VGIM General Election Cheat Sheet: UK

This analysis examines the intersection of the 2024 UK General Election and the video games industry, evaluating how the primary political parties' platforms align with the sector's growth and operational needs. The central thesis suggests that while the games industry is rarely a focal point of national manifestos, the Labour Party’s current policy framework offers a more favorable environment for the sector than the Conservative Party’s platform, particularly regarding skills, immigration, and creative industry support.

The scope of the analysis is centered on the UK during the June 2024 election cycle, though it notes that British policy often influences global regulatory trends, such as loot box legislation and online safety codes. Findings are based on a qualitative review of party manifestos and polling data, which at the time of writing showed the Conservative Party trailing Labour by 12-20 points.

Key findings highlight a divergence in how the two major parties approach industry priorities. While the Conservatives historically introduced vital supports like the Video Games Tax Relief, their current platform includes restrictive immigration policies—such as raising the Skilled Worker visa salary threshold to £38,700—and rhetoric regarding "Mickey Mouse" degrees that may threaten the talent pipeline. In contrast, Labour’s proposal to establish Skills England and link training to immigration needs is viewed as a more pragmatic approach to addressing the industry's labor shortages.

The analysis concludes that the games industry contributes approximately £7 billion annually to the UK economy. Despite this economic weight, the sector remains a niche political issue. However, the inclusion of video games in both major manifestos for the first time since 2017 signals a maturing recognition of the industry’s importance. The summary also identifies key "video game constituencies" like Leamington Spa and Guildford, where the industry's workforce could significantly influence local electoral outcomes.