HomeInsightsUkie responds to Government’s unveiling of its Industrial Strategy

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Responding to the Government’s announcement launching its Industrial Strategy (see item above), Ukie said that research and development investment is critical, and it is encouraging to see the announcement of £33 million for an “audiences of the future” fund to support immersive tech, from classrooms to entertainment.

Overall, Ukie welcomes the White Paper’s ambition and recognition that much of the UK’s future economic success will rely on a creative, data-driven digital economy, robust infrastructure, the investment in skills that is needed now, and innovation in areas such as immersive technologies and experience and artificial intelligence: areas in which, Ukie says, the games industry already leads the way.

Ukie says that, although it is easy to think that because “games” may not be mentioned specifically, the Strategy is not relevant to the industry, but “we must remember that our sector is recognised as a blueprint for creative innovation.”

Ukie says that it is also good to see an emphasis on the clusters of innovation and creativity that is already seen with games businesses across the country, providing opportunity, employment and exports. Ukie says that it is important to ensure that the UK’s exports and productivity across these clusters is measured in a more effective way and that local support strategies are effective and accessible.

The investment in maths, digital and technical skills is also a positive step, but Ukie says it is important to ensure that the UK is combining skills around arts, humanities, and critical thinking fit for a creative and data driven innovative economy. This is especially important when trying to understand the impact on people and society of an increasingly data and AI driven world.

Most importantly, Ukie says, the UK needs to continue to make sure the Government addresses important concerns raised by Brexit in making sure that games businesses, and all businesses, can still access the highly-skilled talent that the wider digital creative economy needs via a modern immigration system. To read Ukie’s press release in full, click here.