Loading
Get our free monthly newsletter
The latest news, case studies, events & opportunities across the creative industries.
Thank you! You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

By clicking the Join Now button, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Cookies Preferences
Close Cookie Preference Manager
Cookie Settings
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage and assist in our marketing efforts. More info
Strictly Necessary (Always Active)
Cookies required to enable basic website functionality.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
CIC

News: £20m Investment in Creative Industries Announced

updated
February 22, 2021
Published on:
July 12, 2018
January 5, 2021

More than £20 million is being invested into the UK’s creative industries to help inspire and attract new talent, scale up existing businesses, boost skills and provide education.

The package of support, announced by Creative Industries Minister Margot James during a visit to Dudley Technical College, will help to increase the diversity of the sector’s workforce and maintain the future pipeline of creative talent in the creative industries which contributed £101.5bn billion to the UK economy in 2017.

Measures include:

  • A new £14 million Creative Careers Programme designed to attract more diverse talent
  • £2 million to continue the successful ‘Get it Right’ campaign with industry until 2021 - helping to educate consumers on the dangers of copyright infringement and direct them to legitimate sources of creative content online.
  • Creative businesses in the West Midlands, Greater Manchester and the West of England to benefit from new £4 million investment to help them grow
  • £200,000 investment for the Digital Schoolhouse programme being delivered by games trade body Ukie - inspiring the next generation of game creators, growing the programme to 50 schools by September 2019 and reaching an extra 7,000 pupils next academic year.
  • £190,000 to the UK Games Fund to build on the new Pitch Development Programme. This helps promising companies gain industry support to receive UK Games Fund grants of £25,000.

This new funding marks the first anniversary of the publication of the Government's Industrial Strategy and is part of the implementation of the Creative Industries Sector Deal agreed earlier this year.

Minister for the Creative Industries, Margot James, said:

"Our creative industries are a vital part of the economy, contributing over £100 billion to the economy so it is important we maintain the pipeline of talent. This package will take the sector from strength to strength by arming the next generation of creatives with the necessary skills and giving businesses in the sector the support they need to succeed.
"The Creative Careers programme will see leaders of creative businesses inspire students through talks and work experience. Businesses will also be helped to develop more accessible routes into employment in the sector, this includes creating apprenticeship standards for a number of priority roles which will be identified by industry.

The initiative will also boost the number of apprenticeships to 3000 across the creative industries by 2025 and join the hundreds of apprentices already working across the sector with employers including Pinewood Studios, Royal Opera House, V&A Museum, McCann and Google.

Tim Davie, co-chair of the Creative Industries Council, said:

"One year on from the Government’s announcement of its industrial strategy, it’s excellent to see delivery of the commitments in the landmark Creative Industries Sector Deal. Our world-class creative sector is a powerhouse built on brilliant ideas. It’s vital we ensure a healthy pipeline of diverse talent to continue building on our creative success, and that we ensure a strong business environment to maximise the potential of those ideas. These commitments will provide vital support in both areas, to help our industries thrive.
"The Sector Deal implementation is now well under way and I look forward to working with colleagues on the Creative Industries Council and with others across industry and Government to keep up this momentum.

Alongside skills, the government is also prioritising access to finance for creative businesses.

The new scale up programme will see coaches and mentors available for businesses in the West Midlands, the West of England and Greater Manchester to overcome specific barriers to growth such as marketing, strategy planning or improving their digital footprint and specialist help will be on hand to identify appropriate sources of finance through the British Business Bank. Participating regions will also work to increase the numbers of investors interested in investing in creative businesses.

Lowell Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Dudley College of Technology / Chair of the Board of Dudley Academies Trust, said:

"With the creative industry in the West Midlands generating nearly £4 billion a year to the regional economy, Dudley College of Technology is proud to be developing new talent across a range of disciplines including film and TV, fashion, games design and crafts.
"We recognise the huge contribution the creative industries play, not only in economic terms but in providing a rich, vibrant culture and we are keen to train the creatives of the future. The announcement today will help support the skills agenda and also provide a boost for entrepreneurs and small businesses who have the potential for growth.

Read the Government release in full.

Get our free monthly newsletter

The latest news, case studies, events & opportunities across the Creative Industries sector.

Thank you! You are now subscribed to our newsletter.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

By clicking the Join Now button, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.