TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, said today that it was good that the Scottish Government recognised the importance of digital businesses and that it was aiming for the uptake of broadband in Scotland to be the highest of the UK nations by 2015. TIGA also suggested that relief on rates and rents for high technology businesses, backing for business incubators and the provision of mentors to help start-up firms would help support Scotland’s digital sectors.
TIGA made the comments following the publication by the Scottish Government of A digital ambition for Scotland on October 22nd 2010. The Report summarises the Government’s plans and ambitions for the digital economy, and will be followed by a more detailed strategy and action plan in the next few months. The Report states that the rate of broadband uptake by people in Scotland should be at or above the UK average by 2013, and should be highest among the UK nations by 2015.
Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“It is good that the Scottish Government recognises the importance of digital businesses to Scotland’s future economic well being. Access to broadband could be increasingly important for education and training.
“Provision of high speed broadband could also help the Scottish video games industry. The trend towards digital distribution means that there is a need for increased bandwith if more people in Scotland are to be able to play and download high quality video games.
“Scotland already has a number of highly successful digital businesses. The Scottish Government has an opportunity to build on these success stories, not just through infrastructure improvements but also via imaginative action to create a friendly business environment. This could include relief on rates and rent for high technology businesses, including video games developers, support for business incubators and the provision of mentors to help start-up companies survive and grow.
“In terms of tax policy, the Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament should seek to encourage Westminster to introduce Games Tax Relief and to enhance the existing R&D tax credits. These measures would provide a powerful boost to the Scottish video games sector.””
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