United Kingdom's Plan for Exporting Artistic and Cultural Products

United Kingdom's Plan for Exporting Artistic and Cultural Products

The UK government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to integrate the creative industries into long-term strategic export strategies, with the aim of establishing the sector as a global exporter and key driver of economic growth. The £380 million Creative Industries Plan, launched in 2021, aims to nearly double business investment in the sector from £17 billion to £31 billion by 2035.

The plan, outlined in the policy brief "The Creative Industries in the UK's Export Strategy" by Eliza Easton, founder of Erskine Analysis and previously Deputy Director at the Creative PEC, emphasizes regional growth beyond London via initiatives like the £150 million Creative Places Growth Fund. This fund is devolved to mayoral authorities, such as the West Midlands and Greater Manchester, for local support, mentorship, and skills development.

The music industry receives specific support, with a £30 million Music Growth Package designed to enhance touring, mentoring, and export opportunities for emerging artists. There is also a threefold increase in funding for the Music Export Growth Scheme, and plans for more trade missions to facilitate music exports, particularly easing European market access.

Industry collaboration and innovation are at the heart of the plan. The government supports industry-led agreements on music streaming and a ticket levy on arena and stadium gigs (potentially generating up to £20 million annually) to fund grassroots music infrastructure. The focus is on boosting creator earnings and empowering UK labels in artist development.

The plan is closely aligned with the UK’s Trade Strategy and the overarching Industrial Strategy, which aim to foster market-shaping partnerships between government and industry, promote high-quality job creation, and power regional economic revival.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has created new barriers for the UK's creative exporters. The television production sector, one of Britain's leading creative export sectors, has been particularly affected. To address these challenges, the policy brief provides policy makers with insights, data, and recommendations for how to ensure that the UK's creative industries maintain their leading place in global markets.

The revisions to the 2019 exports of goods data were made as a result of corrections applied to the Overseas Trade in Goods statistics 2015 to 2019 by HMRC. As a result, the estimate for the UK Creative Industries Exports of Goods is now £13.8bn.

For more information on these corrections, you can visit the UK Trade Info website. To read the full discussion paper, please follow the link provided.

[References] Easton, E. (2021) The Creative Industries in the UK's Export Strategy. London: Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre and Nesta. Available from: https://cdn2.assets-servd.host/creative-pec/production/assets/publications/The-Creative-Industries-Export-Strategy-PEC-Policy-Brief-November-2021.pdf

[1] UK Government (2021) Creative Industries Sector Deal. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/creative-industries-sector-deal/creative-industries-sector-deal

[2] UK Government (2017) Industrial Strategy Green Paper. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/industrial-strategy-green-paper/industrial-strategy-green-paper

[3] UK Government (2021) Music Export Growth Scheme. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/music-export-growth-scheme-megs/music-export-growth-scheme-megs

[4] UK Government (2018) Modern Industrial Strategy. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modern-industrial-strategy/modern-industrial-strategy

1. The UK government's Creative Industries Plan aims to nearly double business investment in the sector and boost it from £17 billion to £31 billion by 2035.
2. The policy brief, "The Creative Industries in the UK's Export Strategy," suggests regional growth beyond London through initiatives like the Creative Places Growth Fund.
3. The Music Growth Package, a part of the Creative Industries Plan, offers support to emerging artists, enhancing touring, mentoring, and export opportunities.
4. The government is encouraging industry-led agreements on music streaming and a ticket levy on arena and stadium gigs to generate funds for grassroots music infrastructure.
5. The aim of the plan is to foster market-shaping partnerships between government and industry, promoting high-quality job creation and powering regional economic revival.
6. The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for the UK's creative exporters, particularly in the television production sector, but the policy brief offers insights and recommendations to maintain the UK's leading position in global markets.
7. The revisions to the 2019 exports of goods data show that the UK Creative Industries Exports of Goods are now estimated at £13.8 billion.
8. The document "The Creative Industries in the UK's Export Strategy," by Eliza Easton, can be accessed via the provided link for more information.
9. The strategy aligns with the UK's Trade Strategy and Industrial Strategy, which emphasize internationalisation, innovation, and evidence-based policy making, with a focus on talent, finance, and business growth.

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