YouTube content creators contributed £2.2 billion to the UK economy in 2024 and supported 45,000 jobs, according to a report by Oxford Economics. This report coincides with the launch of an all-party parliamentary group aimed at representing UK creators and influencers. The group is co-chaired by Feryal Clark, a Labour MP for Enfield North, who highlighted that creators have long been undervalued in political discussions.
British content creator Lilly Sabri, who has approximately 6.5 million followers on YouTube, expressed support for both the report’s findings and the establishment of the parliamentary group. She noted the ongoing debate about whether content creation constitutes a “real job” and the potential for a sustainable career in this field.
Although all-party parliamentary groups are informal and hold no official power, they serve to provide policymakers with insights from various sectors, including the creative community. Sabri and others view the new group as significant recognition of the challenges faced by content creators, which range from access to training and funding to practical issues like finding studio spaces and obtaining film permits.
Clark emphasized that the group intends to address these challenges and promote creators as innovative leaders, aiming to position the UK as a hub of creativity and ambition. Sabri also highlighted her qualifications as a professional, asserting that YouTube has been foundational to her career, enabling her to launch multiple businesses and employ a substantial number of people.
This initiative represents a growing intersection between digital influencers and political engagement, as seen this summer when Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted 90 influencers at a reception at 10 Downing Street. In the US, the White House has also included content creators in press briefings alongside traditional journalists, reflecting a broader trend of inclusivity in political discourse.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0knpm6v36go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss