MPs call for increased government support in video game industry
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Britain's video game industry needs greater government support if it is to increase the number of jobs on offer over the coming years, according to two cross-party MPs.
Labour's Tom Watson and the Conservative Party's John Whittingdale say such backing is vital for what they call "a highly-skilled, export-orientated, low carbon industry".
In a Commons early day motion tabled in response to the last Budget, the MPs call for an extension of Research and Development tax credits which rose by 200 per cent in April.
The politicians feel the tax credits should also include the cost of premises as well as applications for the protection of intellectual property and design.
Industry body TIGA, which spent a year arguing the case for a rise in R&D tax credits with MPs, HM Treasury and the Government, has welcomed the motion.
"The Government was right to raise the level of qualifying relief in respect of the R&D Tax Credit in the March Budget," says TIGA CEO Dr Richard Wilson. "Yet the Government should go further. It should now extend the scope of R&D tax credits to include costs incurred in development including premises costs and the cost of applying for intellectual property protection and design."
Whittingdale, who chairs the Commons culture, media and sport select committee, is a keen supporter of the video game sector and he has backed tax relief for the industry.
Watson has often expressed anger at the way gaming is treated by some media and he set up a group called Gamers' Voice in 2009 to allow players to hit back.
Britain has a strong reputation within the video game sector, having produced blockbuster titles such as Grand Theft Auto and Tomb Raider. The industry contributes £1bn annually to UK GDP.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments