MPs: ‘UK creative industries important’
November 8, 2017
More than 90 per cent of MPs in a new poll believe the UK creative industries are vitally important to the future of the UK’s economy, job creation and positive perceptions of Brand Britain.
The poll by Dods Research for the industry members of the Creative Industries Council (CIC) also found that MPs’ support to prioritise the creative industries on their own political parties’ agendas has increased since similar polls were conducted in 2014 and 2015. In the latest research, 75 per cent of MPs agreed that creative industries should be high on their party’s agenda, up from 61 per cent in 2014.
There was also widespread agreement about the importance of the creative industries to the future growth of the UK’s main cities. This growth contribution was deemed to be most important in London (95 per cent of MPs), Edinburgh (94 per cent), Manchester (93 per cent) and Liverpool (90 per cent).
However, MPs were divided over the impact of Brexit on the creative industries, with 45 per cent of respondents believing Brexit would involve a positive impact and 46 per cent anticipating a negative one. Only 9 per cent believed Brexit would involve no change for the creative industries.
There was also some divergence of opinion when MPs were asked to choose from a list of likely long-term drivers of success for the UK creative industries.
Developing UK skills and upgrading broadband infrastructure were cited by 79 per cent and 70 per cent of respondents, closely followed by development of creative clusters (64 per cent) and support for starting and growing creative businesses (62 per cent). There was less support for investing in science, research and innovation (43 per cent).
“As this report highlights, the UK’s world-leading creative industries are valued by MPs across the political divide,” noted Minister for the Creative Industries Matt Hancock. “We are committed to helping this vital economic sector to grow and develop, and through the Industrial Strategy, are working with industry leaders to develop a Sector Deal that helps seize future opportunities.”
Releasing the poll results at a Parliamentary reception, Nicola Mendelsohn CBE, Industry Co-Chair of the CIC and VP EMEA, Facebook, welcomed the increase in MPs from constituencies round the country, making the development of the creative industries a political priority. “Working in partnership with Government, our aim is to use British creativity to inspire the UK and the world: with a strategy for growth which will focus on developing UK skills, supporting businesses to start and grow, and boosting exports and inward investment,” she added.