The value of the creative industries to the economy is the focus of a new report entitled ?Creativity ? London?s Core Business?.
According to the report, one in five new jobs in London are in the creative industry sector, which includes architecture, arts and antiques, crafts, film and video, music and the performing arts. A total of 525,000 people work directly in creative industries in London, or in creative occupations in other industries, and over 100,000 of those jobs were created in the last five years. They contribute £21bn a year to London?s output, second only to business services at £32bn. Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said: ?London makes almost 30% of the UK?s creative output and almost 30% of its creative industry jobs. This has far-reaching implications. We must strengthen our approach to business skills, business support, workspace development and risk funding, if London is to retain its position as a major creative driving force in an increasingly competitive international marketplace.? A Creative Industries Commission is now being set up to identify practical steps that can be taken by the London Development Agency, which is also developing an Access to Finance programme and a regional venture capital fund for creative businesses. For a copy of the report: w: http://www.london.gov.uk
Published: 07-10-2002