Ukie responds to CMS Committee survey ahead of Ministerial evidence session

Submitted: 8th July 2025

This submission supported the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in formulating questions for the evidence session with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. It served as a platform for Ukie to directly raise topics with Government. In it, Ukie strongly welcomes the then recently published Creative Industries Sector Plan and positions it as a turning point for the UK video games industry, which is recognised for the first time as a strategic driver of growth, creativity and innovation. The response highlights the £30 million Games Growth Package delivered through an expanded UK Games Fund as a major win for studios seeking to scale, alongside the creation of a UK Video Games Council to provide sustained, structured engagement between Government and industry. Ukie also welcomes commitments on skills, finance and Createch, including support for a future industry led skills strategy, IP backed lending and continued investment in flagship events such as the London Games Festival.

However, Ukie argues that further action is needed to secure long term competitiveness, particularly through reform of the Video Games Expenditure Credit. The submission sets out the case for a games growth rate for smaller projects and enhanced relief for larger productions, supported by evidence showing strong returns on investment, increased GVA and job creation. Ukie also calls for clearer cross government coordination to address skills, visas, education and investment barriers, and asks Government to set out a clear timeline for reviewing and improving VGEC to ensure the UK remains a globally competitive home for video games development.