UKEVENTS, the umbrella organisation representing the
UK’s exhibitions, conferences, meetings, cultural, and live events industries,
has called on the chancellor to back the sector ahead of the 2025 autumn budget.
In
its official budget submission, UKEVENTS: The Opportunity for Growth, the
partnership outlines how strategic Treasury measures could unlock an additional
£14-18 billion in annual trade and consumer activity, supporting up to 100,000
new jobs and generating substantial new tax revenues.
The
UK events industry currently delivers £61.5 billion in direct consumer spending
and, according to best estimates, drives more than £200 billion in trade,
research, and innovation each year, supporting approximately 700,000 jobs
across the country.
The
submission urges HM Treasury to:
• Extend Treasury-backed reliefs for
new and regional event productions;
• Expand the VisitBritain Business
Events Growth Programme, which already delivers a 33:1 return on investment;
• Reform business rates and stabilise
VAT for event venues and suppliers; and
• Explore National Insurance reliefs
for high-employment, event-driven industries.
These
targeted fiscal measures, UKEVENTS argues, would accelerate growth, strengthen
the UK’s competitiveness against rival destinations such as Paris, Dubai and
Singapore, and sustain jobs that share skills with the wider creative
industries, particularly at a time when global production incentives are
shifting.
Glenn
Bowdin, chair of UKEVENTS, said: “Events are a proven growth engine for the UK
economy. They drive trade, tourism, inward investment, and regional
regeneration, all the priorities that align with the Government’s growth
agenda.
“With
modest, targeted support, the events industry can deliver exceptional returns
for the Treasury, create thousands of skilled jobs, and reinforce the UK’s
global standing as a hub for innovation, creativity and connection.”
David
Tremmill, vice chair of UKEVENTS, added: “Our industry already contributes more
than £200 billion in economic value and supports over 700,000 people across
every corner of the UK.
“We
are asking for recognition, not rescue. By extending proven incentive schemes
and modernising outdated fiscal policies, the Government can unleash the full
potential of a sector that delivers tangible economic, social and cultural
dividends for the nation.”
The
submission also highlights the sector’s ability to address regional
inequalities and deliver placemaking, community cohesion, and prosperity across
the UK, vital components of levelling-up and local growth agendas.
UKEVENTS
is calling for cross-departmental collaboration between HM Treasury, DCMS, DBT,
and DfE to align fiscal policy with the sector’s growth capacity, ensuring the
UK remains globally competitive in attracting major conferences, exhibitions,
and cultural events.
“Now
is the time to act,” Bowdin added. “The UK events industry is not just back - it’s growing. With the right framework, it can lead the world.”
