TIGA Outlines “Three Key Priorities” For UK Government to Implement

The UK games industry body, TIGA, has announced today the “three key priorities” that the UK Coalition Government must implement to allow the games industry in the UK to grow. Speaking at the Develop Conference, Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA’s CEO, has said that these measures can be seen as a  “concrete set of policies for the Westminster Coalition Government which will support the videogames industry and foster its continued growth.”

In a nutshell, the three priorities set out by Dr Wilson were “the introduction of Games Tax Relief or a similar tax relief as soon as possible; the retention and expansion of the SME R&D tax credit scheme; and a reduction in tuition fess for students studying mathematics and computer science degrees.”

It seems unlikely that tuition fees will be lowered, even with the Liberal Democrats (sort of) in office, but tax relief for the industry is something that TIGA have been pushing and pushing at- and it seems that they will continue to do so until they get what they- and most of the industry stakeholders- want.

Dr Richard Wilson:

“TIGA’s priority is to continue to campaign for Games Tax Relief or a similar tax relief. Games Tax Relief would create a level playing field with our overseas competitors, generate investment and increase skilled employment.

“TIGA also supports the retention and expansion of the Small Firms R&D tax credit scheme. This scheme is essential for the development of new IP and technology that will allow the UK to remain a leading creative force.

“In education the Government should address the skill shortage that the games industry faces through the provision of lower tuition fees for computer science and mathematics degree courses and investment in higher education. There is also a need for greater collaboration between the videogames industry and educators via industrial secondments and knowledge transfer. A career in the videogames industry should be promoted in schools to encourage the study of mathematics and science.”

TIGA’s Policy Agenda:

Tax:
Games Tax Relief is the industry’s top priority and should be introduced at the earliest opportunity.
The rate of relief under the SME R&D tax credit scheme should be increased from 175 per cent of qualifying expenditure to 250 per cent.
Engineers and scientists should be recruited into HMRC specialist R&D Tax Credit evaluation units.

Education:
The videogames industry should be promoted as a career option at school to encourage the study of science and mathematics subjects.
Expenditure on higher education should be increased to ensure that UK universities remain internationally competitive and can provide world beating tertiary education.
Tuition fees for students studying mathematics and computer science degrees should be reduced.
Industrial secondments and knowledge transfer between universities and games businesses should be promoted.
Skillset, the Sector Skills Council for Creative Media, should promote STEM subjects and art and animation courses at school, and support those working in the games industry to undertake higher-level training.

General:
More financial support for videogames should be delivered through national programmes. Existing Regional Development Agency funding for video games is irrational and inequitable.
Accredited trade organisations like TIGA should be able to use UK Trade & Investment (UKT&I) grants to cover travel and accommodation costs as well exhibition expenses.
Government ministers in Whitehall and in Edinburgh and politicians in Westminster and Holyrood should engage with trade associations such as TIGA when devising policy. TIGA is a voluntary organisation that genuinely represents the videogames sector.