UK industry praises govt tax support

Leading figures in the UK games industry have praised the decision by the government to introduce tax relief incentives for the videogames sector.

Chancellor Alistair Darling today revealed the support, as the government looks to take on proposals by TIGA to introduce tax breaks.

Rebellion's CEO Jason Kingsley said it was a "decisive" achievement by TIGA in particular, which has campaigned tirelessly for tax support.

"There are around 1000 trade associations in the UK working to influence government policy," he said. "In 2009, only one sector was invited by the government to submit a case to change UK tax policy – the games industry. Only one trade association submitted a substantive, well researched case for games tax relief – TIGA.

"Only one trade association campaigned unremittingly for games tax relief right up to today’s budget – TIGA. Today, TIGA has delivered the industry’s top priority."

Mark Gerhard, CEO of Jagex, said the move sets the UK up "for further growth and innovation," adding "TIGA has been the only trade association to have consistently advanced the case for games tax relief."

"This is a real triumph for UK developers," added Gareth Edmonson, MD of Ubisoft Reflections. "It will enable the UK games industry to remain a success story."

Colin MacDonald, studio manager at APB developer Realtime Worlds added that tax relief can help stop UK development talent moving away from the region.

"The UK video games industry is one of the most creative and innovative in the world," he said. "This decision will mean we can continue to invest in UK talent and prevent brain drain to our overseas competitors. This is a great day for Scottish and UK-wide developers. It is also a major achievement by TIGA."