Tory Party unsure when games industry manifesto will appear

The Conservative Party has said that it's unsure when its mini-manifesto detailing policies for the games industry will be released, despite earlier reports stating that it would be this week.

Fears mounted last week that the Tories were about to U-turn on their pledge to support the games industry and tax breaks after the party's manifesto failed to mention a single industry policy.

Labour MP Tom Watson quickly questioned the emission, saying on Twitter: "Very worried that industry tax breaks not in manifesto. Other tax breaks are. Suspect their Treasury team have won battle."

However, Tory culture minister Ed Vaizey responded with assurances that the party remained committed to the tax break, and TIGA's Richard Wilson confirmed to GamesIndustry.biz that it had promised a "mini-manifesto" which would contain a set of policies specifically targeted at the games industry.

With that mini-manifesto due this week though, the Tory party is running out of time and a spokesperson for the party was unsure today of when it would appear.

"Things are continually getting moved around on the grid," they said, adding that no one would know when the paper would appear until the day before its publication.

Wilson said last week that the industry had received an "unambiguous measure of support by the Labour party" in its manifesto, which pledged ongoing commitment to the introduction of tax breaks.

"It's vital, absolutely critical, that the Conservative party backs games tax relief. That is the number one priority for the industry," he added.