YORK’S creative and digital industry could benefit from new measures to support the sector announced in the Budget.

Chancellor George Osborne said the Government would go to consultation on providing further support for the creative industries, in particular visual effects, high-end television and animation.

Stewart Sparke, of York film and animation business Glass Cannon, said the business of animation was growing tremendously because it saved filmmakers the time and cost of filming on site.

He said: “It’s absolutely massive. If you were to film something traditionally you have got all that time and money spent filming it and getting everyone in place. The time spent filming can all be done on a computer.”

He said he did not know how any changes may affect their business, but said it was good to see the Government recognising the sector.

“It’s an industry that’s under-appreciated, the amount of manpower that goes into it if you have a film of 12 frames a second and it is all hand-drawn. The fact that it’s recognised at least is a good thing.”

Adrian Widdowson, of Garbutt & Elliott, said: “We do have a large creative and digital-media sector in York and it’s one of the fastest-growing sectors. There should be plenty of interest in these changes.” He said the support would probably take the form of tax benefits or a scheme involving investment in their business or for certain classes of expenditure.

He said York’s science business should also note the launch of a £15 million funding competition from the Technology Strategy Board, which is inviting bids from collaborations of industry and education in developing new technologies.

The Skills Investment Fund will also be increased to £8 million each year over the next two years, with Government match-funding voluntary industry contributions to support skills development in the UK digital-content sectors.