Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether he has had discussions with Pan European Game Information on its pricing structure and effect on the UK video games industry.

Whilst we have not had any recent discussions about pricing structure, PEGI – via the UK Games Rating Authority - formally notified my Department recently that the general fees for obtaining a PEGI classification are being increased by 5% from 1 July 2014, the first increase for 5 years.

In 2012 my Department brought into force a statutory requirement for PEGI classifications for hard copy video games that are unsuitable for younger children. A full business impact assessment was produced for this policy in discussion with industry and with PEGI. My department will continue to monitor the impact of the statutory classification requirements for video games sold in the UK and we are committed to a formal review of the policy in 2015.