TIGA: Lower Tax is "Holy Grail" for UK Video Game Industry
Tax break for games production required.
Tiga, the national trade association for UK and European game developers has called directly for tax breaks to aid the local industry.
Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, is quoted as stating, "Lower business taxation, a greater supply of good quality graduates and vigorous support for research and development should be the holy grail of policy for the games industry.
The UK video games industry already possesses a skilled workforce, experienced management teams and an effective approach to outsourcing. Our industry will be world beating with a policy framework that leads to lighter business taxation, an increase in the supply of graduates and which supports knowledge transfer and research and development.
This is what Tiga is calling for in bullet-point form:
lighter business taxation, achieved either through a tax break for games production and training or through lower corporation tax;
an increase in mathematics and science graduates to be achieved through a range of policies, including a reduction in tuition fees for mathematics and computer science undergraduates; and
measures to promote knowledge transfer both between universities and the games industry and between the games sector and other industries, for example, via the Creative Industries Technology Innovation Network, of which Tiga is a member.
Although this is not a new idea from either Tiga or ELSPA, you would have to question the timing given current economic conditions.
Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, is quoted as stating, "Lower business taxation, a greater supply of good quality graduates and vigorous support for research and development should be the holy grail of policy for the games industry.
The UK video games industry already possesses a skilled workforce, experienced management teams and an effective approach to outsourcing. Our industry will be world beating with a policy framework that leads to lighter business taxation, an increase in the supply of graduates and which supports knowledge transfer and research and development.
This is what Tiga is calling for in bullet-point form:
lighter business taxation, achieved either through a tax break for games production and training or through lower corporation tax;
an increase in mathematics and science graduates to be achieved through a range of policies, including a reduction in tuition fees for mathematics and computer science undergraduates; and
measures to promote knowledge transfer both between universities and the games industry and between the games sector and other industries, for example, via the Creative Industries Technology Innovation Network, of which Tiga is a member.
Although this is not a new idea from either Tiga or ELSPA, you would have to question the timing given current economic conditions.
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Comments
Joji 30 Sep 2008 22:44
1/2
We are all in favour of this, but will the muppets in government fix it for us?
Perhaps considering the recent financial meltdown, and the games industry being somewhat immune to most economic problems, they should give those tax breaks, before more U.K talent moves abroad.
Perhaps considering the recent financial meltdown, and the games industry being somewhat immune to most economic problems, they should give those tax breaks, before more U.K talent moves abroad.
TimSpong 1 Oct 2008 08:51
2/2
Joji wrote:
We are all in favour of this, but will the muppets in government fix it for us?
We are all in favour of it? Since when is that true? I know at least one Forum poster who is not in favour of tax cuts for the industry. I'm also aware of several people in the industry who, staunchly "free" market as they are, would baulk at the idea that tax breaks rather than better-selling games solve any longterm problems.
Joji wrote:
Perhaps considering the recent financial meltdown, and the games industry being somewhat immune to most economic problems, they should give those tax breaks, before more U.K talent moves abroad.
Can you be 'somewhat immune'? Anyway, will corporate tax breaks actually result in any more money going to actual staff members within devs and pubs? In the event that those breaks result in more game sales, it is more likely that this will be passed to shareholders as dividends?
Right now, would you, as a talented UK game maker, be prepared to see investment companies benefit when your actual cost of living is shooting through the roof? Having a few bob to pay the electricity bill, for food and fuel might entice you to stay.
Let's face it, all the marketing, PR and middle management in the world do not make games.
Tim