UK’s dismissal of games tax break is ‘extraordinary’

Prime Minister David Cameron today said the UK would continue to offer a tax break for film – much to the chagrin of Tiga.

The trade association this morning said it was ‘extraordinary’ that the Government continues to subsidise UK film, but not games.

Earlier in the year, outgoing Labour authorities promised a tax break for games development – but the new coalition Conservative-LibDem government soon said that wasn’t an option, and was ‘poorly targeted’.

During today’s Prime Minister’s Questions, Cameron said he was committed to Film Tax Credits after a question from the Conservative MP for Watford, Richard Harrington, who asked about the movie subsidies in light of Warner Bros’ recent purchase of Leavesden Studios in Hertfordshire.

“Whilst, we are pleased that our friends in the film industry will continue to receive sector specific support, we find it extraordinary that the Government continues to oppose introducing Games Tax Relief," said Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO.

"Richard Harrington MP made clear in his question that a key contributing factor to Warner Brothers’ decision to continue to invest in the UK, and create 600 more jobs in Watford, was the film tax credit.

"If the shoe fits for the film industry why does the Government continue to argue it does not for the video games industry?”