Oral Answers to Questions

Rupa Huq Excerpts

Thursday 12th November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Ian Murray]

I congratulate Simon on setting up his business. It is true that 67% of all creative industries activity happens in London alone, and an extra 18% in the south-east. The region is a super-cluster, and this Government are doing all we can to ensure that we support the industry right across the United Kingdom. The BBC has built hubs across the country, including in Cardiff, Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow, and they provide the ecosystem that allows companies to thrive. London will remain one of our super-clusters, and the funding that we are putting into the creative industries goes right across the country.

[Dr Rupa Huq (Ealing Central and Acton) (Lab)]

To get growth in every postcode, surely we must junk the Tories’ crude anti-London formula that saw the whole of the capital disadvantaged, including Ealing Studios—the home of comedy—and Acton’s Versa Studios, where “Big Brother” is made. Can Ministers start the rebalancing by introducing an unscripted tax credit? It has worked wonders in Ireland, where it is at 20%.

[Ian Murray]

I do not know whether that was a question to me or a challenge to the hon. Member for Farnham and Bordon (Gregory Stafford), who asked the original question. The Government are fully committed to funding the creative industries wherever they are across the country. The Prime Minister has challenged all of us in the Government to create growth in every postcode, but in order to do so we need creativity in every postcode, because we know that there is talent everywhere, but not opportunity.