Gordon Brown praises UK games industry

Prime Minister Gordon Brown today praised the UK computer games industry and also pledged to support it with "new commitments of investment".

Speaking in a podcast ahead of this week's Global Investment Conference, Brown mentioned the games sector as an example of Britain's cutting-edge industries.

"We're leading the way in the creative industries: by far and away the biggest producer of computer games in Europe," said Brown.

"And we're leading the way in digital communications: in a country with only 1% of the world's population, more than a third of all internet traffic is routed through UK servers.

"This coming week is another chance to showcase the UK. This is not just a talking shop, though. There will be new commitments of investment off the back of this conference."

In response, UK gaming trade body TIGA welcomed Brown's comments but also urged him to back the long-called for cultural tax break to help the £1bn industry compete in the global market.

"We warmly welcome prime minster Gordon Brown’s comments and urge him to act quickly to introduce a Games Tax Relief as outlined by TIGA for the UK games development industry in the coming Budget," said TIGA chief executive Richard Wilson.

"We hope that the support of the prime minister will ensure a commitment by the government to the introduction of Games Tax Relief and so guarantee that the UK video games industry remains world leading."