Creative industries tell government 'don't dismiss us'

The Creative Industries Federation has unveiled a "blueprint" for UK economic growth. The document, based on 10 consultation meetings held with 300 creative industry leaders nationwide, calls on the government to appreciate the creative industries are as important to the country's future economic success as cars or oil and gas.

Federation chief executive John Kampfner said Brexit makes it even more crucial the government overhauls its approach to business to enable the creative industries to deliver more jobs, trade and exports. 

The report stressed the crucial role the creative industries play in unlocking innovation and growth in other sectors, such as manufacturing, the importance of education and arts institutions as "anchors for business expansion", and the need for a new immigration system "fit for the 21st century".

Among its key recommendations for growth are "creative enterprise zones", where cities and regions could bid for bespoke culture and creative industry deals including policy proposals that respond to local needs. This would be modelled on the government's roll-out of enterprise zones to cover the creative industries. 

It is also pushing for a national centre for growth in the creative industries - what it refers to as a "business booster network" - where advice on financial support, intellectual property and export support, can be shared, and a creative careers campaign "to counteract misleading and inadequate careers advice".

The federation blueprint is being submitted to the government’s green paper consultation on a new industrial strategy which closes on Monday (17th April). 

John Kampfner, Federation chief executive, said: “We today call on the government to put the creative industries at the heart of its 21st century business strategy and to recognise that they will be as important to future economic success as traditional industries such as cars or oil and gas.

“There has been a tendency to dismiss the creative industries as something lightweight while claiming the glory of billions of pounds in trade that comes from hits such as 'War Horse', 'Sherlock' and 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

“Our blueprint presents an ambitious vision combined with practical ideas, not just for increasing growth in the creative industries, but also for delivering growth and success for the wider economy and country.”