§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support her Department is giving to the promotion of design(a) initiatives and (b) education. [136654]
§ Ms HewittI have been asked to reply.
The more effective use of design throughout the British economy would improve prosperity and productivity. We promote design through the work of the Design Council, which is funded by the DTL.
For example, the Design Council's "Design Demonstrations" projects with companies provide exemplars of how design can radically improve performance. These projects are with manufacturing and emerging technology companies. The outputs will support awareness campaigns, to be undertaken with Regional Development Agencies and Business Link, to reach a wider business audience.
In education, the Design Council's "Design in Schools Week" places professionals in schools to inspire design and technology students and teachers. In 2002, 302 designers worked in 295 schools, this year, 372 designers worked in 360 schools.
Business Link and the Manufacturing Advisory Service provide extensive advice and brokerage services on design.