Culture and creative industries in West Yorkshire

Culture and creative industries contribute £160bn to the UK economy. The UK’s status as the fifth largest exporter of cultural services globally is central to our position on the world stage, both economically and in terms of soft power. Beyond this, culture plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives, shaping who we are as individuals and communities, and contributing to our wellbeing and pride in place.

However, the economic importance of culture has long been underestimated in the UK and too much cultural activity has been concentrated in London. In our latest report, we set out the role that culture and creative industries can play in catalysing inclusive growth. By nurturing cultural clusters and building on local cultural assets, we can develop strong local economies, address regional inequalities, and connect local people to high-quality, fulfilling job opportunities across the country.

What places need to go further

Strategy and measurement

Demonstrating the value of culture is vital for securing investment. This is especially acute during times of fiscal constraint and low public sector investment. However, current government frameworks like the Green Book often fall short in making the case for culture projects and need reform. Streamlining monitoring by developing uniform indicators for culture across the region would help foster a collective understanding of how best to make the case for investment.

Leadership and delivery

Devolution is a major opportunity for an incoming government. West Yorkshire was the first devolution deal with a policy heading for Culture, Heritage and Digital. But there is still a lack of clarity around what devolution means for the creative sector. An incoming government should see devolution as a tool to deliver economic growth through a thriving cultural and creative sector, embedding inclusive growth at the heart of their approach. Labour has spoken of a ‘Creative Compact’ commitment that will put the creative industries at the centre of the UK’s economic growth and international trade ambitions. It has also pledged to unleash a creative Britain for everyone, everywhere, by supporting the development of creative clusters with a focus outside of London and the South East. Ensuring culture has a pivotal role in the expansion and deepening of devolution will be vital to achieving this.

Partnerships

Cross-sector partnerships are key. Local government alone cannot create the conditions for culture and creative industries to thrive. Nor can one organisation deliver inclusive growth. There is an opportunity to further strengthen and build on relationships between local government, arm’s-length bodies, educational institutions and cultural organisations to convene, enable and champion culture and creative industries.

Funding

Culture is a strategic investment. The erosion of funding over the last 14 years and the high demand on public services has already pushed several councils to issue section 114 notices. Budgetary pressures in Birmingham City Council mean that funding will be cut for many cultural organisations in the city from this financial year. Where they exist, there is a role for combined authorities to play in supporting the delivery of cultural programmes. There is also a need for a move away from competitive bidding between places and funding of discrete, short-term projects to strategic, long-term placemaking and locality-based models.