The UK government today unveiled an 'action plan' for the creative industries with the launch of a report entitled 'New Talents for the New Economy'.
The headline measure features a plan to develop 5,000 apprenticeships across the creative industries sector by 2013, which has already attracted commitments from employers such as the BBC, ITV Granada, the Royal Opera House and Universal Music.
The report also includes proposals for a World Creative Business Conference, an independent review of next generation broadband, and a promise to step in with action on illegal file sharing by 2009 if industry fails to reach a voluntary solution.
The government is backing the initiative with $137.7m (£70m) in funding, but it is less clear at this stage exactly how the proposals will directly impact the film industry.
The report does mentions a finishing school in animation education in partnership with Aardman Animations; the encouragement of applications for Enterprise Capital Funds (ECFs) from the creative industries; and UK Film Council involvement in the development of 'mixed media centres' in cultural venues in Manchester, Nottingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Bristol.
Overall though, the 80-page document is light on detail.
Nevertheless, Ivan Dunleavy, chief executive of Pinewood Shepperton, greeted the government's focus on the value that creative industries bring to the UK. 'We welcome the government's increasing focus on the cultural and economic contribution of the creative industries and Britain's role as a creative hub,' he said.
The Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham, pointed out that the report is important since it represents a move to take the creative industries from the margins of economic and policy thinking to the mainstream.
'Now is the time to recognise the growing success story that is Britain's creative economy and build on it,' Burnham said. '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 headline measure features a plan to develop 5,000 apprenticeships across the creative industries sector by 2013, which has already attracted commitments from employers such as the BBC, ITV Granada, the Royal Opera House and Universal Music.
The report also includes proposals for a World Creative Business Conference, an independent review of next generation broadband, and a promise to step in with action on illegal file sharing by 2009 if industry fails to reach a voluntary solution.
The government is backing the initiative with $137.7m (£70m) in funding, but it is less clear at this stage exactly how the proposals will directly impact the film industry.
The report does mentions a finishing school in animation education in partnership with Aardman Animations; the encouragement of applications for Enterprise Capital Funds (ECFs) from the creative industries; and UK Film Council involvement in the development of 'mixed media centres' in cultural venues in Manchester, Nottingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Bristol.
Overall though, the 80-page document is light on detail.
Nevertheless, Ivan Dunleavy, chief executive of Pinewood Shepperton, greeted the government's focus on the value that creative industries bring to the UK. 'We welcome the government's increasing focus on the cultural and economic contribution of the creative industries and Britain's role as a creative hub,' he said.
The Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham, pointed out that the report is important since it represents a move to take the creative industries from the margins of economic and policy thinking to the mainstream.
'Now is the time to recognise the growing success story that is Britain's creative economy and build on it,' Burnham said. '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.'
No comments yet