UK trade association TIGA has published research highlighting the British games industry's return to growth following a three-year decline in employment.

The report states that employment in the UK games development sector grew by 4 percent in 2012, and TIGA has cited mobile gaming as one of the key factors responsible for this upturn.

"The increasing prevalence of mobile and tablet devices have created a growing market for games: studios are setting up to meet this demand," explained TIGA CEO Dr Richard Wilson, in a statement.

"The UK economy may be on the verge of a triple dip recession but the recovery in the UK games development sector has taken off. Employment, investment and start-ups are up. The games development industry is growing again."

Sweet relief

TIGA also claims that the Games Tax Relief it successfully lobbied the UK government for is already stimulating growth, pointing to investment in UK studios from major international firms such as Blizzard, Konami and GREE.

"The UK games development sector is back on track. Mobile and internet based gaming provide opportunities for growth; we have access to a highly skilled and creative workforce; and TIGA's Games Tax Relief will give a further boost to employment and investment from April 2013," added TIGA chairman and Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley.

"The UK has everything to play for."