Creative-sector growth is encouraging. Your own pipeline still needs evidence

The national picture

DCMS’s provisional estimates put the creative industries’ contribution to UK gross value added at £145.8 billion in 2024, or 5.5% of the UK total. The sector’s GVA grew by an estimated 4.6% in real terms between 2023 and 2024, compared with 1.0% for the economy overall. These annual estimates were published in February 2026 and remain provisional.

DCMS: Gross Value Added 2024, provisional estimates (opens in a new tab)

The part a headline cannot tell you

GVA measures economic contribution, not the value of open tenders. The sector includes a broad mix of activities; the report says IT, software and computer services drove the increase. National growth should not be treated as evidence that every creative discipline, region or small business saw the same improvement.

DCMS: Gross Value Added 2024, provisional estimates (opens in a new tab)

Our view: measure what reaches your business

For a small agency or freelancer, a more useful weekly record is practical: which relevant opportunities appeared, which you qualified for, which you pursued and how much time you spent. Add outcomes when you know them. Keep an unsuccessful application separate from a brief you correctly decided not to pursue.

A large list can make a pipeline look healthy while concealing poor fit. An attractive headline budget might cover several years, many suppliers or services outside your capability. A smaller project with clear deliverables and a manageable response may deserve more attention.

Set a realistic bid-time allowance and review it against actual outcomes. If preparing applications consistently crowds out paid delivery, tighten the initial fit checks before increasing the volume.

These are editorial suggestions, not results measured from Tenderspot members. Our research sample cannot establish market-wide supply, typical success rates or a return on subscription spending.