Creative sector exports earn 26.5 billion USD for British economy

Exports by Britain's creative industries have contributed 26.5 billion U.S. dollars to the economy in the past year, official figures disclosed Monday.

Latest statistics published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, reveal creative industry services are highly sought after overseas, with export level increasing more than four times the rate of the British total.

"Our creative industries are continuing to outstrip other employment sectors in the UK," said a government spokesman Monday.

The figures show jobs in creative industries have increased three times faster than the UK average. In the past five years, the number of jobs in the sector has risen by nearly 20 percent and now accounts for 1.9 million jobs.

Occupations which have particularly flourished include dancers and choreographers (up by 41 percent), artists (up by 21 percent), and programers and software developers (up by 30 percent).

The latest figures come on the back of government statistics, published earlier this year, revealing that Britain's creative industries contribute 111.5 billion U.S. dollars a year, - almost 14 million U.S. dollars an hour, to the UK economy.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport John Whittingdale said Monday: "The creative industries are one of the UK's greatest success stories. That success is built upon the extraordinary talent which exists in this country, an amazing cultural heritage, the English language and a tax system designed to support and encourage growth in the creative sector."

"None of this is changed by Britain's decision to leave the EU and I am confident that our creative industries will continue to thrive and take advantage of the new opportunities which are opening up to do business across the world," he said. Enditem