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UK Chancellor George Osborne: I'm 'open to ideas' about how to follow up Games Tax Relief

Celebrates industry at BAFTA at UKIE event

UK Chancellor George Osborne: I'm 'open to ideas' about how to follow up Games Tax Relief

George Osborne, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, has claimed the Government is open to ideas as to how to further support the games industry after the roll out of Games Tax Relief.

Speaking at BAFTA at an event co-hosted by trade association UKIE and the TV Coalition, the Chancellor said the Treasury is not a "repository of knowledge" when it comes to how to support the country's creative industries – it relies on the insight of those working in the field.

"It's great to be here after a great fight by your industry to persuade the Government and a long fight by the Government to persuade the European Union," detailed Osborne.

"The work the industry has done to promote the TV tax credit around the world has been commendable. And I'm open to further ideas about what we can do in this space –the games credit was something the industry campaigned for.

"There is no great repository of knowledge in the treasury about what makes a great creative industry in the UK. So our door is open."

Twist and shout

The event, which was designed to illustrate how similar tax breaks for television already in effect have benefited the sector, saw UKIE CEO Dr. Jo Twist praise all those involved in bringing about Games Tax Relief, including fellow trade association TIGA.

George Osborne takes to the stand

"It's amazing what happens when the industry rallies around a single issue," detailed Twist, who opened the event.

"And this is only the start. The Chancellor recently said that the latest budget is for makers and for doers, and boy do we have lots of them in this great nation."

Osborne's comments were further backed up by Ed Vaizey, the minister for creative industries (or, as Twist affectionately called him, the "minster for games") who dubbed Games Tax Relief as a "real game changer" in a video broadcasted at the event.

"This is going to make a real impact in terms of people thinking of investing in the UK from around the world," he detailed.

"The investment the Chancellor is putting in to ensure the talent keeps coming through is fantastic."

Growing up

For UKIE vice chair and industry veteran Ian Livingstone, Games Tax Relief is also evidence that the games industry is finally recognised as being "cultural".

"That's fantastic news," stated Livingstone. "Does that mean we're finally grown ups? I hope not."

He continued, "The UK games industry has done amazing things without support, so we can only imagine what we'll achieve now. The only strange thing was why did it take the EC so long to work out whether or not games were cultural.

"Do they not own smartphones? Have they never played Candy Crush Saga or Words With Friends in their lives? Why are games still seen by many as the poor relation of TV and film?

"We have some of the most famous games studios in the whole world. We are particularly good at making games.

"The Chancellor now just mentioned Game of Thrones [being filmed in the UK] -– it's vital right now that the UK wins 'Game of Phones'."

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With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.