House of Commons debate sparks discussion on games as an ‘art form’ deserving of Government support
Westminster has made a surprise public turnaround regarding its position on game tax breaks, with Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw suggesting that the Labour government is considering further support for the UK games industry.
Speaking at a Digital Britain House of Commons debate last night, Bradshaw was asked by Labour MP Tom Watson whether the ruling Labour party had the interests of the games industry at heart:
“Will my hon. Friend ensure that ‘Digital Britain’ takes heed of the interests of the very successful UK video games industry,” he asked.
“Video games make their players think, and they challenge them and make them focus, and many people in Britain believe that a medium that does that should be elevated to an art form. I hope my hon. Friend's Department gives the video games industry a similar status to that of the UK music and film industries.”
In response, Bradshaw offered an assurance that the Labour government recognises “the importance of the video games industry to the British economy.”
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“Research and development tax credits are available for the industry, and we are looking at introducing further tax breaks,” he added.
“We will deal with the issue of classification, and other announcements that will, I think, please my hon. Friend will form part of the final report.”
BREAKING NEWS!!!
Labour has promised something in a loose manner!!!
Of course, first we will need to run an ENDLESS independent review on what we might be thinking about, and will fail to give you the right answer after we're voted out.
As the Bee-Gees say, "It's only words, and words are all I have"
..."to take your vote away"
?
Glad we're all in agreement here. The entire UK is sick of this Labour mess.
Lowering your vote so some BNP scumbags get in is really the most pathetic thing these old eyes have seen. I used to be an old cloth-cap Labour supporter, but what I supported died in front of me and is replaced by a total mess of a party.
Well done to Tom Watson for raising the isue of games as an art form. One step at a time eh guys.
“We will deal with the issue of classification,"
This line bothers me. I have a funny feeling that we'll wind up with "okay, the games industry can have tax breaks so long as every game is rated by the BBFC, gets an automatic 18 certificate, carries a cigarette-style warning label about addiction that covers half of the box and can only be sold in licenced shops, but not actually to anyone."
