16 November 2009

MP and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Gordon Banks held a reception in the House of Commons last week highlighting the benefits of the publishing industry to the  UK  economy.

Publishing in the UK is the largest media sector and the biggest creative industry.  Gordon Banks together with MPs started the All Party Parliamentary Group at Westminster to lobby for the industry to ensure it’s voice is heard at the heart of Government  and this is now well supported by the publishing industry. 

The reception held in Westminster last week heard presentations from John Whittingdale MP (Chair Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee), Victoria Barnsley (Chief Executive of HarperCollins) and Simon Juden (Chief Executive Publishing Association).

Speaking after the event, Mr Banks said “I was delighted at the good turnout which is in itself a recognition of the importance of the industry.  For too long the publishing industry has been overshadowed by the more vocal computer games and music industry.”

“We have to move away from the idea that the publishing industry is some kind of relic full of crusty old books and realise that it is a massive industry with huge influence.  After all much of what we see and hear on TV, radio and cinema started out on the pages of a book.”

“The APPG in partnership with the industry will be working hard over the coming months and years to ensure the Government’s new Digital Economy Bill is right for the industry