The United Kingdom is in danger of losing its creative advantage because of a lack of reliable data on companies using innovation and design, according to James Purnell, UK minister for creative industries.

Speaking at the London Business School, James Purnell said Britain was a leader in the use of design and innovation and that creative industries were central to the economy. But that position was being threatened as fast-growing economies move towards making higher-value products and services. "If you look at China and India, we need to renew our advantage in terms of creativity," Mr Purnell said.

In another speech to the Confederation of British Industry, Chancellor Gordon Brown re-emphasized the role that the creative industries has to play in Britain's economic future. Brown said that the new partnerships between universities, government and business was crucial in making the country world leaders in science based and creative industries.

A Treasury-commissioned report by Sir George Cox, the Design Council chairman, is expected to recommend that the government add design to the criteria used in allocating the £125bn per year it spends on goods and services. Sir George told the Financial Times last week that design had to be considered not just in products, but in all aspects of business such as the manufacturing process. Creative industries - a relatively new concept introduced early in the Blair government - cover activities ranging from fashion design to antique sales and software programming, under categories established by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.