Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC)

An increase in the generosity of the Government’s newly proposed Video Games Expenditure Credit (VGEC). TIGA recommends that the proportion of qualifying expenditure should be increased from 80 per cent to 100 per cent. Alternatively, the rate of VGEC could be increased from 34 per cent to 39 per cent of 80 per cent of qualifying expenditure. This would be in line with the Animation and Children’s TV credit rate of 39 per cent.

Video Games Investment Fund (VGIF)

The establishment of a Video Games Investment Fund (VGIF) to provide pound-for-pound match funding of between £75,000 and £500,000 to games developers throughout the UK.

Industrial Secondments Programme (ISP)

The establishment of an Industrial Secondments Programme (ISP) to enhance skills development in video games and so support students, lecturers and industry.

Skills Investment Fund (SIF)

The reinstatement of the Skills Investment Fund (SIF) to provide matched funding for games industry skill development.

BTECs

The funding for BTECs to be retained and enhanced to bolster the supply of talent to work in the UK’s high skills video games sector.

UK Games Fund

The UK Games Fund should continue to receive support from the UK Government. The Fund offers grants of up to £25,000 to businesses looking to build game prototypes.

”The UK’s game development sector generates annual tax revenues of £1,2 billion for the Treasury and contributes £2.9 billion to UK GDP annually. The Government can encourage further growth in the sector – if it takes six TIGA policies forward.

Enhancing VGEC will drive investment and employment in the sector. Introducing a VGIF and maintaining the UK Games Fund will improve studios’ access to finance and ability to expand. Introducing an Industrial Secondments Programme and a Skills Investment Fund will promote workforce development. Continuing to fund BTECs will promote the supply of talent available to work in the sector.

If the Government takes these six policies forward then it can help drive employment growth in our highly-skilled, regionally based, export-oriented sector.

Dr Richard Wilson OBETIGA, CEO

TIGA’s manifesto received a positive reception by MPs from across the House of Commons:

John Whittingdale OBE MP

“The CMS Select Committee has consistently championed the Creative Industries for their huge importance to our economy and the creation of jobs. One of the key contributors is the video games Industry and TIGA continues to do a great job in highlighting this and campaigning for more support. This manifesto contains a number of excellent proposals which I hope all the Parties will consider them seriously.”

“TIGA has done a consistently good job of spreading awareness of this vital industry at Westminster and elevating the industry’s standing in Whitehall. I congratulate TIGA on devising a comprehensive, credible and coherent policy agenda for the UK games industry.”

Justin Tomlinson MP

Damian Collins MP

“I am pleased that TIGA has developed this comprehensive set of policy proposals to help the UK games industry to build on the success of Games Tax Relief..”

“TIGA has done a consistently good job of spreading awareness of this vital industry at Westminster and elevating the industry’s standing in Whitehall. I congratulate TIGA on devising a comprehensive, credible and coherent policy agenda for the UK games industry.”

Luciana Berger MP

Stephen Timms MP

“I know from my time as a Minister in the Treasury what a good track record TIGA has in making well considered submissions to Government and just how persuasive TIGA’s arguments can be. That is why the proposals in this manifesto deserve serious consideration by all those formulating policy proposals in advance of the 2015 General Election.”

“I commend the proposals contained within this manifesto and wholeheartedly agree that these ideas will stimulate the thinking and consideration of all MPs with an interest in the UK’s videogames industry and those responsible for the well-being of our national economy.

Chris White