Jobs within film, television, music and video games grew at a rate of 8.6% between 2011 and 2012, compared to 0.7% across the UK.
The sector accounted for 5.6% of all UK jobs – a total of 1.68 millon. The creative industries’ value to the economy is now worth £71.4 billion a year, or £8 million pounds an hour.
Katja Hall, chief policy director at The Confederation of British Industry (CBI), recognised the achievement. Earlier this month, the CBI published a strategy for creative industries to encourage further growth in the sector.
“The UK’s creative industries are already world-beaters and make a huge contribution to our economy,” said Hall. “Now we need to build on this potential to help them achieve even greater global success.”
The strategy calls for action to protect intellectual property, and a European Commission backed tax credit for video games.
Skills shortage
In 2011, the CBI warned that the creative sector was being held back by a skills shortage and demanded greater focus on maths, science and IT in school curriculums.
“We should keep thinking big, and with the right support our creative firms can continue to lead the world, create jobs and boost our economy,” added Hall.
Culture, media and sport secretary Maria Miller said the Government was committed to backing the creative industries in the future.
“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,” she said.
“We are committed to ensuring that the energy, innovation, skills and talent existing in this dynamic sector continues to translate into economic success, and provide a remarkable platform from which, we can showcase Britain to the world.”
The creative industries sector includes advertising and marketing, architectural, crafts, design, film, TV, video, radio and photography, IT, software and computer services, publishing, museums, galleries and libraries, music, performing and visual arts.
