By KLTV Newsdesk –

Major investment to boost innovation, skills and growth across the region’s thriving cultural sector

Creative industries in West Yorkshire are set for a multi-million-pound boost after the Government announced £25 million of funding to support businesses, freelancers and young talent in the region.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is one of six UK regions to receive funding through the new Creative Places Growth Fund, which aims to unlock growth and attract investment in creative hotspots outside London.

The money will be used to expand support across industries, including film and TV, music, gaming, fashion, textiles and createch.

Backing creativity nationwide

The £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund will be shared equally between six mayoral regions – Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, North East, West of England, West Midlands and West Yorkshire.

Funding will be devolved to local mayors to target local priorities, helping creative professionals access finance, mentoring and skills programmes.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Creativity has no postcode – whether it’s a musician in Leeds, a filmmaker in Bradford, or a video games developer in Huddersfield.

“We know that it is not one size fits all. That’s why we are committed to growing our creative industries in every corner of the nation as part of our Creative Industries Sector Plan, and hope that this devolved funding will be just what these regions need to make their creative industries the best that they can be.”

“A fair chance to flourish”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, welcomed the announcement, saying it marks a turning point for the region’s creative sector.

“For too long, our creative industries have been disproportionately concentrated in London and the South East, fuelled by talent from the rest of the country.

“Now, this government is working with mayors to reset the dial, giving creatives across the country a fair chance to flourish, without them needing to leave to achieve.

“I’m proud of West Yorkshire for leading the way to this landmark investment, from our multimillion-pound You Can Make It Here programme offering a vital leg-up to freelancers, to our screen and script diversity programme bringing fresh and underrepresented talent into the sector.

“By harnessing this new funding collectively as One Creative North, we will continue to retain, grow and champion the talent that is all around us, building a brighter Britain that works for all.”

Extra support for small creative firms

Alongside the £25 million regional fund, the Government has announced that more than 100 small and medium-sized creative businesses across 12 regions – including West Yorkshire – will share £8 million in grants through the Create Growth Programme.

The grants, ranging from £20,000 to £140,000, will help firms develop new products, access expert mentoring, and attract private investment.

Beneficiaries span sectors such as gaming, music, animation and marketing, with businesses in locations from Greater Manchester to Devon and Cornwall, Hertfordshire to Hull.

Driving long-term growth

The funding forms part of the Government’s wider Creative Industries Sector Plan, which aims to build capacity and innovation across the UK’s creative economy.

In West Yorkshire, the investment will add to the region’s growing reputation as a hub for film, TV and gaming, home to facilities such as Wakefield’s Production Park and networks like Game Republic Ltd.

The devolved funding will begin rolling out from the 2026 financial year, with allocations spread over three years.