TIGA, the trade association representing theUK games industry, today welcomed the comments by John Penrose MP, a Minister
in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), in which he assured
parliamentarians that the Government is considering support for the video games
industry.
He announced the Government’s position in a
parliamentary debate yesterday afternoon on future support for the video games
industry. The debate was secured by the Dundee West MP, Jim McGovern.
Dr. Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, stated:
“Thanks to
TIGA’s unremitting campaign to champion the UK video games industry the
Government has confirmed in the House of Commons that our industry remains on its
agenda. Last week’s parliamentary debate saw MPs discuss a number of proposals
which TIGA has been advocating for a sustained period of time, including Games
Tax Relief, expanding the scope of the SME R&D tax credit and developing a
Creative Content Fund.
“John Penrose
MP, a DCMS Minister, rightly quoted the PricewaterhouseCoopers figures which show in his words the ‘long-term potential of the global market’.
However, whilst the commitment to continue reviewing industry support is welcome,
if the Government hesitates for too long the UK could fail to take advantage of
this long-term potential.
“TIGA will
continue to refine and to enhance the case for Games Tax Relief, the SME
R&D tax credit and other measures to power the UK games industry forward.
We will work with the UK Government and parties across the political divide to
power the UK video games industry forward.””
Jim McGovern MP stated:
“I was delighted to have secured this debate in parliament. This has
been a long running campaign, and one that deserves to be taken seriously by
this Government.””
“The Minister seemingly failed to grasp the fact that international
competition was leading to jobs moving abroad, and he failed to recognise that
that government must introduce incentives that rival our competitors. They must
introduce specific solutions to the specific problems faced by the computer
games industry as a matter of priority.””
“I received a great deal of cross party support in this debate. This is
a campaign that will continue. The government persists in failing to see that
we are being outwitted by our international competitors. I will go on pressing
them to introduce the policies that the computer games industry needs in order
to succeed for the benefit of Dundee and the wider UK economy.””