Jeremy Quin, Conservative MP for Horsham, has questioned the Government about the video games industry’s access to skilled workers following Brexit.
During questions to ministers from the Department for International Trade on Thursday 29 March, Quin asked whether video games companies could continue to recruit the best and brightest talent following Brexit. Creative Assembly, makers of the Total War series, are based in his constituency and employ staff from 34 different countries.
Graham Stuart MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for International Trade, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring that we have the right digital skills for the future. Specifically, he highlighted the Government’s £406 million funding to develop science, technology, engineering and maths skills.During the session, the Government also highlighted recent figures which show that exports of telecommunication, computer and information services increased from £17.8 billion in 2015 to £19 billion in 2016. Meanwhile, digital goods and services contributed £116.5 billion to the UK’s economy in 2016.
Dr Richard Wilson OBE, Chief Executive Officer of TIGA, said:
“We are happy that the Government has acknowledged the need for video games developers to recruit skilled staff from abroad. Given that we need world class talent to compete on a global level, one of the key priorities for the video games industry in the Brexit negotiations is continued access to the right talent from the EU and EEA.
“It is also good to see the Government acknowledge the substantial contribution of the digital sector to UK exports. If we can improve studios’ access to finance, then we can expect to see the video games sector increase exports. That is why it is critical that the Government maintains and potentially enhances Video Games Tax Relief and also considers introducing a Video Games Investment Fund.
“A Video Games Investment Fund would provide matched funded loans or grants. The Games Investment Fund would improve access to finance, encourage studio formation and growth, stimulate the creation of new original intellectual property, and boost exports in our fast-growing industry.
“Meanwhile, the VGTR has supported almost £700 million of UK expenditure in the industry since its introduction in 2014. VGTR enables the UK to compete on a more level playing field against our overseas competitors. It is vital that this measure is retained and potentially strengthened in the years ahead.”
The full written question is available to view below:
Tech Sector Exports
Department for International Trade
Jeremy Quin (Horsham) (Con): 6. What recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of tech sector exports.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Trade (Graham Stuart): Technology is at the heart of the Government’s industrial strategy, placing the UK at the forefront of the artificial intelligence and data revolutions. Exports of telecommunication, computer and information services increased from £17.8 billion in 2015 to £19 billion in 2016. Digital goods and services overall contributed £116.5 billion to the UK’s economy in 2016.
Jeremy Quin: “Total War” is the phenomenally successful computer game produced by Creative Assembly in my Horsham constituency and exported to 98% of all the countries on earth. Creative Assembly is brilliant at nurturing domestic talent, but it also employs workers from 34 different countries. What reassurance can the Minister give that it will continue to be able to recruit the brightest and the best?
Graham Stuart: Like my hon. Friend, I am enthusiastic about the development of mathematics and digital and technical education. Some £406 million extra was announced in the industrial strategy to help address a shortage in science, technology, engineering and maths skills. The creative industries sector deal was published on Tuesday, and that highlighted the Government’s determination to ensure that we have the right digital skills for the future.