Draft Queen's speech doesn't help the games industry, says Tiga

Press release - May 15th 2008

Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, said today that the Government’s draft Queen’s speech would not enhance the competitiveness of the games industry.

Richard Wilson said,

“The business rates supplementary bill could increase the burden of rates on games developers. The proposal to consult on establishing departmental regulatory budgets is positive, but the attractiveness of using agency workers could be undermined if legislation in this area significantly increases the cost of employing temporary staff. The Government must proceed carefully.

“Giving employees the right to request training and extending the right to request flexible working to parents of older children should be manageable provided that the legislation is sensibly framed.

“Introducing a statutory right to apprenticeships may be good for some industries but is unlikely to help increase the pool of skilled labour available to the games industry. Games developers need a workforce that is typically educated to degree level. If the UK is to become the best place in the world to do games business, then the Government must make the tax environment more conducive to investment and increase the supply of highly skilled labour.

“The draft Queen’s speech does little to help the UK games industry.”

End

Notes to editors:

1. Tiga is the national trade association that represents games developers in the UK and in Europe. We have 157 members,

the majority of whom are games developers, but we also have outsourcing companies and technology businesses as members

who provide services to games developers. Tiga’s vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business.

2. For further information, please contact: Dr Richard Wilson, Tiga CEO on: 0845 0941095; Mob: 07875 939643; or: Email:

richard.wilson@tiga.org.