Enhance the Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC)
The Government could enhance the VGEC to incentivise more investment and encourage the creation of more high skilled employment in the development sector.
Establish a National Games Accelerator
The UK is a good place to start a studio but scaling up is difficult. The NGA would provide a 6-month programme to support early-stage companies.
Strengthen the UK Games Talent and Finance CIC
Many studios find it difficult to raise finance. The UK Games Talent and Finance Community Interest Company helps to address this challenge.
Grants
The Government could also explore the idea of introducing larger grants than are currently available for games development, delivered on a £ for £ match funded basis, to crowd in more private investment into the sector.
Set up an Industrial Secondments Programme
The ISP would enable up to 20 lecturers per annum to be seconded to games studios. This would enable lecturers to enhance their teaching skills and keep their knowledge current.
Back BTECs
Maintaining funding for BTECs and developing robust T-Levels for the games industry will bolster the supply of talented people available to work in the UK’s high skills video games sector.
Incentivise training
The Government could consider providing fiscal incentives for smaller studios to invest in training, including for formal courses and qualifications.
Reform the apprenticeship levy
The apprenticeship levy could be transformed into a general training levy to enable employers to spend the resources on any high-quality training programme.
Operate a competitive visa and salary system
This will enable studios to recruit highly skilled people from overseas cost effectively, seize new commercial opportunities, increase employment and expand their businesses more easily.
Ensure competition in the game engine and platform markets
The Government and the Competition and Markets Authority need to be alert to the dominance of big companies in the game engine and platform markets.