Gamer’s Voice Teaming With TIGA on UK Tax Relief Issue

Gamer’s Voice, a Facebook group started and promoted by UK Labour MP Tom Watson, is backing TIGA on the push for the coalition government to rethink the decision to scrap plans for tax relief for the UK games industry.

The group is currently pushing its members to write to their MPs and get them to sign this Early Day Motion in the Houses of Parliament. The EDM, proposed by Stewart Hosie, reads thus:

That this House condemns the decision by the Chancellor of the Exchequer to abandon plans for tax relief for the computer games industry; considers that this decision will affect Scotland disproportionately, as Dundee alone accounts for 10 per cent. of the total UK computer games industry; further considers tax relief necessary to enable the industry to be on a level playing field with competitors, such as France, Canada, Japan and South Korea, already offering tax relief; notes that a recent report from games industry body TIGA showed that, over five years, the tax breaks would cost an estimated £192 million but would deliver £415 million in tax receipts; and calls for this important industry to be given the support that it needs to ensure its continued success.

“Games tax relief will be good for the UK economy, for the UK games industry and UK consumers,” Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said. “[We] intend to lead the campaign for games tax relief or a similar measure. I am delighted at the prospect of working with Gamers’ Voice to achieve this objective. Gamers’ Voice cares about the industry, they are passionate and about the industry and they are devoted to the industry. We will be working closely together to obtain games tax relief.”

It’s good to see that there is such a push from TIGA and others to get the government to change its mind on this important issue. Strangely enough, though, Tom Watson- one of the most prominent videogaming advocates in Parliament- hasn’t signed the EDM above. I assume he will do so soon, but for now it looks a little strange.

[Via EDGE]