Labour launches creative network to boost arts

The Labour party launched a new initiative last night aimed at boosting the creative industries in the UK and warned the government that the clock is ticking on what is seen as one of the UK’s success stories over the past two decades.

The creative network spans the 13 sectors that make up the creative industries in the UK - including architecture. According to the Labour party the network’s aim is to support strong business to business links, and build relationships between businesses, cultural and educational organisations.

Launching the creative network shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis said: “The UK’s creative industries have been a great success story over the past two decades.

“We now face a stark choice. Manage the decline in our creative industries or build a partnership between the industries and government to ensure we respond with ambition and boldness to the serious challenges of global competition and the digital age.”

“This Conservative-led government has so far failed to provide the strategic leadership that is urgently required, and in education and the arts, it is implementing policies which are damaging the foundations of our creative success.”

The creative network will be chaired by Andrew McGuinness, chair of the advertising association and founding partner of Beattie McGuinness Bungay.