What does a hung Parliament mean for the Games Industry?
UPDATE: Ukie welcome the formation of a minority government led by the Conservative Party. It is essential that the government now focusses on delivering the right deal in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations and we look forward to working with them to achieve this.
What a night!
Apprenticeship Levy: What you need to know
This week, following an employer consultation Ukie responded to, the Department for Education has published the details of the funding rates and rules that will apply to the apprenticeship levy, which comes into force in April 2017.
The levy is designed to create and fund new apprenticeships as part of the Government’s ongoing drive to upskill millions across the UK to ensure that they can build successful and lasting careers in a changing digital world.
What the Queen's Speech means for the games industry
Universal access to superfast broadband was the headline proposal in the Queen's Speech today - the ceremony by which the government announces its legislative agenda for the next 12 months.
Government asks how to increase innovation
Announcing a renewed push to remove barriers to innovation and employment, Business Secretary Sajid Javid today revealed two new consultations:
- A public survey asking for views on what the government should include in its new Innovation Plan; and
- An upcoming call for evidence on whether "non-compete clauses" in employment contracts are stifling entrepreneurship
Making the announcement, the Business Secretary said:
What the Spending Review 2015 means for games - reforms to exports, apprenticeships, public funding and broadband
What the Spending Review 2015 means for games - reforms to exports, apprenticeships, public funding, broadband
Chancellor George Osborne published the Comprehensive Spending Review today, setting out the government's spending plans for the next three years. As expected, the Chancellor outlined substantial reductions in public sector spending but alongside those several announcements were made which are important for the games industry:
UK games industry take over Westminster
On Tuesday 3 November, Ukie are hosting the first ever Westminster Games Industry Day in Parliament, in partnership with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Video Games, Ubisoft, Activision Blizzard, Google, EA and King. It is the first day of its kind, and will see games industry leaders enter the palace of Westminster to meet, educate and lobby MPs and Peers towards the needs of the UK games industry.
Develop speech: Minister backs games industry progress
Ed Vaizey backs games industry progress
Five years after first speaking to the conference, Minister for Culture and the Digital Economy Ed Vaizey gave a warmly-received keynote address at Develop:Brighton today.
Hailing these "incredibly exciting times" for the UK games industry, after the introduction of Video Games Tax Relief and the reintroduction of computing into the curriculum, the Minister particularly welcomed Ukie's contribution to this ongoing work.
Ukie calls for investment in talent development and exports for games clusters across country
8th July Budget: Ukie calls for talent hub in each regional games cluster and support for exports across country
In advance of the post-election Budget on 8th July video games trade body Ukie is calling on the Government to recognise and support major games clusters across the United Kingdom.
What the Queen’s Speech means for the games industry
New government's programme announced
Action on red tape, immigration, childcare and personal taxation has been announced today in the Queen’s Speech.
The speech, which marked the formal opening of the new Parliament and sets out the new Conservative government’s agenda for the next year, included some fundamental reforms that will affect all UK businesses, including those in the games industry.
