I really do hate to bring this amount of politics to our beloved website as it always seems to bring frustrating and highly annoying news. Yesterday we reported that the UK government were ignoring the games industry and refusing to give much-needed tax breaks. We then brought you TIGA’s response in regards to the issue. Today I had a read of the Pre-Budget report itself and they don’t ignore the games idustry altogether…there is one paragraph!
Ironically it’s in chapter 4, which is entitled ‘Supporting Business and Growth’…well there’s an epic fail right there. So what did the government have to say about the whole situation?
The creative industries, including the video games industry, make a valuable economic and cultural contribution to the UK. The Government committed in Digital Britain to work with the video games industry to collect and review the evidence for the introduction of a tax incentive to promote the development of culturally British video games. While recognising the challenges currently faced by the sector in competing internationally, the Government is not currently persuaded that the evidence is sufficiently compelling to justify the introduction of a tax incentive for the development of culturally British video games at this time.
Gobsmacked! I want you to re-read this bit:
…the Government is not currently persuaded that the evidence is sufficiently compelling to justify the introduction of a tax incentive for the development of culturally British video games at this time.
Dear Government,
Are you looking for something similar to the Cash for Honours system, would that help? What needs to happen for you to become ‘pursuaded’? The UK Games Industry is larger than the Film Industry, it’s wanting to create thousands of jobs and will more than make up the money that the tax breaks will offer. Is this not evidence enough for you? You aren’t going to recognise the UK Games Industry even if it was plastered on the side a wet salmon and slapped across your smug, bushy-eyebrowed face, will you?
Throughout your Pre-Budget Report you talk about rescuing this country from the recession and committing to new businesses and industries. You talk about how you are going to dedicate funds to help with this and you talk about ensuring aid in order to respond to industries’ needs.
You are very good at creating 216 pages of promises but I’m afraid that’s about the extent of your use. You talk a good game but when a massive opportunity is presented to you in the form of the UK Games Industry, you shy away and none of these promises come to fruition.
You are full of it!
Lewis.
If you fancy having a depressing day you can read the government’s full report here, or you can read the specific chapter in which the above statement comes from, here.