UK games industry

TIGA, the trade association representing the UK games industry, today called on the Government to ensure that its immigration policy does not hinder UK games companies employing skilled migrants. TIGA made these comments in response to the publication of the Migration Advisory Committee’s report on how to limit migration.

Dr. Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO, commented:

“TIGA remains concerned that the Government’s migration plans will have a negative impact on the UK games industry. We strongly oppose the proposed permanent limits on highly skilled migrants and especially highly skilled workers with a job offer. “The Government needs to ensure that its imminent announcement on immigration policy does not hinder Britain’s economic growth by restricting the migration of skilled workers. Arbitrary limits on migration could stop development studios from completing projects on time, halt expansion plans and damage their ability to win new contracts.”

“TIGA is pleased that the Government has accepted that intra-company transfers should be excluded from the cap. This is a step in the right direction which will help the video games industry, but we urge the Government to go further and allow games businesses to recruit freely from the Tier 2 (highly skilled workers with a job offer) migration route as well.”

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Notes to editors:

About TIGA:

TIGA is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. The majority of our members are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have games publishers, outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership. TIGA was awarded ‘Trade Association of the Year’ and the ‘Member Recruitment Award’ at the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2010. TIGA has also been named as a finalist in the 2010 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) National Management and Leadership Awards in the category of ‘The Outstanding Organisation of the Year Award (SME)’.

TIGA's vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business.  We focus on three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members.  This means that TIGA members are effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.

For further information, please contact Eva Field, TIGA PR Manager on: 07814 039 983, or email eva@tiga.org.