Games Industry - Tax Break

During the Budget today the Chancellor, George Osborne, has re-adopted policies which Labour instigated to help the Computer Games Industry. In his 2010 Budget the Tory Chancellor said, 'We will not go ahead with the poorly-targeted tax relief for the video games industry', surprisingly today, George Osborne has re-instated this tax relief.

I campaigned for the City Council to make its views clear over the loss of this tax relief. I am glad that we made our views known to the Scottish Affairs Select Committee. My colleague Jim McGovern as a member of the Scottish Affairs Select Committee did a great job in ensuring that the needs of the games industry were always at the forefront. The Scottish Affairs Select Committee report has helped to make the case clearly in favour of a tax break for the video games industry.

Like my colleague Jim McGovern MP I welcome this u-turn by the Tory-led UK Government. The Tory-led Government jeopardised the future of this industry in Dundee by their previous actions, I welcome their change of heart. There is an old saying that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent. Let's hope that the Tories have learned their lesson and that in the future they will act in a way that helps Dundee industry rather than hinders it. Labour in Dundee will be keeping a close eye on their actions and will put the interests of Dundee first. I hope that the Video Games Industry in Dundee now goes from strength to strength.