Autumn Spending Review Addressed by PEC's Representation

Autumn Spending Review Addressed by PEC's Representation

The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC), funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), has taken a proactive stance in advocating for the growth of the UK's creative sector. Rather than presenting a manifesto, the PEC has identified specific areas where evidence suggests action is needed to bolster the industry.

Recently, the PEC made representations to the Autumn Spending Review, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Select Committee inquiry into the future of Channel 4, and the DCMS Committee 'Cultural Placemaking and the Levelling Up Agenda'. Additionally, the PEC has submitted a response to the Integrated Review: A new era of soft power, and the Competition and Markets Authority's proposed study 'Music and streaming market'.

The creative industries have been a significant contributor to the UK's economy, accounting for nearly £116 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2019. One in eight UK businesses are part of this vibrant sector, which has grown twice as fast as the rest of the economy in the past decade.

In recognition of the sector's importance, the UK government has outlined key initiatives to support its growth. These initiatives focus on innovation and research and development (R&D), UK-wide investment, and building a resilient creative workforce.

Innovation and R&D are at the heart of the government's strategy. Plans include boosting innovation through increased public and private investment in R&D within the creative industries, enhancing opportunities for createch businesses, and supporting the creation and value of creative intellectual property (IP). Furthermore, a new Creative Content Exchange is being established to facilitate the sale, licensing, and access to digitized cultural and creative assets, fostering innovation by providing a platform for creative content exchange.

To bolster the UK's creative sector, the government has allocated a substantial £380 million investment. This investment is aimed at supporting innovation, access to finance, R&D, skills development, and regional growth across the sector. The plan also aims to nearly double business investment in the creative industries from £17 billion to £31 billion by 2035, solidifying the UK's position as a global creative hub.

Building a skilled, diverse, and resilient workforce is another priority. The government seeks to increase the productivity and diversity of both employed and freelance creatives. Part of the investment includes the creation of 2,000 new film and TV apprenticeships, which will help develop the next generation of creative professionals. However, the upcoming increase in the minimum skill threshold for the Skilled Worker route may impact the sector's access to talent.

The creative industries, including film, fashion, video games, and performing arts, are integral to local communities across the country. These policies demonstrate the UK government's commitment to driving growth and innovation in the creative industries, fostering a competitive and globally renowned sector. The Comprehensive Spending Review offers an opportunity for the government to stimulate growth in the creative sector, which has been affected by the pandemic. The PEC's contributions to these discussions underscore its role as a provider of independent research and policy recommendations for the UK's creative industries.

[1] Source: AHRC Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (2021). 'Innovation-led recovery, UK-wide investment, and creative workforce: PEC response to the DCMS Committee's inquiry on Cultural Placemaking and the Levelling Up Agenda'. [online] Available at: https://www.pec.ac.uk/news-and-events/response-to-the-dcms-committee-cultural-placemaking-and-the-levelling-up-agenda/ [2] Source: Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (2020). 'Creative Industries Sector Deal: Delivering growth, jobs and skills for the creative economy'. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creative-industries-sector-deal/creative-industries-sector-deal-delivering-growth-jobs-and-skills-for-the-creative-economy [3] Source: AHRC Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (2021). 'Response to the DCMS Committee's inquiry Promoting Britain Abroad'. [online] Available at: https://www.pec.ac.uk/news-and-events/response-to-the-dcms-committee-inquiry-promoting-britain-abroad/

1. The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) has presented evidence to several committees advocating for growth in the UK's creative sector, including the Autumn Spending Review, the House of Lords Communications and Digital Select Committee, and the DCMS Committee 'Cultural Placemaking and the Levelling Up Agenda'.
2. The PEC has also responded to the Integrated Review: A new era of soft power and the Competition and Markets Authority's proposed study 'Music and streaming market', contributing policy recommendations for the UK's creative industries.
3. The creative industries, amounting to nearly £116 billion in Gross Value Added in 2019, have shown significant growth, twice as fast as the rest of the economy in the past decade.
4. Recognizing its importance, the UK government has initiated key strategies to support the growth of the creative sector, focusing on innovation, research and development (R&D), UK-wide investment, and building a resilient creative workforce.
5. Central to this strategy is boosting innovation through increased public and private investment in R&D within the creative industries and fostering createch businesses.
6. The government has allocated a substantial £380 million investment to support innovation, access to finance, R&D, skills development, and regional growth across the sector, aiming to nearly double business investment in the creative industries by 2035.
7. Building a skilled, diverse, and resilient workforce is another priority, with plans to increase the productivity and diversity of both employed and freelance creatives, including the creation of 2000 new film and TV apprenticeships.
8. Local communities across the country benefit from the creative industries, which include film, fashion, video games, and performing arts, underscoring the importance of the government's commitment to drive growth and innovation in the sector.

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