Brexit salary threshold could hit delete on video game sector
The video games industry in the UK could be negatively affected by post-brexit immigration policy, it has been suggested.
Westminster’s digital, culture, media and sport committee travelled to Dundee – a world-leading city for games development – to evaluate what more the UK government can do to support the industry.
Concerns were raised that a proposal to introduce a £30,000-salary threshold for workers from outside the UK could make it more difficult to recruit and retain staff.
Earthbound Games commercial director Colin Anderson told MPS while the video games industry in the UK had been incredibly successful, it was not something it “inherently deserves” and is coveted by many other countries around the world.
He said having access to the widest talent pool available would be the preferred option for video game companies.
Mr Anderson said: “I’ve certainly had problems in the past with staff who were on lower salaries, but performing what are integral parts of the operation. Generally it’s the people who are in the operational parts, so it’s the people who are running the office, it’s people who are running the infrastructure around game development. Those salaries can be below those thresholds that have been set and that can certainly cause issues.”
Timea Tabori, from Women in Games in Scotland and engine programmer at Edinburgh-based Rockstar North, said the requirement could put stress on newer firms.