A voice for design

With Philip Hammond, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, stating that he will use this year’s Autumn Statement to “reset” Britain’s economic policy, we have been encouraging all DBA members to share their views on what the Treasury’s priorities should be to protect members’ businesses and to encourage further growth and development within the design industry.

UK to ‘own the global language of innovation’

Specifically, after consultation with our members, the DBA is calling for the Treasury to guarantee the future of R&D tax credits as well as expand their scope to support a design economy and business environment that will allow the United Kingdom to ‘own the global language of innovation’.

The DBA is collaborating with the All-Party Parliamentary Design and Innovation Group (APDIG) to develop a strong and persuasive narrative to present to HM Treasury ahead of this year’s Autumn Statement on 23 November.

Removal of design services from Scottish Government Procurement

Scottish Procurement is intending to remove design services from within the Marketing Services Procurement Framework for Scottish Government when it is restructured in May 2017 and the DBA is currently seeking clarity from them about their rationale for this decision, which we believe could potentially lead to fewer tenders and negatively impact the perception of design. We have been seeking the views of members who work with the Scottish Public Sector and will continue to keep members abreast of developments, which will focus on ensuring the industry’s best interests are fully considered in this process.

Design can help the UK thrive after Brexit, but first the government must help design. 

This was the central focus of a roundtable meeting attended by DBA CEO Deborah Dawton, aimed at ensuring government policies are in place to help the design sector deliver a prosperous future for all.

With the Minister for Digital & Culture, Matt Hancock’s Policy Adviser Jonathan Badyal in attendance, the internationally acclaimed architecture and design magazine Dezeen tabled their Brexit Design Manifesto, which is supported by the DBA, and offers a compelling message to government on the importance of the sector. Deborah outlined the work of the DBA, the views of its members in relation to Brexit and the value of design to business, public services and people’s lives. She encouraged the government to recognise the significant impact design delivers to the economy and why nurturing and investing in the sector will deliver wide ranging benefits for the UK.

We’ll continue to work closely with Dezeen, APDIG and the Creative Industries Federation over the coming months to ensure the design industry’s voice is heard by government, with more pivotal meetings planned during October.