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The games industry is growing impatient with the Conservative party.
Despite earlier promises to release a ‘mini-manifesto’ for the games industry, as exclusively detailed by Develop, the party has so far failed to explicitly express support for games industry tax breaks – and now ELSPA is urging it to do so.
However time is running out to curry industry favour – the UK General Election takes place in just two days.
Shadow culture secretary Ed Vaizey confidently assured us three weeks ago that his party would release a separate document outlining its support for the UK games industry after the Conservatives’ election manifesto failed to mention interactive entertainment at all – let alone offer support the tax breaks for games that current Government Labour detailed in its April budget.
But the document has failed to materialise.
And ELSPA is now urging the party to step up and fulfil its promise.
In a statement released to the press ELSPA Director General, Michael Rawlinson said: We urge the Conservatives to publish their mini manifesto on creative industries before May 6th. The Conservative Party has spoken on numerous occasions of their commitment towards the videogames industry and creative industries in general, and our importance in helping to provide a more balanced UK economy.
"We therefore call on the Party to officially publish their intentions for the games industry and the creative sector as a whole. There are only 2 days left until polling day. It is essential that the Conservatives let the many millions of voters who work in the games business, enjoy our products and benefit from the positive economic and cultural impact we provide, their commitment to our industry.”
Rival party the Liberal Democrats last week told UK games developer association Tiga that it would implement tax breaks for games production as soon as possible if elected into office.
