TIGA, the network for games developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the video games industry, welcomed the Government’s plans to invest £500 million in vocational and technical education in England, the introduction of T-Levels, and £300 million funding for PhD students in STEM subjects and new technologies. TIGA made the comments in response to today’s Budget by The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer.
In addition to announcing improvements in Government borrowing, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a range of measures in his Budget, including:
an extra £500 million for vocational and technical education in England, in part to fund the introduction of T-Levels, new Technical Level Qualifications;
plans for more free schools, faith schools and selective schools;
£500 million support for autonomous vehicles, robotics and artificial intelligence;
£300 million funding for PhD students in STEM subjects and new technologies;
plans to reduce the administrative burden for companies claiming R&D Tax Credits;
plans to change the tax treatment of self-employed people;
investment in infrastructure; and
steps to soften the impact of rate revaluation.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“If we are to close the productivity gap between the UK and other G7 countries then we must continue to take steps to improve skills, education and training.
“TIGA strongly supports the Government’s plans to fund more PhD students in STEM and new technology subjects and plans to introduce T-Levels. Currently, the UK produces a small proportion of technically educated people. Just 10 per cent of adults hold technical qualifications as their highest qualification, which leaves the UK 16th out of 20 OECD countries. We hope that the Government’s new T-Levels will help to increase the proportion of people qualified in technical qualifications and provide a clear progression routes to higher education.”
About TIGA
TIGA is a not for profit network for games developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the video games industry.. Since 2010, TIGA has won 24 business awards and commendations, an achievement which demonstrates our drive to meet and to exceed best practice. TIGA focuses on three sets of activities:
· political representation;
· profile raising; and
· business services.
This means that TIGA members’ voices are heard in the corridors of power and positively represented in the international, national, regional and trade media. TIGA’s activities also serve to enhance the competitiveness of our members by providing benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.
Get in touch:
· Tel: 0845 468 2330
· Email: info@tiga.org
· Web: www.tiga.org
· Twitter: www.twitter.com/tigamovement
· Facebook: www.facebook.com/TIGAMovement
· LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/tiga
· Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO: richard.wilson@tiga.org