The Commons touch

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee have launched a new inquiry into support for the creative industries and how to address “barriers to growth”. The Committee are requesting views and written submissions on various issues affecting the music industry and other sectors including film, TV and video games. The inquiry will address the failure to so far effectively bring the Digital Economy Act (DEA) into play despite it becoming part of the law over two years ago.

As previously reported, Ofcom published an initial obligations code proposal for the DEA in June this year to after ISPs BT and Talk Talk lost their final appeal against the Act in March.

Somewhat predictably, the emphasis will also be on how best to capitalise on UK creative talent in the aftermath of a successful Olympics and Paralympics.

By “Barriers to growth” they are referring to things like access to finance and if the taxation system currently supports the creative economies. It could be said that a significant barrier may be employing a former PR person for Texaco with zero experience of the creative industries as the new Culture Secretary. However, that would never happen as we’re living in a democracy and not a Kafkaesque nightmare. Don’t forget- whichever way you look at it we’re all in this together, one nation under a groove.

Other points explored include the work of the Creative Industries Council and other public bodies in supporting the sector and how further and higher education can help to establish a strong skills base for the sector.

You can find out more here and written submissions will be accepted until Friday 02 November.