New visa system 'must prioritise creative industries'

The UK's post-Brexit immigration system must be tailored to meet the needs of the nation's highly successful creative industries, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has demanded in a new report.

Graphic of a UK flag with illustrated people in front of it

David Sapsted

23 October 2019

Launched on Wednesday in London in the presence of Secretary for Digital and Sport Nicky Morgan, the 'Centre Stage' report said the country's creative industries contributed more than £101 billion to the economy in 2017.Yet the study found 80% of firms in the industry feared that the UK could lose its reputation as a global leader after Brexit.The report called on the government to ensure its post-Brexit immigration and skills policies "are crafted with the creative industries in mind"; that an increased effort is made to profile smaller creative businesses on international trade missions; and that future internet regulations address such problems as copyright infringement and piracy.

CBI on why the creative industries are essential

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, CBI director-general, said, “This report shines a spotlight on the vibrancy and strength of the UK’s creative industries. Firms in the creative industries contribute more than the oil and gas, automotive and aerospace sectors combined. It’s one of the few sectors more resilient to automation and can boost productivity.“But a range of challenges - increasing international competition, copyright infringements and Brexit uncertainty, is now putting pressure on this sector. "Successive interventions by government in the past have helped this sector grow, flourish and prosper. This is what’s needed again.“Across government, policies around education, immigration and global regulation, should be built with this critical sector in mind. Creativity must be considered equally important to numeracy and literacy in all schools."And while domestic talent is important, the creative industries also relies on overseas talent, with one in three workers in visual effects for TV and film from Europe. Any post-Brexit immigration strategy must not restrict the sector’s ability to recruit and retain people.“The creative industries punch well above their weight internationally, and as other countries seek to emulate the UK’s success, the government must further invest in this sector and implement world-leading copyright protections. Otherwise we risk falling behind our European counterparts post-Brexit.”

CBI comments on the £30,000 earning threshold for immigration

On a future immigration system, the report said the proposed £30,000 earnings threshold would negatively impact the sector. It said that any new, post-Brexit immigration system must meet the needs of the sector and ensure it is able to continue to hire workers from the EU, including self-employed and freelance workers.Dame Carolyn added, “Aside from the economic benefit, the creative sector is a force for good. It has the ability to unite people in an increasingly polarised world, from the millions of people across the country that sit down together daily to watch the best of British TV, to the work our public service broadcasting does in tackling misinformation and ‘fake news’.“The creative industries can be a catalyst for regional growth, by playing a central role in regenerating post-industrial towns. Channel 4’s new HQ in Leeds or BBC’s move to Salford - are driving in investment, creating jobs and attracting people into the local area."

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