UKIE's Reaction to the Government's Creative Industries Sector Plan and Its Implications for the UK Gaming Industry

The UK games industry has received a significant boost with the publication of the UK government's Creative Industries Sector Plan, a development that has been welcomed by UKIE, the trade association representing the sector. According to Logie MacDonald, UKIE's communications manager, the plan signifies a notable shift in the government's stance towards the gaming industry, with video games now being placed on an equal footing with other creative industries. The plan's inclusion of a £30 million 'Games Growth Package' to be spread over three years is a key highlight, with a portion of the funds allocated to the UK Games Fund and Games London. This investment is expected to have a positive impact on the industry, particularly for small companies and start-ups. Furthermore, the plan addresses the issue of skills shortages in the sector by announcing the formation of a strategy developed by the sector-convened UK Games Skills Network. While the plan does not include an increase in tax relief rates for the gaming sector, UKIE remains committed to pushing for this in the future, citing research that suggests higher tax relief rates would generate significant returns on investment.