)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con)]

My Lords—

[Noble Lords]

This side!

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)]

We will hear from the Conservative Benches next, then the Labour Benches.

[Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con)]

My Lords, I genuinely congratulate the Government on the appointment of a person to look at these things. Notwithstanding what my noble friend said, the creative industries have been an absolute powerhouse in creating opportunities for young people. When the Kickstart scheme went live—I was involved—they embraced it, especially the people at Pinewood Studios. They gave them opportunities, such as James Bond, and some of us might remember the Ealing comedies. This was very good, but please can the Minister tell us whether the Government have done any impact assessment on the Employment Rights Act and the national insurance hikes? I think we will find that they have stopped opportunities for young people, so I hope it is something that the commissioner will look at.

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

One of the key priorities for this Government is to make creative careers accessible for everyone, including by making sure that we get career opportunities for more people from diverse backgrounds. I will have to come back to the noble Baroness on those points. We want to make sure that we get join-up, on which this freelance champion will engage.