From the margins to the
mainstream - Government unveils new action plan for the creative industries
DEPARTMENT FOR
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (017\2008) issued by The
Government News Network on 22 February 0200
JOINT PRESS
RELEASE: DCMS/BERR/DIUS
* 5,000 apprenticeships to help people from all backgrounds make
the most of their creative skills
* An independent review to investigate the path to next
generation broadband
* The World Creative Business Conference - an annual event
bringing together world leaders in the creative and financial sectors
* Steps to protect intellectual property, including a commitment
to take action on illegal file sharing by 2009, if industry fails
to reach a voluntary solution.
The first ever comprehensive plan for Government support for the
creative industries is published today, marking their shift from
the margins to the mainstream of economic and policy thinking.
The strategy, 'Creative Britain: New Talents for the New
Economy' makes 26 key commitments for Government and industry
across every stage of the creative process. It is designed to turn
talent into jobs and help creative businesses thrive in the
international market. It recognises the growing success story
that is Britain's creative economy and seeks to provide the
industries with an unrivalled pool of talent to draw on, and the
same formal, structured support associated with other industries.
Publishing the action plan today, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said:
"Making a career out of your passion and a business from
your ideas - that's what we want to help Britain achieve.
"So now is the time to recognise the growing success story
that is Britain's creative economy and build on it. The
creative industries must move from the margins to the mainstream
of economic and policy thinking, as we look to create the jobs of
the future.
"Our vision is of a Britain in 10 years time where the local
economies in our biggest cities are driven by creativity.
That's why we need a clear action plan for both Government
and industry to keep our competitive advantage. We want to take
raw talent, nurture it, and give people the best possible chance
of building a successful business."
The starting point of the comprehensive strategy is unlocking
creative talent, helping it flourish and turning it into jobs.
Routes into the creative industries for people of all backgrounds
will be developed. New commitments announced today include:
* securing 5,000 apprenticeships across the creative industries
by 2013. BBC at mediacity:uk, Tate Liverpool, Universal Music
Group and Monkeydevil Design are among the first to sign up to
offer high quality training
* working with the industries' most successful creators,
including Aardman Animations, EMI, and the Royal Opera House to
develop five new 'centres of excellence' in creative skills
* exploring the creation of a 14 - 25 Academic Hub for the
creative industries, which will bring schools and art colleges and
universities together
Minister for Intellectual Property, Baroness Morgan of Drefelin said:
"The Government is committed to doing all it can to equip
individuals from all walks of life with the skills they need to
realise their creative ambitions, and to promote creative
collaboration between employers, community groups and education
and training providers.
"In working towards 5,000 creative apprenticeships, we will
offer an invaluable opportunity for people to make a real
contribution to the vitality and continued success of the sector.
These apprenticeships, designed by employers, will help companies
extend and improve the pool of talent at their disposal.
"The Government is committed to safeguarding the
intellectual property rights of those who make a living from their
creativity, ensuring the long-term economic viability of our
creative enterprises."
A comprehensive package of measures to support business has also
been developed following extensive consultation with the
industries. Their priorities included greater protection for
intellectual property, and help for creative businesses to access
finance and grow. Commenting on the independent review into next
generation broadband, Business and Competitiveness Minister Shriti
Vadera said:
"The way we will do business, access many government
services, as well as information and entertainment will change
beyond recognition over our lifetime and these new technologies
will push the boundaries of today's communications infrastructure.
"We must be ready to respond to future technological
developments which will place unprecedented challenges for our
communications networks over the coming decade. "That is why
we need to look ahead into the future now. We need to prepare the
way for the UK to adopt groundbreaking new technologies to ensure
that we do not get left behind - competitively or technologically.
"High speed broadband is also vital for the growth of
Britain's creative industries, which already contribute some
£60 billion to the UK economy. We must continue to encourage
expansion of the sector by providing the right kind of advice and
support, such as through the Business Link network and Enterprise
Capital Funds."
Networks of 'regional beacons' will be established
across the country to help creative industries make the most of
business support available. Fund managers will be encouraged to
bid for Enterprise Capital Funds, and Arts Council England will
provide venture capital to small creative enterprises. Their
support will be directed at projects that combine artistic
excellence with commercial potential.
The Government supports current discussions between internet
service providers and rights holders for action on illegal file
sharing and our strong preference remains for a voluntary
solution. However, to date no voluntary agreement has been
reached, and we will shortly consult on options for a statutory
solution, with a view to implementing legislation by April 2009.
This consultation is in parallel with the voluntary discussions
and we will stop the statutory "clock" if and when a
voluntary solution is reached. At the same time, we will work to
promote a greater understanding of the value of intellectual
property and step up enforcement action starting with a pilot
'Fake Free London' campaign.
We need to give our creative industries a powerful global
presence and the opportunity to compare themselves with the very
best in the world. The centrepiece of this will be the World
Creative Business Conference, a new annual international event
which we hope will become the equivalent of Davos for the creative industries.
The dynamic strategy contains 26 firm commitments for Government
and industry to help creative professionals and businesses thrive
at every stage of the process. The action plan is designed to
evolve and respond to developments in this fast moving sector. The
high level of consultation with industry that has been central to
the creative economy programme will continue, with joint
Government and industry working groups ensuring that the
commitments are implemented. An interactive website will be set up
as a mechanism through which the programme can evolve, and provide
a forum for ongoing engagement.
http://www.culture.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
1. ''Creative Britain: New Talents for the New
Economy' is published today by the Departments for Culture,
Media and Sport (DCMS), Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform
(BERR) and Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) and is
available from http://www.culture.gov.uk
2. By 2013 we expect that the creative industries will provide up
to 5,000 formal apprenticeships a year. As a major signal of the
Government's intent, we have challenged creative industries
to provide these opportunities across the country and already have
commitments from All Out Productions, Bluecoat, BBC at
mediacity:uk, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centini, Everyman and
Playhouse Theatres, FACT, ITV Granada, LOCOG, Monkeydevil Design,
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council, Liverpool Biennial,
National Museums Liverpool, National Trust, NCSoft, Objective
North, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Royal Opera House, Royal
Shakespeare Company, Sage Gateshead, Tate Liverpool, UK Unsigned,
Unity Theatre and Universal Music Group.
Comments from the creative industries:
Wayne Hemingway MBE, HemingwayDesign:
"Until recently the creative industries were seen as a bit
of a Cinderella part of the economy, but things have now changed,
as they should. We're second only to the service sector in
our contribution to the economy and its good news that the
Government now recognises our importance. British design and
creative community is known throughout the world for its unique
approach, so it's really important that we encourage our
young talent to join the industry and carry it on into the future."
Professor Jimmy Choo OBE:
'Having worked in London for over 20 years, it is good to
see that the Creative Economy Programme will support and develop
this vibrant industry even further to maximise the potential for
British fashion in the international arena.'
Feargal Sharkey, Chief Executive, British Music Rights:
"The Creative Economy Programme is an incredibly important
initiative and it is uplifting to see government take the
important role of the creator so seriously. For many, music sits
at the heart of the UK's identity, cutting through barriers
of class and nationality, and this country's reputation for
producing fantastic, cutting-edge songwriters, composers and
performers is second to none. More than that, our artists are
fuelling the new digital economy not only of today, but of
tomorrow - and it is time we all stood up and recognised the
social, cultural and economic impact of their work. "
Moray MacLennan, Chairman Europe, M&C Saatchi and IPA President:
"The new DCMS strategy document is an important event which
will mark the moment when government acknowledged that
'Creative Britain' will provide our future competitive
edge. It's up to us as practitioners to seize the opportunity
to be the creative hub for the world. The IPA is fully supportive
of this programme and keen to play its part in bringing it to fruition."
Dr Frances Corner, Head of College, London College of Fashion:
"It is very positive to see how the Strategy Paper outlines
a number of clear measures to underpin the work of the Creative
Economy Programme in securing the future for the UK creative and
cultural industries. From the fashion perspective I welcome in
particular a number of initiatives. These include underpinning the
showcasing work of London Fashion Week, which is so critical in
bringing British fashion design talent to the world and meeting
the very real needs of the UK fashion industry for high quality
sample production through the establishment of a high fashion
production hub. Both of these will be significant developments in
helping to position the uniquely creative UK fashion sector in
what is an increasingly competitive global industry."
Ivan Dunleavy, Chief Executive, Pinewood Shepperton plc:
"We welcome the Government's increasing focus on the
cultural and economic contribution of the creative industries and
Britain's role as a creative hub."
David Kester, Chief Executive UK Design Council:
"The brilliant thing about publishing a strategy for the
creative economy is that it recognises how hugely important
creativity is to national success. We can sometimes take for
granted that we live in an open society which allows creativity to
flourish in our young people and across many diverse professions,
such as design, film and music. The creative industries are the
engine room of a modern economy built on ideas and knowledge.
There couldn't be a better era to invest in some targeted
measures that will protect their development in the long term"
KEY FACTS ABOUT THE UK CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
ECONOMIC ESTIMATES
* The Creative Industries accounted for £60 billion, or 7.3per
cent of Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2005.
* The Creative Industries grew by an average of 6per cent per
annum between 1997 and 2005, which is twice as fast as the rest of
the economy.
* In 2006, creative employment totalled 1.9 million jobs. This
comprised just over 1.1 million jobs in the Creative Industries
and almost 800,000 further creative jobs within businesses outside
these industries.
* Total creative employment increased from 1.6m in 1997 to 1.9m
in 2006, an average growth rate of 2per cent per annum, compared
to 1per cent for the whole of the economy over this period.
* Exports of services by the Creative Industries totalled £14.6
billion in 2005, which equates to 4.5per cent of all goods and
services exported.
INDUSTRY STRUCTURE
* The largest 200 creative industry firms account for 50per cent
of total turnover, though concentration ratios vary considerably
by sector.
* Foreign owned firms account for 20per cent of employment and
28per cent of turnover.
PRODUCTIVITY DRIVERS
* Creative industry firms are highly innovative, with 78per cent
of firms classed as "innovation active". Creative
industry firms are also more likely than the average firm to use
"wider innovation" and innovative products account for a
greater share of their turnover.
* The creative industries workforce is highly qualified with
49per cent of employees having at least a degree level
qualification, compared to an economy wide average of 31per cent.
GROWTH ANALYSIS
* Between 1995 and 2005 start-up companies accounted for 48per
cent of turnover growth, most of which occurred in their first
year. Creative industry companies appear to grow slowly in the
years after they start-up.
* Software and computer games comprise the biggest sector and
contribute most to growth, accounting for over 50per cent of
turnover growth between 1995 and 2005.
INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS
International comparisons of the creative industries are very
difficult but most studies put the UK at or near the top. In 2006
the OECD found that the creative industries accounted for a
greater share of GDP in the UK than in Canada, the USA, Australia
or France.
* the creative industries have grown from 5.5per cent in 1997 to
7.3per cent by the latest estimates (which are for 2005 - due to a
time lag for all industry statistics. It's also worth noting
is that much of this growth occurred in the late 1990s and early
00s - in more recent years it's been broadly level).
* a good comparator-sector is construction which was 6per cent by
latest estimates
* the importance of the creative industries and their potentially
increasing importance for the future could be illustrated by
reference to their growth rates (6per cent pa on average, twice
that of the whole economy) and the UK being 'at the vanguard
of the world's creative industries'. For example, most
studies rank the UK at or near the top of the creative
industries' share of the economy, for instance the OECD put
the UK's above USA, Canada, France and Australia in a 2006 study.
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