Employment within the UK creative industries sector – which includes museums, galleries and architecture – has increased five times faster than the national average since 2011, according to the latest figures published by the Department for Culture Media and Sport.

The Creative Industries: Focus on Employment report builds on the findings of the Creative Industries Economic Estimates published in January this year which revealed the creative industries contribute more than £8m per hour to the UK economy, and generate more than £70bn a year, outperforming all other sectors.

The new report provides more detailed information on employment within the creative industries. It highlights that employment within the sector has increased by more than 10 per cent since 2011, creative industries now account for 1 in 18 (5.6 per cent) of all jobs in the UK, and that the benefits of the boom are being felt well beyond London. Between 2011 and 2013, within the creative industries, there were increases in jobs of greater than 20 per cent in the East of England (27.1 per cent), the East Midlands (25 per cent), the West Midlands (20.6 per cent) and the Yorkshire and Humber region (20.1 per cent).

Culture secretary Sajid Javid said: “The UK’s creative industries are a huge success story and powerful force in driving economic growth. These figures demonstrate the sector is punching well above its weight and government is committed to ensuring the right conditions are in place to allow the sector to continue to flourish.”