Government unveils new action plan for the creative industries

From the Margins to the Mainstream - Government unveils new action plan for the creative industries

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 has been published, 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, 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.