January 21, 2019

The Creative Industries Federation, which represents the UK’s world-leading creative industries, is urging the leaders of the UK’s political parties to support a second referendum rather than crash out of the EU.

The Federation has repeatedly stressed the dangers of crashing out of the EU without a deal. With the Withdrawal Agreement forcefully defeated, the Federation says that the threat of a No-Deal Brexit has become a distinct reality, and steps must be taken to avoid “this most damaging outcome”.

In the Federation’s Global Trade Report, 40% of the UK’s creative industries stressed that a No Deal scenario would harm their business’s ability to export, while 21% would consider moving all or part of their businesses abroad in the event of a No Deal.

Alan Bishop, Chief Executive of the Creative Industries Federation, said:

“We have now reached an undeniable cliff edge, and it is imperative that our political parties do what is necessary to prevent the extreme damage that will be caused if we crash out of the EU.

“The creative industries are the fastest growing part of the UK’s economy. They contribute over £100 billion in GVA and employ 1 in 11 people. The free movement of goods, services, capital and people have underpinned the sector’s success and our ability to attract talent, tour freely, and trade on our doorstep is vital to the ongoing success of the creative industries and to the UK as a whole. This is why 96% of our members intended to vote to remain ahead of the referendum, and why crashing out of the EU without a deal would have catastrophic consequences for the sector.

“Although further uncertainty will of course be challenging for the creative industries, this presents less of a threat to the country’s prosperity than leaving the EU without a deal.

“Not only are the creative industries vital to our economy, they also play a fundamental role in the life of every person living in the UK and are of irreplaceable importance to the way that the UK is viewed around the world.” To read the Federation’s statement, click here.