UK game industry group TIGA is continuing its full court press for the introduction of Games Tax Relief and other measures that would assist game developers in the region.
This time around TIGA used comments put forth by Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to once again push its initiatives. Hunt called for the UK to become a “digital superpower by 2015,” while noting that the UK was “probably the second best country in the world in the creation of digital content.”
TIGA chief Dr. Richard Wilson answered Hunt’s call, stating, “The UK creative industries have great potential. However, we cannot will the end without the means. Many other countries have high hopes for the economic potential of their own creative industries and are investing significant sums in them. The UK cannot be a digital superpower on the cheap.”
Wilson continued:
As far as the UK video games sector is concerned, while we have a proud heritage of game development, our industry is at a disadvantage vis-a-vis many of our overseas competitors who benefit from tax breaks for games production. Our industry lacks this support.
The UK Coalition Government should look again at the case for Games Tax Relief, it must maintain and enhance R&D tax credits, support prototype development and increase the supply of highly skilled graduates.”
