Member Article

Plans to boost the creative economy

New proposals to boost the UK’s creative economy – including fashion, music, computer games and advertising - are up for consultation. The proposals, which mark the first major milestone of the Government’s Creative Economy Programme, identify barriers to the growth of small and medium sized businesses, deficiencies in business skills and education, and high city centre rents. The creative industries account for more than eight per cent of GDP, more than four per cent of our export income and provide jobs for two million people. Globally, the market value of the world’s creative industries was estimated at $1.3 trillion in 2005. Recommendations for breaking down these barriers include: re-assessment of business education in the creative sector and cash incentives for investment in management development; a network of UK Creative Ambassadors to promote small and medium sized companies abroad; “Creativity Towers” - new models for establishing concentrations of specialist creative workspace and activity space in new developments - the idea being to provide flexible, affordable homes for creative businesses; and a creative industries ‘dating agency’ to broker and co-ordinate new relationships and partnerships. A full copy of the report can be accessed at Creative Economy Programme website www.cep.culture.gov.uk and welcomes anyone with an interest in the UK’s creative industries to have their say.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .