Politician Demands David Cameron Upholds Video Games Tax Break Promise
It pays for itself.
Labour's Wavertree MP Luciana Berger has come forward to support the continuing campaign to provide tax relief to homegrown video game developers.
In response to a report by industry body TIGA that urges the UK government to adopt its Games Tax Relief proposal - which it says would cost £194m but generate £394m back in receipts - Berger said she sees no reason why David Cameron wouldn't be more supportive of the idea.
“The tax relief would work just like the existing tax break for British films, and I have been asking David Cameron in Parliament why he won’t uphold his pre-election pledge and introduce it," the MP told the Liverpool Daily Post.
“The truth is this tax relief supports British industry, pays for itself, and could create over 3,000 jobs. It’s David Cameron’s duty to back winners in our economy and adopt a strategy for growth. The industry produces games not just for the living room, but also as educational tools in schools, and for training in areas such as defence, where it is too dangerous to train in person."
This all comes shortly after Activision announced the closure of Bizarre Creations, which will result in the loss of 200 jobs. TIGA's report showed that the UK video games industry headcount had fallen by 9 per cent since 2008, with tax revenues falling by £55m.
Berger has spoken up in favour of the industry in the past, and now she is asking the question, “How many more must we lose before the Government realises it is not in the country’s economic interest to withhold support from our most successful businesses, and a creative industry which last year generated £1.3bn for Britain?"
It's a fair one to ask, really.
In response to a report by industry body TIGA that urges the UK government to adopt its Games Tax Relief proposal - which it says would cost £194m but generate £394m back in receipts - Berger said she sees no reason why David Cameron wouldn't be more supportive of the idea.
“The tax relief would work just like the existing tax break for British films, and I have been asking David Cameron in Parliament why he won’t uphold his pre-election pledge and introduce it," the MP told the Liverpool Daily Post.
“The truth is this tax relief supports British industry, pays for itself, and could create over 3,000 jobs. It’s David Cameron’s duty to back winners in our economy and adopt a strategy for growth. The industry produces games not just for the living room, but also as educational tools in schools, and for training in areas such as defence, where it is too dangerous to train in person."
This all comes shortly after Activision announced the closure of Bizarre Creations, which will result in the loss of 200 jobs. TIGA's report showed that the UK video games industry headcount had fallen by 9 per cent since 2008, with tax revenues falling by £55m.
Berger has spoken up in favour of the industry in the past, and now she is asking the question, “How many more must we lose before the Government realises it is not in the country’s economic interest to withhold support from our most successful businesses, and a creative industry which last year generated £1.3bn for Britain?"
It's a fair one to ask, really.
Companies:
TIGA
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