Creative Industries: Freelance Champion

Lord Wigley Excerpts

Thursday 22nd January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Buscombe (Con)]

My Lords—

[Lord Wigley (PC)]

My Lords—

[Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall (Lab)]

My Lords—

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[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords—

[Lord Wigley (PC)]

My Lords—

[Viscount Colville of Culross (CB)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I am happy to take that back to the department. I do not have a list of the make-up of the council, but I will take the point back and write to the noble Earl.

[Lord Wigley (PC)]

My Lords, I draw attention to my registered interests. Does the Minister accept that creative practitioners suffered disproportionately during the Covid lockdown and many from the impact of Brexit? Their predicaments are many and varied; in these circumstances, will she give an assurance that, when the appointment is made and is effective, it will relate to all the many and varied people in this sector to make sure that there is a proper channel to hear their needs?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

The noble Lord describes exactly what a freelance champion should do: to be a representative and voice for all those across the sector. I will make sure that I forward the working spec to all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate.