techUK sets out a radical agenda for digital change
Powerful new UK leadership roles in government, EU and beyond
techUK calls for the appointment of dedicated Digital Ministers in every department, a new Chief Privacy Officer, a new FCO Digital Trade Tsar and a leading voice in Europe. The next government should set a clear objective to double UK tech exports by 2020, bringing billions of extra value to the UK economy and supporting integrated trade such as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) for the tech sector.
A comprehensive package of science, innovation and talent
One in seven start-ups in the UK was founded by a migrant. techUK calls for a ‘smart migration’ policy that allows high growth companies to tap in to the world’s best talent, alongside measures to strengthen the pipeline of home grown skills. techUK also calls for ten-year innovation budgets that extend beyond parliamentary cycles as a platform for long term growth.
“Digital-trust-by-default” across the public and private sector
techUK calls for the UK to be a world-leading domain in data protection, with a commitment to free speech on the web and a clear legal framework for government surveillance. There is also a need to strengthen public confidence in the use of data, with 18% of individuals reporting ‘loss of privacy’ as a drawback of innovation.
Deliver on “digital for everyone”
The next government must also ensure that the whole of the UK benefits, ensuring jobs and growth beyond the South East of England and doubling the digital participation of SMEs across all industries. techUK calls for government to commit to properly fund a digital inclusion programme to ensure that everyone has basic online skills by 2020, and that no one is left behind by digital innovation.
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