Impact of the UK Government's Industrial Strategy and Immigration White Paper on the UK Gaming Industry

Laurence Keir-Thomas, a director at Fragomen, a global immigration law firm, provides insights into the implications of the proposed changes to UK immigration law for the UK gaming industry. The UK's Modern Industrial Strategy and the immigration white paper mark a significant shift in the immigration policy landscape, presenting both challenges and opportunities for the gaming industry. For the first time, immigration is being treated as a key component of industrial policy and a lever of economic growth. The UK Government's Creative Industries Sector Plan positions the gaming industry as a key pillar of the UK's growth strategy, including a £30 million Games Growth Package and an industry-led Games Skills Strategy. However, the immigration white paper introduces measures to restrict the Skilled Worker visa route, which may hit the gaming sector hard. The sector plans outline welcome reforms, such as changes to the Global Talent visa route and the expansion of the High Potential Individual visa route. Nevertheless, the rising costs for Skilled Worker sponsorship pose real challenges for the industry. To address these challenges, studios are advised to be proactive, reassess hiring budgets, prioritize long-term workforce planning, and engage with the government to shape the immigration framework for the future. The gaming industry can lead the way in making the case for securing global talent, but it must act now to adjust hiring plans and engage in policy dialogue.