Jim McGovern MP calls on the CreativeIndustries Minister to review Games Tax Relief ‘as a matter of priority’
TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video
games industry, today reiterated Jim McGovern MP’s call in Parliament yesterday
for the Government to carry out the assessment of tax breaks for the video
games industry as a matter of priority.
Jim McGovern MP raised the issue in Culture, Media and
Sport questions in the Westminster Parliament with the Creative Industries
Minister, Ed Vaizey MP.
Dr. Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, commented:
“It’s now five months since
the Scottish Affairs Committee recommended that the Government conduct a full
assessment of Games Tax Relief. We urge the Government to carry out this
review. The UK video games industry is not yet competing on a level playing
field because many of our competitors have a tax credit for games production or
other similar measures. With a favourable tax environment the UK will be able
to take full advantage of the significant predicted international growth in
this highly skilled, low carbon, export orientated industry. A tax break for
games production will benefit both the UK video games sector and the wider UK
economy.””
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
1)
The
full transcript of the parliamentary oral question and answer is:
10. Jim
McGovern (Dundee West) (Lab): What discussions he has
had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on future Government support for the
UK computer games industry. [59867]
The
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport
(Mr Edward Vaizey): I discussed future
Government support for the creative industries–including the video games
sector–with the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the development of the plan for
growth which was published alongside Budget 2011. The plan for growth sets out
the specific actions that we are taking to tackle major barriers to growth in
the creative industries and to create the right conditions for creative
businesses to flourish.
Jim
McGovern: I do not know about high-speed broadband, but that was a
high-speed answer–and I am sure that the Minister will appreciate that it is
not the one I was looking for. He will be aware that games companies in the UK
are closing and that many of their staff are going to Canada. Ireland is now
looking to introduce tax breaks, but for some reason this Government persist in
doing nothing. Will the Minister reassure me, the House and my constituents
that the assessment of tax breaks for the industry, as recommended by the
Scottish Affairs Committee, will be carried out as a matter of priority before
more harm is done to this very important industry?
Mr
Vaizey: I am mindful of your desire, Mr Speaker, to crack
through the Order Paper, which is why I tend to answer questions in a rapid
manner. Let me first congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his championship of the
video games industry. I know that 150 jobs have been created in the industry in
his own Dundee constituency. Measures in the Budget, such as the changes to the
research and development tax credit and the enterprise investment scheme, will
help the video games industry. I will continue with my vocal and, I hope,
practical support for that important industry.
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. 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
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
07875939643: or email richard.wilson@tiga.org;
or contact David Hodges on 02070911653