UK tax relief has ‘positive impact’ on UK games development

It’s not the most generous tax relief in the world, apparently

Though the UK games industry still needs to be “on par” with the British film industry, tax relief is already having a positive impact on the UK games industry.

“In 2014 the European Commission gave the green light and the tax break was introduced,” Richard Wilson, boss of UK trade body, Tiga, told the BBC.

“What it essentially means is the cost of making video games in the UK is reduced. It means we can compete on a much more level playing field against our oversees competitors.”

“We have a good tax relief. It’s not the most generous in the world but it is a good relief and it’s already having a positive impact on the industry.”

“We’ve seen signs of games companies setting up and expanding in the UK and we know games companies that were previously considering shifting production oversees have changed their minds and have stayed in the UK.”

However, Wilson also added that “the film industry still benefits over and above the gaming industry,” with film studios also receiving funding from National Lottery, too.

If you ran the country and could bring changes to how the system works in the UK, what would you do to make a positive change?