IAB UK's response to Culture Secretary's speech at RENEW

Jon Mew, CEO, IAB UK: "In her speech at RENEW this morning, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport described the UK’s advertising industry as a strong source of UK global power and at the centre of the world stage. She’s right and it’s important to note that growth in our world-leading industry is overwhelmingly being driven by investment in digital advertising which, as the minister points out, is “the bedrock of the internet” by funding many of the services that we all use for free every day.

"However, it’s also essential that we recognise that digital advertising is robustly and comprehensively regulated by the ASA – the same body that regulates advertising in all media in the UK. Meanwhile, cross-industry collaboration and technological developments have helped to improve supply chain transparency in digital advertising and advertisers’ control over where their ads appear. There is more to do, but progress is proactively being made. 

"With developments such as DCMS’s Online Advertising Programme, the Online Safety Bill and HFSS online ad ban all expected this year, I strongly believe that it’s absolutely crucial that Government applies the principles of its Plan for Digital Regulation and works with our members to draw on the significant amount of expertise the industry has to offer. This will help achieve our shared goal to develop effective and proportionate policy that is outcome-focused, evidence-based, and a regulatory framework that can adapt to meet future challenges, without stymying the innovation and growth our industry is recognised for globally and that drives the UK economy."