TIGA, the trade association representing the
UK games industry, today advised the Government against abolishing the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport. TIGA made the comments following the publication
of a report by the Institute of Economic Affairs which suggested that the
Department could be closed down to fund tax cuts.
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, said:
“The DCMS should not be abolished. The Department is responsible for
some important administrative functions and policy areas including broadcasting
policy, the Olympics, tourism and the creative industries, including video
games. Additionally, the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, chaired by
John Whittingdale OBE MP, has done an excellent job in recent years and helps
to hold the Department to account. It would make no sense to abolish either the
Department or in effect the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee.
“Abolition of the DCMS would entail costs. Tacit knowledge would be lost
in any reorganization, thereby impairing government performance. There would
also be financial costs because organizational changes of this nature typically
incur expenses.
Any predicted savings from the Department’s abolition could be illusory.
This is partly because many of the DCMS’s programmes would probably continue. Targeting
the DCMS is peculiar, not least because it is not a particularly big spending
Department.
“The creative industries, including video games, are important for the
future economic success of the UK. They need a focused Department and a voice
in Government.”
Ends
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.