The UK Government is set to pledge £77m to fund the development of new creative clusters to boost industries such as computer game development and film production across the country. Approximately two-thirds of the funding will go to the development of at least six new specialist clusters alongside the existing nine, with the remaining third of the funds largely supplementing existing support for a variety of causes, including video game studios and grassroots music venues, as well as the development of film and television production technologies involving artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Plans are also in place to set up four advanced screen and performance technology research laboratories in Buckinghamshire, Yorkshire, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, backed by £76m of previously announced state funding, with the private sector contributing a further £63m. The plans for additional funding are part of a new strategy for the creative industries put together by Peter Bazalgette, the co-chair of the Creative Industries Council and former chairman of ITV, which aims to improve the export potential of the sector by establishing new trade missions and increasing the availability of educational resources. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hopes the funding package will help grow the creative industries sector by a third, increasing its economic value by £50bn and adding 1m more jobs by 2030.
The UK has one of the leading creative sectors internationally, but industry insiders feel that they lack recognition for their contributions to the British economy. Brexit has also had a negative impact on parts of the industry, limiting opportunities to work and limiting access to skilled labor from the EU. The government hopes to address these issues with this funding package. Channel 4 CEO, Alex Mahon, expressed her approval of the new strategy, noting that it would encourage more people to join the creative industries in the UK, particularly those from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Daniel Wood, the co-CEO of gaming trade body Ukie, said the strategy would cement the UK’s gaming industry as an engine of economic growth.
Despite the funding being described as “significant,” Bazalgette noted that it did not match the scope of Hunt’s other four “priority” areas of economic growth which included life sciences, green industries, technology, and advanced manufacturing. Further work also needs to be done to develop the creative industries, Bazalgette stated. “We were the first country to recognise it as an industry in 1997. There is still a lot of work to do, but this is a step in the right direction. The work begins now to realise the potential.”
The new funding is seen as a positive step for the UK creative industries. However, more work needs to be done to help it reach its full potential. As companies begin to develop cutting-edge technologies that enhance and diversify their offerings, the government needs to take a more active role in promoting them and providing the necessary support to achieve that level of growth.
The creative industries have long been a significant contributor to the UK economy, bringing in £108bn each year to help fund public services, supporting over 2 million jobs in the industry, and renowned across the world. With the right backing, these industries will be able to develop further, grow at a considerable rate, and help ensure the country maintains its leading status in the sector.
Summary:
The Government have pledged £77m towards the development of new creative clusters in the UK as part of their strategy to aid industries such as film production and computer game development. The funding will largely supplement existing funds that mainly support video game studios and the grassroots music venues. Approximately two-thirds of the funding will go towards developing at least six new specialist clusters alongside the already present nine. The funding will aid the growth of the creative industries sector by a third, adding 1m more jobs and increasing its economic value by £50bn by 2030.
The allocation of funds towards creative clusters and the growth of video gaming industries should bring about new investments and boost the creative industries sector and increase job opportunities.
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The government is ready to support new ‘creative clusters’ across the UK as part of plans to boost industries such as film production and computer game development.
On Wednesday Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will pledge £77m to support creative industries, two-thirds of which will go towards the development of at least six specialist clusters to add to the existing nine.
The rest of the money will largely supplement existing funds that support video game studios, grassroots music venues, and the development of film and television production technology using artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Some of the funds will also support London Fashion and Film Weeks.
Hunt said state funding would help grow the sector by a third, increasing its economic value by £50bn and adding 1m more jobs by 2030. “Our creative industry is not just about glitz and red carpet glam in Leicester Square. It brings in £108bn a year to help fund our public services, supports over 2m jobs and is famous around the world.”
The UK has one of the leading creative sectors internationally, but executives and artists are often frustrated by the lack of recognition they get for their contributions to the UK economy. Brexit has hurt parts of the industry, reducing access to skilled labor from the EU and limiting the ability of British artists to travel and work in the bloc.
The new funding pledges are part of a new strategy for the creative industries drawn up by UK television executive Peter Bazalgette, who is co-chair of the Creative Industries Council and former chairman of ITV.
The strategy aims to improve the export potential of the sector by setting up new trade missions and encouraging universities to develop new technologies. It also requires a skills audit to identify and address gaps in education.
As part of the strategy, the government said it would set up four advanced screen and performance technology research laboratories in Buckinghamshire, Yorkshire, Northern Ireland and Scotland, backed by £76m in previously announced state funding. The private sector will contribute a further £63m.
Bazalgette told the Financial Times he was looking for “the creative designers of the future”. He said his strategy will enable “creative industries to come of age”, adding: “We were the first country to recognize it as an industry in 1997. There is still a lot of work to do, but this is a step in the right direction. The work begins now to realize the potential.”
Bazalgette welcomed the state funding as “significant” even though it did not match the scope of Hunt’s other four “priority” areas of economic growth: life sciences, green industries, technology, and advanced manufacturing. He said creative clusters of businesses would be important, given the need to foster specialist skills in certain areas to create thriving industries.
Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon welcomed the launch of the new strategy and said it would help the broadcaster “attract more people into the creative industries across the UK, particularly those with diverse backgrounds, offering them the ‘opportunity to develop skills and experience to succeed in a career they never thought possible’.
Daniel Wood, co-CEO of gaming trade body Ukie, said the strategy would cement “what we’ve always held that the UK gaming industry is an engine of economic growth, creating high quality jobs.” throughout the UK”.
https://www.ft.com/content/a830051f-4a41-4496-9554-005febe95449
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