TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, said today that the House of Lords Communications Committee had effectively backed TIGA’s campaign for Games Tax Relief. The Committee published its first report into The British Film and Television Industries today. Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, made the case for a games production tax credit in evidence to the Committee in July 2009, together with other industry figures, including TIGA member Simon Gardner, CEO of Climax Studios.

The House of Lords Communications Committee said:
“We recognise the claims of the videogames industry for support in the face of foreign government-subsidised competition, and recommend that the Government consider providing tax incentives for videogames production.”
(See http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldselect/ldcomuni/37/3706.htm).


Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“It is very encouraging that the cross-party, highly respected House of Lords Communications Committee has recommended that the Government should consider providing tax incentives for videogames production.

“We know that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s priority is to introduce Games Tax Relief. Additionally, Ed Vaizey MP, Conservative Shadow Arts Minister, said at a Westminster eForum event on January 21, 2010 that while he could not make a firm promise, he would want to introduce a tax measure supportive of the video games sector within two to three years of a Conservative administration, if the Party was to be elected to Government in the general election this year. TIGA’s Games Tax Relief campaign is gaining significant supporters. We will continue to advance the case to HM Treasury.”

Jason Kingsley, Chairman of TIGA and CEO and Creative Director of Rebellion Studios, said:
“Today’s report by the House of Lords Communications Committee demonstrates that TIGA’s relentless campaign on behalf of the UK games industry is making an impact. Senior politicians from the key political parties now aspire to introduce TIGA’s Games Tax Relief. We will continue to drive the argument forward, as well as advancing policies and services to benefit the games industry in other ways.”

GamesPress