Member Article

Technology firms call for UK digital ministers in every department

A group of over 850 technology firms is calling on the UK government to appoint digital ministers in every department.

Tech and digital lobby group techUK has also also set out a “roadmap” to allow more skilled technology workers into the country.

The proposals will be presented to ministers today in the techUK manifesto for growth and jobs 2015-2020. It aims to “secure the UK’s digital future as a global leader.”

As part of its manifesto for the next government, TechUK has said it wants a Cabinet-level minister representing the interests of the digital economy.

The document reads:“The next government should ensure there is cabinet-level leadership to develop and execute a single digital strategy that rolls up the digital economy, digitalisation of government and digital inclusion.”

“Other systemically important policy domains have a clear departmental lead and a strong voice at the Cabinet table - it is time the full significance of digital is recognised in the same way.”

TechUK chief executive Julian David told the BBC current options for migrating digital works, such as a special Entrepreneurs’ Visa to help start-ups - was not going far enough.

“My members tell me it helps, but start-ups find it difficult to plot their way through the bureaucracy and the cost.”

“We’ve got fantastic capability in clusters around the country.

“When you look at places like Cambridge, there’s a pattern of success there for growing digitally-focused, very large, very successful companies such as [chip maker] Arm Holdings.”

Mr David praised the efforts of organisations like Tech City UK, the government quango helping technology start-ups in the Silicon Roundabout area of east London.

But he said the digital economy must be a concern for the whole country.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .