Official statistics produced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) state that the creative industries are now worth £71.4 billion a year to the UK economy, with growth of almost 10% in 2012. This compares to a growth rate of 0.7% for the UK economy as a whole.
The report adds that the sector makes up 5.6% of the UK workforce and accounted for 5.2% of the UK economy’s total GVA (gross value added) in 2012.
While film, television and music make up a key part of the figures, both for employment and value to the economy, galleries, museums and the visual arts also are recognised as an important part of the bigger picture. Out of a total workforce of 1,684,000, 85,000 work in Museums, galleries and libraries, 224,000 in Music, performing and visual arts, and a further 7,000 in Craft. By far the biggest group is IT, software and computer services, which accounts for 558,000 people.
Maria Miller, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “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.”
Creative Industries Council Chair, Nicola Mendelsohn, commented: “These figures amply demonstrate the huge contribution our sector makes to the economy and it’s vital that the right framework is in place to nurture and support the industry.
“We are working with government on developing a growth strategy for the sector which will identify how all involved can ensure the creative industries continue to go from strength to strength.”
Read the full DCMS report here.
