DCMS "fully aware" of industry finance issues
Government department to set up round table discussion to hear concerns
The UK government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport has told GamesIndustry.biz that it is aware of the challenges that the country's videogames business faces from overseas competition, and that it is trying to find solutions.
However, it did add that the letter outlining specific concerns, sent by Sheridans Solicitors to Secretary of State Andy Burnham MP, had not yet been received by the department.
"When it is, Ministers will respond in full in the normal way," assured a spokesperson. "We are fully aware of the issues facing the videogames industry and are working across Government to explore sector specific incentives, although decisions on tax policy remain a matter for the Chancellor."
The spokesperson went on to point out that a number of developers already take advantage of some support in the form of R&D tax credits, and confirmed that the department was seeking further discussions with the industry on the subject.
"We are in the process of arranging a videogames roundtable which will provide an opportunity for industry to discuss their concerns in more detail and explore possible solutions."
Tiga's Richard Wilson has also written to Lord Mandelson on the same issue, with the UK's development business facing up to the possibility of falling further behind in the global marketplace, largely thanks to tax incentives being applied liberally elsewhere by overseas governments.