ITV Drama in the North supported by Cable's £16 million funding for creative industries

North West projects will be funded with the £16 million Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced funding to boost skills in the creative industries and help develop the filmmakers and fashion designers of the future.

An ITV Continuing Drama in the North training programme for new trainees working on Coronation Street and Emmerdale productions is one of the projects that will receive the government funding, matched by industry investment.

The government aims to work together with employers from across the creative industries to inspire and support young people to follow in the footsteps of the country’s creative heavyweights and to support the existing workforce and creative businesses to grow and prosper.

Speaking at the launch of the creative industries strategy ‘Create UK’, Business Secretary, Vince Cable said: “The creative industries play a key role in the UK economy. British fashion designers, publishers, software developers, TV and filmmakers have put the UK on the world map with their creative talent.

“They have also played a big part in driving our economic recovery. UK creative industries generate £71 billion in revenue each year and support 1.71 million jobs.

“We are committed to helping this vital sector grow. Developing the skills of the creative workforce lies at the heart of this.

“We are working with employers from across the sector to open doors within the creative industries.”

Nicola Mendelsohn, Industry Co-Chair Creative Industries Council, Facebook VP EMEA said: “It’s an exciting and pivotal time for the UK’s world-leading creative industries.

“However we’re trading in an increasingly competitive marketplace and cannot take our position for granted. I am delighted that today’s announcement will help support and deliver 1 of the major planks of our creative industries strategy– the importance and centrality of developing our skills and talent base for the future.

“The industry, working in partnership through Creative Skillset, is taking a big, bold step in its commitment to this crucial driver of our future economic growth.”

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