An independent review of job quality and working practices across the UK's creative industries, for the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre.
In January 2022, the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre began an independent review of job quality and working practices in the UK's creative industries, to tackle head-on concerns about the structural features of creative labour markets.
Over a year, the Good Work Review examined thousands of data points, reviewed hundreds of studies on creative work, and heard from more than 120 stakeholders across all four UK nations.
The Review paints a mixed picture, and calls on governments, industry bodies and creative businesses to commit explicitly to good work for all creative workers. It sets out four strategic priorities: strengthening the baseline of protection and support for creative workers; driving improvements in management and workplace practices; enhancing professional development and progression; and improving worker representation and voice.
Across these priorities, 16 policy recommendations provide a basis for connected national roadmaps to advance good work across the creative sector in each part of the UK. The Review has had wide-ranging impact, and is a rare example of evidence shaping policy quickly. Good Work is now an explicit priority in the Creative Industries Sector Vision and Sector Plan. Following the Review, DCMS and the Creative Industries Council developed a joint Good Work Review Action Plan, the UK Government appointed Creative Freelance Champions, and the BFI funded a pilot Good Work Industry Support Programme in screen. In 2026, arts funders across all four nations signed a shared commitment to Good and Fair Work, based on the principles set out in the Review.
Good Work Review
Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, 2023
Heather Carey and Lesley Giles, Work Advance
Dave O’ Brien, University of Sheffield
Revisiting job quality in creative work, three years on from the Good Work Review