UKIE Reacts to the UK Government's Creative Industries Sector Plan and Its Impact on the Games Industry

UKIE's communications manager, Logie MacDonald, has expressed his delight at the UK government's Creative Industries Sector Plan, stating that it represents a significant shift in the government's attitude towards the games industry. The plan allocates a £30 million 'Games Growth Package' to be spread over three years, with a portion of the funds going to the UK Games Fund and Games London. This move is seen as a major boost to the industry, particularly for small companies and startups. MacDonald notes that the plan indicates a change in tone from the government, with video games now being given equal prominence alongside other creative industries. The plan also addresses the issue of skills shortages in the sector, with the formation of a strategy developed by the sector-convened UK Games Skills Network. Additionally, the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology's TechFirst programme aims to help 7.5 million UK workers gain essential AI skills by 2030. The establishment of the UK Video Games Council, comprising around 15 to 20 industry leaders, is also a significant development, as it will serve as the government's primary point of contact for discussing issues related to the games sector. While the plan has been broadly welcomed by UKIE, there are still areas that require improvement, such as the tax relief rate for the UK games sector, which remains unchanged. UKIE had proposed an increased tax relief rate, which it believes would generate significant returns on investment and help attract more game development projects to the UK.