Design’s impact on the economy must be classified

Your Voxpop two weeks ago asked why it is a problem that design is not classified by the Government as a standalone industry (DW 11 October).

Design is vital to innovation and the UK’s productivity. It is essential that we capture this impact.

Statistical classifications reflect what we think matters and help us develop effective policy. We must update these classifications to capture the many aspects of our growing knowledge economy.

Jonathan Kestenbaum, Chief executive, National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts, London EC4