The IWGB Game Workers union criticizes its omission from the UK Video Games Council

The Game Workers branch of the Independent Workers of Great Britain (IWGB) union has expressed dissatisfaction with being left out of the newly established UK Video Games Council. They addressed their concerns in an open letter to Labour MPs.

Released on July 31, the open letter was directed at Labour MPs Sir Chris Bryant, who serves as the minister for creative industries, arts, and tourism, and Charlotte Nichols, who chairs the APPG for video games and esports. It criticized the omission of the union and other charitable organizations from the council, highlighting issues such as widespread layoffs, lack of oversight, and unchecked AI outsourcing.

Established in July 2025, the UK Video Games Council aims to collaborate with the government to enhance the UK's video games and interactive entertainment industry by fostering growth, innovation, and international expansion.

The initial council members include dual chairs Jason Kingsley of Rebellion Games and Nick Button-Brown of Outright Games, alongside UKIE CEO Nick Poole, JECO co-founder Emily Bailey, and TIGA CEO Dr. Richard Wilson.

The IWGB Game Workers expressed their "disappointment" with the fact that 13 of the council's 14 members are associated with firms headquartered in London and the South of England, saying this setup does not adequately represent game workers nationwide.

The letter further states, "No trade unions, worker representatives, or grassroots initiatives are part of the council's formation," criticizing the government's previous commitments. Referencing the social care sector where union consultation was part of Fair Pay Agreements, the letter highlights the Prime Minister's call for "partnership with workers" to support industrial rebuilding.

The letter also faults the council's inclusion of representatives from companies investing in automated software and AI, claiming these technologies might displace genuine creativity with algorithmic mediocrity and worsen the crisis of technological job displacement.

The IWGB Game Workers have proposed four steps for the Video Game Council: improving regional representation, including relevant UK charities, appointing a member nominated by IWGB, and publicly responding to the union's concerns.

IWGB Game Workers chair, Spring McparlinJones, stated in a press release, "We are profoundly disappointed by the Labour government's decision to consult such a limited segment of our industry. To address the high turnover rate, it is crucial to listen to workers' voices, a perspective currently missing from this council. We believe we could provide that perspective."