Labour held our Creative Industries Network summer reception yesterday to thank everyone from the creative industries who has worked with Dan Jarvis MP and the Shadow DCMS team this year.  With the Tory-Lib Dem government's cuts to funding for the arts, it is a particularly difficult times for the industry.

I spoke at the reception and emphasised the importance of the creative industries to our society and our economy and outlined Labour’s vision for jobs and growth in the creative industries, which is built around five key points: access to finance, protection of intellectual property, support for exports, a strategy for young people and skills, and a regional strategy.

I also underlined the importance of our shadow teams working together on a vision for the creative industries. Shadow ministers from our Treasury, Education and BIS teams were at the reception, including Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna MP, who also spoke at the event.

Image: Sam Boyd