TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry which foughtfor years for games tax relief, has unveiled a series of workshops to ensure
the promised tax breaks works well for the sector.
Four dates have been announced
so far with more to come.
Already confirmed are London on July 16, Birmingham
on July 17, Edinburgh and Dundee, both on
July 18.
The government's consultation
document on the implementation of the tax relief for video games, animation and
high end TV production was launched on Monday.
TIGA, the group which
vigorously campaigned for a new tax break for games production, said it had the
potential to support new business models and could also support a wide range of
games on a wide range of platforms. TIGA wants to ensure that the tax break is
effectively designed for the games
industry and easy to use.
The workshops will provide more
information about how the tax break is proposed to work in practice and to
ensure that developers' voices are heard in the consultations about the games
tax relief with the UK Coalition Government. The Workshops are open to members
and non-members.
Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA,
said:
“It is important that
everybody who works within the gaming industry understands how games tax relief
will work and how it will benefit them. We want to engage with developers so
that we can work effectively with the government in formulating tax relief
which works for all.
“TIGA will be engaging
with developers, digital publishers and the Government to ensure that tax
relief is effective, straight-forward to access and supports a wide range of
studios, business models and games on different platforms. The tax relief will
be a fantastic boost for the UK video games industry, the creative sectors and
the UK economy.”
TIGA persuaded the last Labour
Government to back Games Tax Relief in the March 2010 Budget and successfully
won cross-party support for the measure during the 2010 General Election
campaign. Games Tax Relief was dropped by the Coalition Government in the June
2010 Budget.
TIGA continued to campaign for
Games Tax Relief and the Coalition Government adopted the policy in the March
2012 Budget.
TIGA predicts that the new tax relief will enable the UK games
industry to compete on a more level international playing field and it will
secure
4,660 jobs and £188 million in investment over five years.
16th July
London – evening workshop
Grant Thornton LLP
Melton Street
Euston Square
London
NW1 2EP
Book at http://gtrlondon.eventbrite.com/
17th July
Birmingham – evening workshop
Grant Thornton LLP
Colmore Plaza – 11th/12th floors
Colmore Circus
Birmingham
B4 6AT
Book at http://gtrbirmingham.eventbrite.com/
18th July
Edinburgh – evening workshop
French Duncan LLP
56 Palmerston Place
Edinburgh
Midlothian
EH12 5AY
Book at http://gtredinburgh.eventbrite.com/
18th July
Dundee – lunchtime workshop
Scottish Enterprise
Enterprise House
3, Greenmarket
Dundee
Angus
DD1 4QB
Book at http://gtrdundee.eventbrite.com/