Research and analysis

Better data on the cultural economy: scoping study

This report outlines ways to strengthen cultural sector data to help ascertain its value and contribution to UK economy and society, enabling effective policy development.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

Coronavirus (COVID-19) exposed the need for the government to have access to better data about the cultural economy.

This study was commissioned by DCMS to develop an understanding of possible ways forward to strengthen data on the cultural sector to better understand its value and contribution to the UK economy and society, which would, in turn, enable more effective policy development.

Responsibility for data on the cultural economy is shared among a whole array of data holders within and outside the sector (such as cultural organisations or arm’s-length bodies and regulators or funders) as well as other parts of government (such as the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, the Office for National Statistics or Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs).

The report sets out a number of short, medium and longer term recommendations, for relevant stakeholders to progress discussions on how to create a better evidence base for England’s cultural economy in a collaborative way.

Published 6 May 2022