Creative Kirklees / News / Fri 16 Mar 2018
True Value of Creative Industries Exports
New analysis shows creative digital exports worth £21bn
The UK’s creative exports are worth £21bn, according to new research on the value of digital trade. This means creative digital exports could be £6bn higher than the previous estimates.
Other findings include:
• creative industries export £46bn in goods and services, up by nearly £10bn
• £31bn of total creative exports are services, up from £22bn
From BBC’s Blue Planet to the Tom Clancy video games, our British creative exports are recognised across the globe and give the UK invaluable soft power.
Previous estimates have not been able to capture the full extent of the UK’s digital trade, including: musical artists gaining financial value from YouTube views of their music around the world, and designers and developers reaping the rewards of online game downloads.
This research was undertaken by the Creative Industries Federation and the Centre for Economics and Business Research, sponsored by the Creative Industries Council (CIC) and supported by the Department for International Trade. It includes contributions from creative businesses and members of the Federation and CIC from across the UK.
Nicola Mendelsohn, chair of the Creative Industries Council said: “This report demonstrates that all sectors of the UK’s creative industries are using the opportunities that digital technology provides to increase their sales, innovate and reach new audiences who are hungry for UK products and services.”
John Kampfner, chief executive of the Creative Industries Federation said: “Digital is the future and the creative industries are leading the way. And, while the scale may be international, the impact is local. Last year creative jobs grew by 25% in Yorkshire and the West Midlands, with regional economies, from Scotland to the West Midlands all growing faster than London.”