TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, said today that it was looking forward to working with the new Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition to implement Games Tax Relief and to maximise the industry’s potential with the new Government.
TIGA made the comments following the formation of the Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition.
Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“TIGA is looking forward to working with the new Government to advance the video games industry’s potential, and in particular to implement Games Tax Relief – the top priority for the UK games industry. Games Tax Relief is needed to ensure that the UK games industry competes on a level playing with its overseas rivals. Additionally, Games Tax Relief will create jobs and boost investment in a research intensive, export oriented industry. This is precisely the kind of tax measure that is needed to help rebalance the UK economy from an over-dependence on financial services.
“TIGA will contact key ministers in the new administration and will aim to work closely with them to ensure the implementation of Games Tax Relief as soon as possible.””
The former Chancellor, the Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP, announced in his Budget on March 24th 2010 that the Government would introduce a Games Tax Relief. There are good reasons to believe that the Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition will introduce Games Tax Relief:
On April 30th, Don Foster MP, the then Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said in a statement to TIGA: “Liberal Democrats support the introduction of a Games Tax Relief. Following consultation on the details, we would implement the Relief as soon as possible.”
Richard Wilson met Vince Cable MP in early March and had positive discussions with him about Games Tax Relief.
Ed Vaizey MP said to Develop on April 26th that George Osborne MP supported video game tax breaks. Vaizey himself said: “…it is our policy to introduce game development tax breaks.””
Richard Wilson added:
“TIGA congratulates Jeremy Hunt on his appointment to the position of Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport and Vince Cable on his appointment to the position of Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. TIGA also welcomes the appointments of David Willetts, Mark Prisk and John Hayes as Ministers in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. We look forward to working with them in the future.
“TIGA also welcomes Jeremy Hunt’s recognition that the creative industries ‘are vital elements in the UK’s economic recovery’. If Games Tax Relief is introduced then the UK video games industry will create jobs, spur investment and contribute to an export led recovery.””
Jason Kingsley, TIGA Chairman and CEO and Creative Director of Rebellion, said:
“TIGA wishes the new Government well and we look forward to working with it. TIGA has published a strategy for supporting our successful video games industry: The UK video games industry: an agenda for the next Parliament. We hope that the new Government will look favourably on the policy proposals in this paper, including the introduction of Games Tax Relief, more generous R&D tax credits and lower tuition fees for undergraduates studying mathematics and computer science degrees.””