Leading figures in the UK's games industry have spoken out about the despicable lack of funding from British governments, past and present, for the UK games business. The British industry used to be the third largest in the world, but has recently fallen behind Canada into fourth.

Jane Cavanagh OBE, the Chief Executive of British publisher Eidos (who recently opened a studio in Montreal), told MCV the following: "Quebec offers a 37.5 per cent contribution towards development salaries, which is a huge incentive," said Cavanagh. "Over the years, people have tried lobby for this sort of funding in the UK - in line with the perks given to UK film studios - and the result has been pretty much nil. It seems that this industry is not being taken seriously: not only in terms of retaining talent, but for foreign companies to come in and create a pool of talent."

The British games industry employs around 22,000 people and receives no support whatsoever from the public purse, unlike other similar production industries such as film. The main governing body of the UK video games industry, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA), has backed-up Cavanagh's comments:

"Jane's comments reflect the very serious position the industry finds itself in. ELSPA has been engaging with the new Brown government on this issue via the DCMS and DEBRR," said ELSPA's Director General Paul Jackson. "Our impression is that government understand that there is a serious problem here and we have been invited back to discuss the issue further. However we are wary that historically government has never really given us the support we require when compared with other industries in our sector. It is therefore up to this new administration to reverse the failings of the past and fully support the games industry at this difficult time."