LONDON, ENGLAND.-Creative Industries Minister, James Purnell, today spelt out how the Government would help make Britain the world's creative hub. The Creative Economy Programme will join together cultural institutions, policy makers and funding organisations to support the growth and productivity of the creative industries.

This seven step programme will tackle the issues that make a real difference to the productivity and growth of the creative economy and focus on the following key areas:

Skills and education – to better foster creative thinking in our schools. Competition and Intellectual Property (IP) – establish a world-class competitive business environment. Technology – seizing the opportunities created by the internet and digitalisation. Business support and access to finance – helping to nurture new businesses and then help them to thrive. Diversity – minimise barriers for innovative creators. Infrastructure – nurture and harness the unique make up of the creative industries. Evidence – establish the importance of the creative industries to the economy. Speaking at the London Business School Media Summit, James Purnell said:

"Our creative industries are a great success. But they have historically suffered from ghettoisation.

"The great wealth of knowledge and creative talent out there is beyond dispute. We need to harness that talent for the good of the whole industry.

"That's why I will bring together a team from the industries to work towards a shared aim – to make Britain the world's creative hub. If the film industry has been particularly successful in working with schools to encourage creativity in their pupils, let's share that expertise with the fashion and music industries.

"This programme is about tapping into the energy that's already running through our creative economy. It's about creating conditions in which we can flourish."