Justin Tomlinson MP, the former Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Video Games and PPS to Creative Media Minister, Ed Vaizey MP, has welcomed staff and executives from games developer Activision to Parliament to discuss the important contribution the industry makes to the economy and what steps the Government is taking to support the growth of games studios across the country.
Activision, which develops games such as Call of Duty and Skylanders, has its European Headquarters in London, is part of a growing number of studios across the country who help to support thousands of jobs in an industry worth around £2bn to the nation’s economy. Justin has long-campaigned for greater support for the sector to develop the programmers, artists and engineers of the future and during his time as Chair of the All Party Group, he supported successful calls for a new tax break to support smaller, developing studios.
Justin, who is a self-confessed “video games geek”, talked to the group about the investment made by the Treasury and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in tax breaks for games developers, increased apprenticeship funding and the recent announcement of funding for a new digital skills academy.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “The video games industry is worth around £2bn to the UK economy and supports thousands of jobs across the country. I was delighted to meet with representatives from Activision, one of the largest developers in the world, to discuss what more can be done to help support this thriving industry”.
