The Business Matrix: Saturday 22 March 2014

Gaming industry wins tax breaks

Britain’s video games industry looks to have won a battle for tax breaks. Brussels had opposed the relief, of up to 25 per cent, because of concerns that the games were not culturally equal to other sectors, such as film and TV.

Thomas Cook in referendum fears

Thomas Cook has added its voice to warnings from BP and Shell about the uncertainty caused by the referendum on Scottish independence. Harriet Green, its chief executive, also voiced fears over a possible UK poll on EU membership in 2017.

Barclays calls for bonus plan assent

Barclays has urged shareholders to back a proposal to allow it to pay up to 1,400 staff as much as twice their salary as bonus. Under new European rules, investors must approve banks paying staff bonuses that exceed their basic pay.

Direct Line boss takes home £2.4m

Paul Geddes, chief executive of Direct Line, was paid £2.4m last year as the insurer completed its first 12 months as a listed company. Shares in the group, spun out of Royal Bank of Scotland, are up about 41 per cent since it listed in October 2012.