Watson tables Early Day Motion for games tax relief

Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, has chaired an Early Day Motion for tax relief for the UK videogame sector.

Watson is an advocate of the UK's games community, previously setting up Facebook group Gamers' Voice, which now has almost 17,000 members.

"I've managed to get MPs from Labour, the Lib Dems, the Tories and the SNP to support a motion calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to introduce tax relief for the video games industry," wrote Watson this morning, asking Gamers' Voice members to write to their MP urging them to support EDM 934.

The full text of the EDM reads: "That this House congratulates the UK video games industry on its contribution to the country's economy; notes that the video games industry contributes over £1 billion annually to the UK's gross domestic product, generates £400 million for the Exchequer in tax revenues and supports 28,000 jobs; recognises the threat to the UK games industry that comes from its main competitors including the USA, Canada and South Korea who all offer major tax breaks at either national state or regional level for game production or other substantial government financial support; welcomes the research of TIGA the trade association representing the UK games industry, into games tax relief, which shows that a tax break would create or save 3,550 graduate level jobs or the vocational equivalent, and increase and protect £415 million in new and saved tax receipts over five years; and calls on the Government to implement a tax break for game production in this year's Budget."

A recent interview with Watson by GamesIndustry.biz can be read here and here.