Blair backs new focus for games industry charity

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has lent his support to a new plan from the Entertainment Software Charity which will see the organisation focusing its backing on education through the government's Academies Programme.

Called "Schools - Building the Future through Games and Popular Culture", the new initiative outlines a five year plan to contribute to the funding of new schools which are being built around the UK, replacing some of the worst schools in the country.

The new focus for the charity was announced at its annual industry dinner event last night in London, and a pre-recorded video message from the Prime Minister confirmed his support for the initiative - and thanked the industry for its "immense and important" contribution to the national economy.

"Thank you to the Entertainment Software Charity for the work you are presently doing for Specialist Schools in our Secondary Schools system," Mr Blair said in his message. "I am delighted to offer words of thanks for what you have done and for what you are going to do. If you can become involved in the Academies Programme it will be of enormous importance to the life chances of some of the most disadvantaged kids in our country.....already we have seen areas of the country which would average reasonable GCSE rates of just 7-8 per cent change to between 50-60 per cent."

Commenting on the new programme, ESC chief executive Mark Strachan said that "tonight the ESC becomes more focused in its goals, more clearly defined in how it spends its funds. We, the games industry, have a special relationship with young people. They buy the games we make. I am therefore delighted to announce Schools, a games industry initiative which will provide us with our focus over the next five years."

The Academies Programme which the charity will be funding works by using private funding as a catalyst for the new school, with sponsors paying some £2 million to which the government adds an additional £18 million to fund the building.