ELSPA Disappointed With No UK Industry Tax Breaks

Following the release of Chancellor Alistair Darling's 2008 budget, UK's Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association issued a statement expressing disappointment that tax breaks were not offered to UK game developers. ELSPA has previously declared support for statements made by the TIGA consortium and Jane Cavanagh, at the time CEO of Eidos, which expressed concern over UK game developers and talent being lured away by regions such as Canada, which offers tax breaks and incentives. At the end of 2007, the European Commission approved tax breaks for video game production in France, and the organizations had urged the adoption of similar measures in the UK. Said ELSPA director general Paul Jackson, "We are disappointed that the Chancellor missed the opportunity today to offer French-style tax breaks to UK developers. However, positive discussions continue with the Treasury and we are hopeful of persuading them of the economic argument to support our case in due course."