The panel discussion focused on the findings of the 2026 Creative Industries Skills Audits, a comprehensive research project conducted by Work Advance and the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre. The creative industries represent one of the UK’s primary sectors of international advantage, employing nearly 2.5 million people (accounting for approximately 7% of the total workforce). Over the last decade, the sector has grown around four times faster than the wider UK economy and is backed by a 10-year sector plan alongside over £380 million in public funding. However, to sustain this growth, the sector is projected to require 366,000 additional workers by 2030 while navigating severe skills gaps and structural curriculum challenges.