Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of adding a representative from the comedy industry to the Creative Industries Council.

The Government recognises the significant contribution comedy makes to our creative industries, cultural life and national wellbeing. Arts Council England (ACE) has awarded more than £12 million between 2010/11 and 2024/25 to projects or organisations identified with comedy. I have engaged extensively with the comedy sector in the last year, including hosting a roundtable discussion in March. Arts Council have also increased their engagement, running a session with the sector to ensure their better access to and knowledge of funding opportunities. We will continue to work closely with the sector to ensure it continues to be able to thrive as a fantastic British creative industry.

The Creative Industries Council includes representation from across the UK and covers the breadth of the creative industries. Members of the Council were appointed in 2025 for a term of up to three years and government will formally review and refresh its membership at that point. We are working with the sector to ensure they can contribute to the work of the CIC, including through CIC working groups on comedy sector representation at the Creative Industries Council. In the interim and as a first step, we are going to discuss with them their participation in our working groups that cover innovation, finance, skills and trade. The government has also appointed Freelance Champions and has committed to strengthening the evidence base regarding comedy's economic and social impact.