Tory "mini manifesto" to provide "critical" tax details

Following accusations the Conservative Party could be about to U-turn on its pledge to support the games industry and tax breaks, it has emerged the party is set to release a "mini manifesto" that will set out a range of policies specifically relating to the games sector.

Fears mounted after the Tories failed to mention the games industry in its election manifesto published yesterday - with the 131 page document making just one passing reference to the industry in Glasgow.

However, Richard Wilson of TIGA said that the party seemed set to release a mini manifesto next week, adding that its contents will be "critical" for the games industry.

"I've heard that they're going to come out with a mini manifesto next week, or a mini set of policies with regards to the games industry," said Wilson.

"It's excellent news and vital - absolutely critical - that the Conservative party backs games tax relief. That is the number one priority for the industry.

"We've got survey evidence to show that it's the measure that games companies, developers in particular, favour the most. We put in a substantial report last year to the government, but also available to the opposition parties, making the case for games tax relief.

"I genuinely believe that if there's one measure that will allow the games industry in the UK to continue to grow and avoid decline, it's got to be games tax relief. I think that all other measures are entirely secondary."

"Publicly, all of the political parties are very positive about the games industry," added Wilson. "But I think the 28,000 members of the games industry want to know exactly where they stand on games tax relief - it's a really critical point. I think we're all looking forward to seeing further details."

Wilson said that it was "obviously interesting" that the Labour party had repeated its commitment to the games tax relief in its own manifesto, published on Monday. "I think that we've had an unambiguous measure of support by the Labour party in their manifesto," he added.

Conservative parliamentary candidate for Nottingham East and senior producer and programme manager for Monumental Games, Ewan Lamont, added he would be "very surprised" if the Tory party didn't follow up its pledge to introduce the industry tax breaks.

"I know that we have long argued for some form of fiscal support for the games industry and welcomed the announcement in the budget and so I would be very surprised if we did not introduce it when in government," he told GamesIndustry.biz.

"If elected myself I would happily be an advocate for our industry inside parliament and help ensure that the growth of creative industries is fully supported."

The Liberal Democrats' manifesto, published in full today, has failed to mention the games industry at all, although Don Foster - at a recent panel discussion event hosted by ELSPA - pledged his party's support of tax breaks.