…worth hundreds of millions of pounds to our economy and supports highly skilled jobs across the country. Here in Edinburgh North and Leith, we are fortunate to have a growing creative and technology sector on our doorstep.

But our connection to Scotland’s games industry goes far beyond the studios based here. Some of my amazing constituents work for some of the biggest names in the industry, putting their creativity, technical skills and expertise to work on games enjoyed by players around the world.

That is why supporting games industry workers has been an important part of my work as the MP for Edinburgh North and Leith. Over the last two years, I have been campaigning alongside workers at two separate games companies, standing up for employees facing issues ranging from concerns around job security to the fight for employment rights.

At Rockstar Games in Edinburgh, I have been working alongside workers in their campaign for union recognition. While Rockstar is not based in Edinburgh North and Leith, many highly skilled people from my constituency employed there and in the wider games industry, and the issues facing workers in these studios matter to our local community.

The games industry is built on talent, creativity and dedication. Behind every game are artists, programmers, designers, writers, producers and many other highly skilled workers. They deserve to have their voices heard in decisions that affect their jobs, their working conditions and their futures.

Before being elected to Parliament, I spent over two decades working in the trade union movement; my most recent role was as a Regional Secretary for Usdaw, so I know first-hand the difference a strong, independent trade union can make in giving workers a voice and standing up for their rights at work.

That experience is one of the reasons I am so passionate about ensuring workers in Scotland’s growing games industry have the same opportunity to organise and be heard. A thriving games industry needs talented people, and treating workers fairly is essential if Scotland is going to continue attracting and retaining that talent.

I have also been working with former staff from Build A Rocket Boy, whose headquarters are in Leith, supporting their calls for greater stability and fairness during a staff dismissal.

When a games company faces difficulties or changes direction, it is important to remember that behind every announcement are real people whose livelihoods and futures are affected. These are workers who have spent years developing specialist skills and building careers in one of Scotland’s most exciting creative industries.

I was proud to stand in solidarity with workers at their recent picket in Leith, supporting their campaign for fairness, stability and a stronger voice at work. I will continue to stand alongside them and support their calls for a fair deal.

Their experiences have reinforced for me why we need to make sure economic growth works for working people too. We have a highly skilled workforce, with constituents working across technology, creative industries and some of the world’s biggest gaming companies. We should be proud of that talent and ambitious about what it can deliver for our local economy. But if we want Scotland’s games industry to continue to thrive, we must ensure it is an industry where people can build secure, long-term careers, where workers have a strong voice, and where success is shared with the people who make it possible.

That is why I was so proud of the Labour Government’s work to strengthen workers’ rights and deliver a New Deal for Working People. Stronger employment rights can give people greater security while helping create workplaces where employers and employees can work together to build successful businesses.

For me, supporting the games industry means supporting both the businesses that create jobs and investment, and the workers whose talent makes those businesses successful, ensuring that the benefits and rewards of a thriving industry are shared with its workforce.

I will continue to stand alongside games industry workers, including constituents here in Edinburgh North and Leith, and make sure their voices are heard.

Scotland has world-class talent and an exciting future in the games industry. We must make sure the people behind that success are able to share in it.