TIGA advances the case for investing in the video games industry to
Exchequer Secretary
TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, today made the
case for investing in the UK video games sector to the Rt Hon David Gauke MP,
Exchequer Secretary, at HM Treasury in London. Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO,
represented the industry together with three leading MPs from the Westminster
All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Computer and Video Games Industry: John
Whittingdale OBE MP (also Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select
Committee), , Luciana Berger MP and Chris White MP.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“At TIGA we are focused on making the
UK the best place in the world to do games business by enabling developers and
digital publishers to set up and grow strong, sustainable, independent studios.
TIGA was delighted therefore to have the
opportunity to represent the industry and to suggest a range of measures to the
Exchequer Secretary to enable our industry to fulfil its potential, including a
well-targeted Games Tax Relief for games development. I am grateful to the Rt
Hon David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary, for his time and for the support from
John Whittingdale OBE MP, Luciana Berger MP and Chris White MP.”
John
Whittingdale OBE MP said:
“I am very grateful to David Gauke, the Exchequer
Secretary, for sparing the time to meet with myself, my parliamentary
colleagues and Richard Wilson from TIGA. We met with the Exchequer Secretary today to
ask the Government to consider how it can best support the games sector in the
forthcoming Budget. It is vital that, as the global market increases, Britain
remains competitive to attract investment and jobs. Games Tax Relief would put
the industry on a level playing field with its international rivals.”
Luciana
Berger MP said:
“Games Tax Relief offers the UK industry an
opportunity to compete on the same terms as its international competitors. The
economic case was made clear to the Exchequer Secretary and we hope to see
action in the forthcoming Budget.”
Chris
White MP said:
“The Exchequer Secretary listened to our
concerns for the video games industry today. As the evidence continues to
mount, the upcoming Budget provides an opportunity for swift and decisive
action by introducing Games Tax Relief which would allow the games industry to
prosper as the global market increases.”
Notes to editors:
About
TIGA:
TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The
majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house
publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing
companies, technology businesses and
universities amongst our membership. TIGA won 10
business awards and was nominated a finalist for 9 other awards during 2010 and
2011. In 2010
TIGA won two business awards including ‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the
Trade Association Forum.
In 2011, TIGA won eight business awards including
‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the Trade Association Forum, ‘Outstanding
Organisation’ from the Chartered Management Institute and two Global Business
Excellence Awards, including ‘Outstanding Marketing Campaign’. Richard Wilson won the ‘Leadership Award’
from the Trade Association Forum and the ‘Outstanding Leader’ award from the Chartered
Management Institute.
TIGA is an Investors in People organisation.
TIGA's vision is to make
the UK the best place in the world to do games business. We focus on
three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage
and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members.
This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of
power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a
material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and
improved commercial opportunities.
For
further information, please contact Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO on: 07875 939
643, or email richard.wilson@tiga.org.