TIGA, the network for games developers and digital publishers, and the trade association representing the UK video games industry, said today that its proposals for the 2015 Autumn Statement would strengthen games businesses, universities, and the wider UK economy. TIGA made the comments to coincide with the publication of 8-Bits of Good Advice: TIGA’s Proposals for the 2015 Autumn Statement.
Chris White MP, a leading Parliamentarian and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Video Games in the Westminster Parliament, commented on TIGA’s proposals:
“I read TIGA’s proposals with great interest and commend their work in promoting the video games industry. With the Autumn Statement next week, I hope the Government will recognise the importance of this sector, not least in terms of its contribution to the economy.”
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“TIGA’s submission for the November 2015 Autumn Statement proposes eight ideas for strengthening the UK video games industry. TIGA’s policy agenda helps studios of all sizes; higher education; and regional growth. It promotes skills and training, improves access to finance and so contributes to UK economic growth. It is excellent to have Chris White MP’s backing, support and endorsement.”
TIGA’s submission makes eight key proposals:
1.A Creative Content Fund (CCF) should be established in order to improve studios’ access to finance, stimulate new content development and IP generation. The CCF could make grants or loans available to games businesses on a pound for pound, matched funding basis. The CCF could be financed via the National Lottery or via Grant-in-Aid money from the Government. The CCF could be managed by the British Film Institute, or by Innovate UK, or by Creative England or by The UK Games Talent and Finance Community Interest Company.
2.The Government should carry out a cost benefit analysis of the merits of enhancing Video Games Tax Relief in order to stimulate further investment. For example, the £1 million limit on subcontracting could be lifted. A Triple A game could involve $7 million in outsourcing by the time of its first release. Additional outsourcing work follows with content updates under the games as a service model. Increasing the outsourcing limit would not only help large games businesses. It could also benefit smaller UK games businesses involved in the supply chain and help to build up their skills, talent and capacity.
3.The amount of money that a company can raise via SEIS investment should be increased from £150,000 to £200,000 per annum to reflect the rise in development budgets required to make internationally competitive games.
4.Regional/National Games Development Incubators should be established at a university or at a consortium of universities in each of the English regions and in each of the nations within the UK to boost start-ups, universities and regional growth.
5.Specialist roles should be added to the Shortage Occupation List (including, but not limited to, Game Analyst, Senior Game Artist, Senior Game Designer, Senior Producer, and Engine Programmer). This will enable games businesses to address skill shortages in highly specialised roles.
6.The Government should aim to enhance the commercial, management and leadership skills of games studios. In particular, the Growth Accelerator Service should be tailored to the needs of games developers and digital publishers.
7.A pilot Training Tax Relief should be introduced for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). TTR would operate in a similar way to the existing R&D tax credits and would enable SMEs to offset expenditure on training, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for staff and education outreach activities against corporation tax.
8.UKTI should enable more UK video games businesses to maximise their export potential.
The Rt Hon George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, will present his Autumn Statement on 25th November 2015.
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About TIGA
TIGA is 90% funded by independent UK businesses. 80% of our board members are developers and/or from UK owned businesses, and 50% of our board are UK business owners themselves. Since 2010, TIGA has won 24 business awards and commendations. TIGA focuses on three sets of activities:
- Political representation
- Media representation
- Business services
This enhances the competitiveness of our members by providing benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities. It also means our members’ voices are heard in the corridors of power and positively represented in national, broadcast and UK video game trade media. Get in touch: Tel: 0845 468 2330 Email: info@tiga.org Web: www.tiga.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/tigamovement Facebook: www.facebook.com/TIGAMovement LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/tiga For further information, you can also contact: Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on: 07875 939 643, or email: richard.wilson@tiga.org