In advance of polling (election) day on May 6 in the UK, the Entertainment and Leisure Publishers Association (ELSPA) trade organization has issued a call to the Conservative Party for it to clarify its stance on videogame tax breaks.
The Conservatives had promised to release a “mini manifesto” on the subject last month, but with just a couple of days to go before the election no official word had been issued as of yet.
ELSPA Director General Michael Rawlinson stated, “We urge the Conservatives to publish their mini manifesto on creative industries before May 6th. The Conservative Party has spoken on numerous occasions of their commitment towards the videogames industry and creative industries in general, and our importance in helping to provide a more balanced UK economy.”
He continued:
We therefore call on the Party to officially publish their intentions for the games industry and the creative sector as a whole. There are only 2 days left until polling day. It is essential that the Conservatives let the many millions of voters who work in the games business, enjoy our products and benefit from the positive economic and cultural impact we provide, their commitment to our industry.
The Labour and Liberal Democrat parties have indicated that they both back tax breaks for game developers. Conservative Shadow Minister Ed Vaizey previously warned that, in his opinion, the ascension of Conservatives into power would delay tax breaks for interactive developers.
