Mayor secures creative partnerships to boost jobs and economy

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has announced major partnerships with the UK’s cultural and creative organisations and unions as part of his blueprint to grow the economy.

On the opening day of the Rocket League World Championship Series eSports event in Solihull, the Mayor will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with five national arts, heritage and cultural organisations and another partnership deal with five of the biggest creative industries trade unions.

Agreements have been signed with the Department for Culture Media and Sport: Arts Council England, Historic England, the National Lottery Community Fund, Sport England and VisitEngland alongside Trade Union Congress (TUC), Equity, Bectu, Musicians’ Union and Writers’ Guild.

It’s part of the Mayor’s plan to win new funding for cultural and heritage sites, bring more film and TV productions to the West Midlands and secure new jobs, fairer pay, and long-term career opportunities for local people.

The government is also backing the Mayor’s plan by choosing the West Midlands as one of its ‘priority regions’ for the creative industries with the promise of a share of £60m.

A national pilot that’s helping to bring millions more leisure and business visitors to the region is also being funded by the government for another year.

The Mayor said: “The international success of the Peaky Blinders shows what can happen when you back the West Midlands’ creative spirit. It has brought in more visitors, showcased our rich heritage on the global stage, and even given us our first major TV and film studio.

“We must seize this moment. That’s why I’m working closely with some of the industry’s most influential players to champion our world-class creative talent and protect our cultural legacy.

“With fresh investment, and by backing our creative unions, we can create exciting jobs for local people and help to revitalise our communities. That’s my plan for the West Midlands – to be the beating heart of the UK’s creative economy.”

Arts, heritage and culture is a big part of the West Midlands economy – supporting around 50,000 jobs, generating £1.1bn and 28 million visits a year to the region.

The economic value has been boosted recently by the filming locally of high-end TV dramas This Town and Phoenix Rise as well as the BBC’s wider investment in Digbeth with hugely popular TV shows Masterchef and Silent Witness now being filmed here.

Peter Knott, Midlands area director at Arts Council England, said: “It is extremely positive to be joining the WMCA along with other cultural organisations in committing to supporting growth of the creative sector in the West Midlands.

“The West Midlands boasts a vibrant cultural scene with an international reputation for excellence, and we look forward to supporting more opportunities for communities across the region to experience creativity on their doorsteps.”

Rob Johnston, TUC Midlands policy and campaigns officer on behalf of the TUC Midlands CLIC (Equity, Musicians Union, Prospect & Writers’ Guild of Great Britain), said: “This is a truly landmark agreement. Creative workers employed through the combined authority will now receive union rates. Moreover, it sends a signal to the wider industry around the pay and conditions that are expected in our region.

“With a focus on local employment and inclusion, this agreement will help deliver a thriving creative sector, underpinned with good jobs, here in the West Midlands.

“What’s more, the commitment from the Mayor and combined authority to work with unions is tremendously refreshing and something other sectors and areas could learn from.”