This document discusses the creative industries and their importance to the economy. It notes that creative jobs have grown four times faster than the overall UK economy between 1997-2013. The creative industries contribute £76.9 billion annually to the UK economy, accounting for 5% of UK output. The value of creative industry exports was £17.3 billion in 2012, making up 8.8% of total UK service exports. The document argues that public arts and culture should be viewed as essential infrastructure, not a cost, because they generate social and economic benefits for communities.