YouTube has launched a nationwide consultation to identify solutions for UK-based content creators facing business growth challenges.

The consultation, conducted in partnership with independent consultancy Public First, aims to gather creator input on policy recommendations for government and industry stakeholders to support creator business development over the next decade.

In a blog post, YouTube cites research from Oxford Economics, which indicates that more than 15,000 creators and partners in the UK currently employ staff to support their YouTube operations. These channels function as media production enterprises, with 85% of UK creator watchtime originating from international viewers.

The consultation identifies five primary barriers affecting creator business growth:

1. Industry Education: Creators report difficulties finding formally trained staff, often requiring significant investment in training new employees or recruiting international talent.
2. Studio Availability: Content producers outside London face limited access to professional production facilities.
3. Filming Regulations: Complex and inconsistent public filming permit requirements create obstacles for content production.
4. Financial Services: Traditional financial institutions do not recognize creators as a distinct professional category, complicating access to business loans and insurance products.
5. Industry Integration: Creators experience limited access to established media industry events and awards programs, particularly outside London.

“If the UK is to reap the rewards of this creator boom in the form of investment into the country and global soft power being exported out, then the Government needs to understand what conditions will best support this germination of talent,” said Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the Culture, Media, and Sport Committee (CMS), in a statement.

The consultation will run for several weeks through an online survey, with findings scheduled for release next year. YouTube plans to use the results to develop recommendations for government officials, industry leaders, and advertisers to address creator challenges across the United Kingdom.

The UK government recently responded to the CMS Committee’s report on creator remuneration, addressing concerns about copyright protection, freelancer support, and music streaming revenue distribution in the $162B creative sector. While acknowledging the sector’s significant economic contribution, the government stops short of implementing several key recommendations.