Labour launches new Creative Industries Network

Last night Labour launched its new Creative Industries Network, designed to connect arts and business organisations.

Shadow culture secretary Ivan Lewis MP announced the scheme, which will review the tax treatment of the creative industries.

"The Conservative-led government has so far failed to provide the strategic leadership which is urgently required, and in education and the arts, they are implementing policies which are damaging the foundations of our creative success," said Lewis.

Trade association TIGA responded to the launch with further requests for the introduction of Games Tax Relief.

"The Labour Party, the SNP, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats all publicly supported Games Tax Relief before the last general election. It made economic sense then; it continues to make economic sense now," said TIGA CEO Richard Wilson.

"The UK video games development sector is still the largest in Europe and the global market for video games is growing. However, while other governments in countries including Canada and the USA support their video games industries with sector specific tax breaks, the UK does not. As a result, employment in the UK games development sector shrunk by 9 per cent between 2008 and 2010."