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More focus needed on creative industries

The Business Secretary is set to praise the UK creative industries at the opening of the Design Summit at London’s City Hall.

The Summit is set to examine how the British design industry, which contributes 6% of UK GDP and employs 2 million people, can help to rebalance the economy.

However, economists believe that the sector could play a bigger part in the economy, and are now encouraging consumers and businesses to back British produce. Recent figures indicate that less than a third of Britons purchased a product or service made or designed in the UK ( excluding foodstuffs).

Mr Cable will say: “We should be proud of how our creative industries have meshed with technology and engineering to produce products that Britain and the rest of the world wants to buy.

“They have all contributed, not only to Britain’s reputation as an innovative nation, but also to our economic growth.”

According to a recent report for the World Economic Forum, the UK comes 10th in global competitiveness. According to David Kester, chief executive of the Design Council, the UK needs to do more to improve it’s standing.

Speaking to the Independent, he said: “To edge ahead at the top of the pack means competing on added value and innovation.

“That’s where design comes in, turning our ideas into brands, products and services that people need and want.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .