Government complacency risks undermining the UK’s creative industries in the face of increased competition and technological change, according to Peers.
A report from the House of Lords’ Communications and Digital Committee, published in January, found that continued investment is needed in the successful ‘Creative clusters’ programme and highlighted issues around skills shortages – reflecting ‘evidence heard by the LGA’s Commission on Culture and Local Government.
It also concluded that the UK’s creative industries should sit at the heart of the country’s economic growth plans, being worth more than £115 billion before the pandemic.
In fact, their contribution to the economy in 2019 was more than the automotive, aerospace and life sciences industries combined.
Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of the LGA’s Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, said: “The creative industries are an important driver of local economies: prior to the pandemic, they accounted for 2.2 million jobs, geographically dispersed in more than 700 micro-clusters across the UK.
“To support councils to maximise the potential of the creative sector, we need a joined-up, devolved approach to skills that recognises the value of culture and creativity at every level of the education system.
“Councils can play an important role in diversifying access to creative careers and we support the report’s calls for a cross-government focus on addressing skills shortages in the sector.”