TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, today backeda call by Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree and All
Party Parliamentary Computer and Video Games Vice-Chair, for the Westminster
Government to make the UK an attractive place to develop video games. Luciana
Berger MP made the comments during a visit to Sony’s Evolution studios in
Runcorn.
Luciana Berger, MP for
Liverpool Wavertree and All Party Parliamentary Computer and Video Games
Vice-Chair, said:
“The computer and video games industry is a source of high-skilled jobs, here
in the North West and nationally. I am delighted to be visiting Sony’s
Liverpool studio and Evolution studios in Runcorn to see firsthand one of the
North West’s success stories.
“Yesterday’s GDP figures showed that this country can’t afford to have a
government that doesn’t support growth in the economy.With £1.53bn in
sales last year, the computer and video game industry has enormous
potential. It’s important that the sector’s success is built upon and new
investment is secured. Ministers must also ensure the UK is an attractive place
to develop video games. TIGA’s proposal for a Games Tax Relief, similar
to the Film Tax Credit, would encourage additional investment and create many
jobs. I will continue to champion this low carbon industry in Parliament.””
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“Luciana Berger is right to call on the Government to
take action to support the UK video games industry. This week’s disappointing GDP figures confirm
the need for the Westminster Coalition Government to promote economic growth.
The video games industry has the potential to create thousands of high skilled
jobs. The Government should look again at the case for Games Tax Relief, a
sector specific tax break which would power investment and job creation in an
export oriented industry.””
Ends
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
was awarded ‘Trade Association of the Year’ and the ‘Member Recruitment Award’
at the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2010. In 2011, TIGA won a further four awards at
the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards, including ‘Trade Association
of the Year’ for the second consecutive year.
TIGA has also been named as a finalist in the 2010 Chartered Management
Institute (CMI) National Management and Leadership Awards in the category of
‘The Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award (SME)’. TIGA is an ‘Investors
in People’ accredited 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.