Government 'still committed to video games sector'
COMMUNICATIONS minister Ed Vaizey says the Government is still committed to the video games industry - despite its decision not to offer tax breaks to developers.
The video games industry is one of Merseyside and Cheshire's economic success stories, with hundreds employed at firms such as Sony and Bizarre Creations.
Speaking at the Develop industry conference in Brighton today, Mr Vaizey listed a number of measures the coalition government is taking to support growth in the sector.
They included:
- The formal launch of a ã2m fund to help small businesses create video games prototypes. The fund will be managed by the University of Abertay in Dundee, which will welcome applications from eligible businesses across the UK. A new video games centre of excellence is being created in Dundee.
- The announcement of an independent review of education and training in the UK games sector to be spearheaded by Ian Livingstone OBE, life president of Eidos, and carried out by NESTA and Skillset. Mr Vaizey said the Government wanted to produce a better-skilled workforce for the sector.
He also welcomed trade bodies Tiga and ELSPA's announcement this week that they would be working together to review tax support for the games sector.
He said: "Government recognises the difficult challenges faced by the UK video games industry in the wake of a new economic climate. It is an industry that has real potential to create the high quality jobs of the future that will be so important as we recover from the recession.
"We need to invest in talent that will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of games creativity. That is why it is important to focus on skills and on giving small companies the support they have been telling us they need to help them take forward innovative new games concepts.
"These small and start-up companies will play an important part in enhancing the international competitiveness of our games industry, whilst showing the UK is open for business."
Develop is one of the biggest conferences in the world video gaming calendar. Last November Liverpool hosted the first Northern Develop conference.
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Alistair Houghton
LDP Business reporter Alistair Houghton brings you the latest news and views from the creative sector in Merseyside. Get in touch if you've got a story you want to tell
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