Creative sector generates ‘£8m an hour’ for UK, government says

RA Now

Creative industries are now worth an annual £71.4 billion to the UK economy, the government has claimed. 

Including advertising and marketing, film, music, publishing and IT and software services, the sector experienced 10% growth in 2012 and accounted for 1.68 million jobs – 5.6% of UK jobs.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport, which has published the Creative Industries Economic Estimates , calculates that the sector generates £8 million an hour.

Since 2008, the industries have increased by 15.6%, compared with a 5.4% rise for the UK economy as a whole. And employment in the creative industries rose by 8.6% between 2011 and 2012, compared with 0.7% for the total economy.

“These incredible statistics are confirmation that the creative industries consistently punch well above their weight, outperforming all the other main industry sectors, and are a powerhouse within the UK economy,” said Maria Miller, secretary for culture, media and sport.

“We are committed to ensuring that the energy, innovation, skills and talent existing in this dynamic sector continues to translate into economic success.”

The Creative Industries Council, a joint forum between the sector and government, is developing a strategy for growth which will “identify how all involved can ensure the creative industries continue to go from strength to strength”, according to its chair, Nicola Mendelsohn.