Creative Crafts Petition

[jomifl]

go to e-petition 49537(link below) if you want to sign the petition

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/49537

Petition to stop the government reclassifying craft as non-creative

Responsible department: Department for Culture, Media and Sport


We request the Government reconsider the proposal that craft no longer be considered part of the creative industries, as part of the 30 April proposed changes set out in Classifying and Measuring the Creative Industries consultation paper.
The craft industry and those who work in it, over 88,000 people making a £3bn annual contribution to the UK economy, are inherently and by their very nature creative. We want the UK Government to stop ignoring The Crafts Council and the thousands of mostly sole trading craftsmen and women who consider themselves to be and indeed are creatives.
The Government should be proud & supportive of our vibrant creative craft industry & celebrate the unique, rich diversity of skills & craftsmanship, not seek to declassify, dismiss & undermine it.
Calling an IT Business Analyst a creative but refusing the title to a skilled potter or ceramicist shows the level of understanding that those proposing the change have of what is and isn't creative.

[Sharingan]

Signed xx

[The Builder]

Signed

[queenofmean]

signed :)

[MrsLulu]

signed

[jomifl]

Thanks all above, if you could copy and email to anyone whom you think might sign then don't hesitate. Ta!

[factor-fiction]

What would be the implications of reclassifying it, jomifl?

[Mamyalynne]

Done

[vulcan42]

signed

[boxtops]

done and circulated

[jomifl]

F-f, At a guess the government would save money as the Arts council would not have to fund craftspersons and would not be responible for funding town planners or IT experts.

[Gromit]

I think I am missing something here, and may need it spelling out to me.

What difference does it make if the Government reclaassify it?

Is it subject to different VAT?

Why does making it 'non creative' Make any difference?

I will willingly sign the e-petition if someone tells me what difference it will make?

[gness]

Signed. x

[Svejk]

Yes, I'd be interested to know the ins & outs of it. Could one of the people who signed it or the OP explain it.

[Wharton]

+1

[Wharton]

^signed, I mean :-)

[FredPuli43]

I have now read the whole paper and don't see what the fuss is about. Artists, potters etc are included in old and new lists of creative industries; 'creative industry' is obviously applicable to them by any reckoning, anyway. This appears no more than an updating of methodology

[jomifl]

Fred,
It seems that the proposal is to remove crafts from the list of 'creative industries' as crafts are (quote)'more concerned with the manufacturing process than the creative process'.
I hope that clarifies the issue a little. Also since many crafts people are sole traders and do not have an income large enough to merit paying VAT they will be invisible in the new methodology for assessing their significance as a whole.

[jomifl]

Thanks to all above for your interest.

[Svejk]

Still not clear to me.
So they get reclassified as non creative. What practical consequences does this entail?
Higher tax rates.
No government funding.

[Svejk]

Is it possible that some charmers ( eg. Bankers) have been taking advantage of the old system to reduce their tax bill. Can't imagine the government 'have it in' for woodfolk,etc.