03 Apr
Question
Video Game Industry

The Parliamentary Question session focused on assessing the Government's initiatives aimed at supporting the video game industry, a significant economic sector in the UK. Labour MP Charlotte Nichols opened the session by inquiring about the Department's evaluation of these initiatives in sustaining the industry's long-term growth.

73,000 jobs

supported by the UK video games industry

Lisa Nandy, in her responses, emphasized the importance of the video games sector in contributing to the UK's economic prowess. She reassured the House of Commons about the ongoing support and future strategic plans for the industry, hinting at an impending creative industries sector plan. Nichols highlighted the industry's vital role in Warrington, referencing local companies like 10:10 and Mindware, as well as its broader economic impact with statistics underlining a contribution to UK GVA exceeding that of both the film and the music industries.

A contribution larger than the film and music industries combined

UK GVA contributed by the video games industry

Nandy confirmed the Government's commitment by earmarking £5.5 million for the UK games fund for the upcoming year. Despite the challenges posed by international competition and policy shifts, this reaffirms a solid framework to bolster the video game sector's global competitiveness. The dialogue underscored the role of the video games expenditure credit in stimulating sectoral growth, and recognized the cultural enjoyment derived from this creative industry.

£5.5 million allocated

to the UK games fund for the next financial year

Outcome

The session's dialogue highlighted the Government's commitment to strengthening the video game industry amidst international competition. New commitments were outlined, including the allocation of £5.5 million to the UK games fund and a creative industries sector plan targeting sustainable industry growth.

Key Contributions

Charlotte Nichols
Labour

Questioned the effectiveness and sustainability of Government support for the video game industry.

Lisa Nandy

Acknowledged the importance of the video game sector to the UK economy.

Original Transcript
Charlotte Nichols
Warrington North
Lab
Question
UIN: 903606

12. What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Government initiatives in supporting the long-term growth of the video game industry.

Charlotte Nichols

The Secretary of State will know that we also produce a fifth of the world’s gin in Warrington.

The UK video games industry is a huge success story, supporting 73,000 jobs, including in Warrington at companies like 10:10, Mindware, Freesphere Entertainment and Second Impact Games, and contributing more to UK GVA than the film and music industries combined.

To strengthen UK gaming’s global competitiveness, particularly in the context of the announcements from the US last night, what consideration has the Secretary of State given to enhancing the video games expenditure credit?

Lisa Nandy

The video games expenditure credit has been incredibly important for us, and we were pleased to announce £5.5 million for the UK games fund next year.

As somebody who has probably put in more hours on “Animal Crossing” than any other Member of the House, I am aware of the joy that video games bring to many people in this country.

The Prime Minister is working to support industries that have been affected by recent announcements from the United States, but we are ensuring the video games are at the heart of that, including by putting them at the heart of a new creative industries sector plan, which will be published in the coming months.

All content derived from official parliamentary records