TIGA, the trade association representing the UK gamesindustry, said today that the latest comments from the International Monetary
Fund about the UK economy confirm the need to support export oriented, high
technology sectors, including the games industry.
The IMF said yesterday that the
UK needed to counter its stalling recovery, and the risk of a worsening of the
eurozone crisis, through further monetary easing and more government
investment.TIGA said that a number of fiscal measures should be
considered and that measures like Games Tax Relief and tax reliefs for other
creative sectors such as animation and high end TV production were now more
important than ever.
Games Tax Relief will boost employment and investment in
the video games industry and so contribute to economic growth.
Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“In talking to
developers over the past few days at our various workshops across the UK, it is
clear that the games industry needs an effective tax relief. Small and
medium-sized developers, in particular, know that Games Tax Relief will enable
them to invest more money in their businesses, employ more people and further
their creative output. If the UK is to grow its economy, it needs to take
account of the contribution of the creative sectors. Tax reliefs for the
creative industries will help.”
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 won 10 business awards and was
nominated a finalist for 9 other awards during 2010 and 2011. In 2010 TIGA won two business awards including
‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the Trade Association Forum.
In 2011, TIGA
won eight business awards including ‘Trade Association of the Year’ from the
Trade Association Forum, ‘Outstanding Organisation’ from the Chartered
Management Institute and two Global Business Excellence Awards, including
‘Outstanding Marketing Campaign’.
Richard Wilson won the ‘Leadership Award’ from the Trade Association
Forum and the ‘Outstanding Leader’ award from the Chartered Management
Institute. 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: 07875 939 643, or
email richard.wilson@tiga.org.