Michael Moore backs Dundee City of Culture bid

Scottish Secretary Michael Moore. Picture: Greg Macvean

Mr Moore was given a tour of YoYo Games’ new Dundee’s Waterfront office and also took part in a roundtable discussion with games industry representatives focusing on access to finance and skills.

Mr Moore said: “The United Kingdom is world-renowned for the talent, creativity and innovation of its video games sector. Through Abertay University and companies such as Guerrilla Tea, TAG and YoYo, Dundee is at the foundation of our success.

“This is however a highly competitive and dynamic global industry. That is why the UK Government is committed to introducing video games tax relief and by using our strong voice in Europe we want to ensure this happens as quickly as possible.

“Together with the £16 million of new funding announced in this year’s Budget to support skills initiatives in the creative industries, we are working hard to give Dundee’s video games sector every edge it needs to stay ahead of the competition.”

City of Culture bid

The Scottish Secretary also met with Dundee’s UK City of Culture 2017 bid team at the Dundee Contemporary Arts centre. Dundee, alongside Hull, Leicester and Swansea Bay, must submit a final bid by the end of September. An independent advisory panel will meet in November to decide the winner.

Mr Moore added: ”I was pleased to meet with the Dundee City of Culture bid team and hear more about their bid. This competition and the extremely high quality of the applications highlights the fantastic variety of culture that thrives in all parts of the UK.

“Becoming UK City of Culture 2017 would be a massive boost and a great honour for Dundee. With a substantial waterfront transformation project already underway this award would have the potential to act at as catalyst to encourage further development and economic growth.”

Mr Moore’s day of engagements was rounded off by a visit to Abertay University to take part in a roundtable discussion as well as a meeting with Work Programme providers Ingeus and a speech on the Scotland Analysis programme to Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce.