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The APDIG is a forum for open debate between Parliament and the UK’s design and innovation communities
People
"We spend billions of pounds on services but the public sector still rarely uses the skills of our world-class service design industry to ensure quality and cost effectiveness. Now is the time for people in the public sector to realise the potential power of service design to create better services at less cost."
- Lord Michael Bichard, Maiden Speech in the Lords, 27 May 2010
"Design is not an amateur matter. We may all think we know a good design when we see one, but it is not just a matter of good taste. It is a matter of functionality, and of buildings or other objects which achieve a purpose."
- Baroness Whitaker, Academies Bill in the Lords, 28 June 2010
"Design is at the heart of most of what we do as civilised human beings. We’ve got to engage the people that run this country – up here in the Lords and down there in the Commons – in a more meaningful way."
- Barry Sheerman MP, the launch of 'Design and the Public Good', 2 March 2010
Find out more
Events
Forthcoming
Group AGM
7th Feb, 3.30pm
Olympic Park Visit
29th February, 9am
In association with RIBA and the APG for Architecture and Planning
Design & Tech City (II)
7th March 2012, 9am
Recent
12th December 6.30pmA Design Commission Report
More on the inquiry here
Read the report here
29th November, 8.30am
With the Crafts Council
Exhibition
Upper Waiting Hall
7th - 11th November
Download flyer here
Pictures from the launch here
Place and Space: What is happening in East London?
Chair: Diane Abbott MP
Summary here
Older
News
Newsletter
Sign up to receive design and innovation policy news from the APDIG here
Or email design@policyconnect.org.uk with 'subscribe to newsletter' in the subject line
In Parliament
Debate on the Design Commission's report 'Restarting Britain' in the Lords
Baroness Whitaker emphasises the importance design has in creating the technical and intellectual capacity the UK needs for the 21st century.
View Hansard Record of 24th January
Debate on the UK Creative Industries in the Lords
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury says The UK creative industries are the fastest growing sector of our economy and as such are a critical driver for our recovery.
View Hansard Record of 3rd November
Oral question on art and creative education in the Commons
Don Foster asked what the government is doing to promote arts and creative education in schools.
View Hansard Record of 16th January 2012
In the Press
Design Commission Report Lauch:
Investing in design capital should be our plan for growth
Westminster Briefing
Read here
Planning Reforms will not give the economic lift the Chancellor expects
The Telegraph, Wednesday 7th December 2012
Read here
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