TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry, today said that HM Treasury and politicians in all of the UK’s political parties needed to show imagination and decisiveness in their approach to the UK games industry. TIGA made the comments in response to the news that British Columbia is set to introduce a 15 to 17.5 per cent tax credit in relation to labour costs to help the local video game industry.
Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“Once again policy makers in Canada have demonstrated imagination and decisiveness: imagination because they understand that video game development is an industry of the future that needs a friendly fiscal regime if it is to prosper in an intensely competitive world; and decisiveness because they are taking action, rather than just talking. UK politicians need to demonstrate similar imagination and decisiveness if the UK video games industry and other creative sectors are to realise their full potential.””
Jason Kingsley, Chairman of TIGA and CEO and Creative Director of Rebellion, said:
“We urge the Government to pay attention to developments elsewhere in the world. We urge the Government to introduce TIGA’s Games Tax Relief.””
ENDS
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 outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership.
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: 0845 0941095; Mob: 07875 939643; or Email: richard.wilson@tiga.org, or, Eva Field, TIGA PR Manager on: 07814 039 983, or email eva@tiga.org.