TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry, welcomed comments by The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP Secretary of State for Culture, Media, the Olympics and Sport, concerning Games Tax Relief. The Secretary of State stated yesterday in evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee that Games Tax relief was “constantly under review”. Jeremy Hunt was being questioned on the matter by the Conservative MP for Folkestone & Hythe, Damian Collins
Dr. Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, commented:
“We welcome Jeremy Hunt’s pronouncement on Games Tax Relief. Whilst, we were delighted that the Government made changes to the R&D tax credits which we campaigned for in last week’s Budget, the introduction of TIGA’s Games Tax Relief is the one measure which would really power the UK video games sector forward.
The UK games industry is competing on a very uneven playing field. Many of our overseas competitors benefit from tax breaks for games production. The UK does not. The Canadian games industry grew by 33 per cent in terms of headcount between 2008 and 2010. The UK games industry declined by 9 per cent.
“TIGA will continue to strengthen the case for Games Tax Relief and clearly focus this tax relief. We will also continue to campaign for this measure – one that has cross party support in the House of Commons and which is supported by the Scottish National Party and the Scottish Labour Party.”