The effect of the abolition of tax breaks to Britain’s video games industry is set to be revealed today in Dundee.
A Scottish Affairs Select Committee report will be unveiled at Abertay University this morning, highlighting the importance of the sector to Scotland’s economy and how the scrapping of tax relief has impacted on jobs and revenue.
Compiled by cross-party MPs, the publication of the report is particularly important in Dundee with the video games industry thought to be key to hundreds of jobs.
Plans to introduce tax breaks for developers were dumped by the coalition government shortly after they took office in May, despite claims the move would create or safeguard 3550 jobs and £457 million in investment.
The report is also set to detail alternative sources of funding for the industry, which has been hit particularly hard in recent years.
It comes just days after Ed Vaizey, minister for communication, culture and the creative industries, visited Abertay, praising the university for its work in producing young programming talent stating, “This is what we need more of if we are to keep a place at the forefront of games development on the world stage.”
Mr Vaizey also failed to rule out introducing tax breaks in the future, allowing Britain’s game developers to compete more effectively with foreign rivals.
Asked on Thursday if the plans could be revived at some point, he said, “You can never say never as a politician.”