apprenticeships

Chancellor Philip Hammond announced the Budget today, There was a big focus on tech and innovation but the biggest cheer of the afternoon was support to tackle the housing crisis.

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. 

Parliamentary Business Committee reflects games industry views 

The influential Business, Innovation and Skills Committee today published a report on the digital economy, highlighting interventions by Ukie CEO Dr Jo Twist OBE from evidence she gave on behalf of the games industry in March this year.

Brexit

Chancellor George Osborne announced the Budget today, setting out the government's tax and spending plans for the next year and beyond.

The Budget introduces a number of general measures which will have the effect of boosting small- and micro- studios and developers.  As our Blueprint for Growth noted, some 95% of games companies are SMEs. The most eye-catching proposals are cuts to business rates and stamp duty for lower-value properties, as well as some targeted support for the digital economy.

Responding to the announcements, Ukie CEO Dr Jo Twist said:

Government's Productivity Plan scrutinised by Parliament

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: