Future of creative industries reimagined in study

Tax credits for research and development and monetising more online content are among the ideas emerging from a recent study exploring how to reimagine the future of the creative industries.

For Creative Coalition: A Plan to Reimagine, hundreds of members of the Creative Industries Federation were asked about what they wanted to change in the creative industries post Covid-19 and how this could be achieved.

They came up with 12 recommendations, which include:

• Prioritising and resourcing creative education and training at all levels.
• Reimagining the apprenticeship system, which could include adopting a consortium approach rather than a 12-month contract with one organisation.
• Ensuring that freelance contracts take into account the need for pension savings, sick pay and compensation for periods of unemployment.
• Introducing tax credits and more public investment for research and development in the creative industries.
• A national investment strategy to spread investment in the creative industries more equally across the UK.
• Monetising more online content.
• More mentoring opportunities, including “reverse mentoring” where older and more experienced workers can benefit from the insights of younger colleagues.

The Creative Coalition report stated: “The UK needs a booming creative sector, not only to continue to create jobs and growth throughout the country, but to sit at the heart of our cultural and environmental revolution and contribute to our global success.

“The creative sector is uniquely placed to contribute to three key areas that our country and economy need most: jobs and skills, especially for the next generation, giving people of all backgrounds the opportunity to thrive; innovation and ingenuity, shaping our collective future and putting the UK on the world stage; and inclusive growth, delivering vital economic, social and cultural value to every community.”