A SCOTTISH MP says a major battle was won when the Chancellor granted tax relief for the games industry.
Jim McGovern MP, Labour MP for Dundee West, praised TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, for years of lobbying which he said was vital in securing a tax break for videogame development.
Videogame development was handed tax breaks as part of Chancellor George Osbourne's Budget in March.
TIGA found that videogaming in Scotland contributes £74 million to the UK’s GDP and generates £30 million in tax revenues to HM Treasury.
TIGA is now liaising with Scottish developers to ensure the Government frames the tax relief in a way which is simple and effective for the games industry to use. TIGA wants the application process to be an easy one.
Videogaming supports 2,000 jobs, including around 700 in game development with cities such as Dundee being particularly important for the industry.
Mr McGovern said: “I have worked closely with TIGA over the last two years to win a tax credit for games production.
“TIGA has played a crucial role in making the case and winning the argument for a tax break for games production.
“TIGA, working with the All Party Group on the Computer and Video Games Industry in Parliament – of which I am the Treasurer – has won a major battle for the benefit of the Scottish and wider UK games industry.”
Scotland has 50 studios making games for mobile, online, casual, educational and console markets. They include Rockstar North, Denki, Tag Games, Dynamo Games, 4J, Digital Goldfish, Firebrand, and Proper Games, each of which have a track record in developing successful and critically acclaimed video games.