Game-Friendly Vaizey Becomes UK Culture Minister

UK Conservative MP Ed Vaizey, a public supporter of tax breaks for the region's game developers, has been elected as Culture Minister. Vaizey has always represented himself as industry-friendly in general, and the UK's Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers' Association calls him "one of the few politicians to have shown a comprehensive understanding of the video games industry and the challenges we face." "Over the last two years Ed Vaizey has proven himself to be one of the few politicians with a true grasp as to the importance of the video games industry and its cultural impact," says ELSPA director general Michael Rawlinson. Rawlinson says ELSPA has had several meetings with Vaizey to inform him of the industry's needs and challenges, and feels confident the new Minister is up to speed. "We therefore welcome the opportunity of working with him and his team in addressing these issues and in turn supporting both the video games industry and [UK commerce]," says Rawlinson. In addition to pledging to support tax breaks, in the first budget if elected, Vaizey has in the past also spoken out in support of games for applications other than leisure, like educating and motivating young people.