Tag Archives: gaming

Scottish Lib Dems support gaming industry

The gaming industry contributes £188.4 million annually to Scotland’s economy and provides 2181 full time jobs but it’s been facing some challenges in recent years, not least from funding streams drying up thanks to Brexit. A motion introduced by our candidate and, we hope, future MSP for Inverness and Nairn, Neil Alexander.  Neil knows what he is talking about as he worked in the industry for 8 years. By the way, Neil’s social media output is the best in the business. Follow him on Instagram here.

The motion calls for:

  • Establish regional “hubs” across all areas of Scotland for both digital media and video games industry, providing low-cost office space for both sectors, rather than the rent-a-desk options currently available.
  • Create a Games Innovation Centre to act as a central hub for research, development and expertise sharing, supporting new start-ups with vital business skills.
  • Launch a new pilot fund to support targeted sector growth for newer start-up studios.
  • Condition access to any public funding or support body on games companies adhering to fair work practices, such as Fair Work First, to ensure the fair treatment of all employees within the industry across Scotland.
  • Develop a new educational strategy which actively engages industry-leading experts and supports the next generation of high-quality university courses, putting practical experience, such as guaranteed industry placements.
  • Explore business rates exemptions for digital media and video games start-ups for the period of a first product release window while these companies establish a steady revenue stream.

Here’s Neil’s speech proposing the motion:

Posted in News | Also tagged , , and | Leave a comment
Advert

Recent Comments

  • Peter Martin
    @ Paul, I accept you are agreeing to an extent. A limited extent. "There are ample legal mechanisms for ensuring that the financial settlement with t...
  • Paul WalterPaul Walter
    Peter: “We shouldn’t tolerate the term “Crown Dependency” being a synonym for “tax haven”.” I don’t know whether you are actually reading my ...
  • David Raw
    I rather thought the 3rd Duke and Duchess of Atholl sold the Isle of Man's feudal and sovereign rights in 1765 for £70,000 via the Isle of Man Purchase Act 176...
  • Roland
    @Peter Martin - I was responding to the curved ? ball Jeff throw out about Motability: If they can't charge VAT then its okay to reclaim the VAT rather than sim...
  • Peter Martin
    @ Simon, "Low earners on the IOM pay tax at 21% compared to – I think – 20% in the UK" I don't know where you get your IOM figure from. It is easy eno...