UK's TIGA Condemns Proposed Immigration Cap

UK video game trade body TIGA condemned a proposed immigration cap from the UK Coalition Government, as it could limit the recruitment of skilled game industry talent from outside UK borders. "This is a poorly targeted measure. TIGA strongly opposes the proposed interim limits and permanent limits on highly skilled migrants and especially highly skilled workers with a job offer," said TIGA CEO Richard Wilson in comments to conservative politician Rt. Hon. Theresa May. There is an ongoing debate over a proposed immigration cap in the UK. The policy aims to reduce net immigration into the country from around 200,000 in 2009 to "tens of thousands" by the end of Parliament. With the lack of desired tax breaks for game companies in the UK, there is already a fear that the country is becoming less attractive for the best video game talent. Wilson said TIGA research showed that 39 percent of UK developers suffered skill shortages last year. "Game development is a highly skilled business and technology changes rapidly in the games industry, with the consequence that the specialist skills needed by the industry may simply not exist in the UK," he said. "If skilled personnel are not available in the UK then games businesses must be free to recruit them from elsewhere," Wilson added. "These arbitrary limits could prevent development studios from completing projects on time, stymie expansion plans and limit the ability of studios to win new contracts." In the wake of the UK scrapped tax break debacle, Canadian Entertainment Software Association video game trade group has been open about luring British talent to Canadian development epicenters. TIGA chairman and CEO and creative director at UK studio Rebellion also expressed frustration at the proposal. "First the Coalition Government drops games tax relief, leaving our industry at a serious tax disadvantage vis-a-vis our overseas rivals, then it plans to prevent us from recruiting the best and brightest to work at UK studios." "If the Coalition Government is serious about supporting a thriving video games sector in the UK then it urgently needs to reconsider both of these policy positions."