IT industry association techUK has called for the creation of a UK-wide CivTech programme and regional offices for tech and innovation to support the public sector in using digital and data to respond to its challenges.
These are among the recommendations in the newly published fourth edition of its Local Digital Index, highlighting the development of the sector in different parts of the country.
It also calls for the localisation of digital inclusion strategies.
The CivTech initiative would follow the lead of a programme that is already well established in Scotland – providing a call for solutions to specific challenges – and which techUK says could be extended throughout the UK with funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) or delegated to regional combined authorities.
“There are few, if any, accelerators like it anyway where in the world,” the Local Digital Index says. “However, as with other historic ideas, inventions and innovations from Scotland, the ambition of a good idea shouldn’t be limited to Scotland alone.
“CivTech could be brought to other parts of the UK to help address public sector challenges and provide businesses – particularly small businesses - with a route to roll out solutions across the country, share learning, and participate in procurement to grow the sector.”
Support for councils
The creation of offices for tech and innovation would support local authorities in using data and technology to improve service delivery by working with industry as devolved bodies, the document says.
It points to the example of the London Office for Tech and Innovation (LOTI), saying there is scope for similar bodies in other regions.
“In England this could align with geographies in the North, Midlands and South,” it says.
“By sharing best practice, rolling out what works, trialling new ideas and supporting councils in their digital transformation journeys, these bodies will be able to convene and deliver more than local authorities working alone or siloed.”
This would be accompanied by devolving digital inclusion to the UK’s nations and regions, with additional funding and DSIT working with the tech sector to further investigate how inclusion is helping to grow the digital economy and save money for public services.
Other recommendations are to: build collaboration through testbeds and trials programmes; set up a Digital and Technologies Sector Council; extend tax relief for regional start-ups; host an annual digital and technology summit for the nations and regions; provide broader digital support for rural and coastal communities; and establish regional offices for tech and innovation.
At heart of prosperity
Matthew Evans, director for markets and chief operating officer at techUK, said: “The digital economy is at the heart of the UK’s future prosperity, but its benefits must reach everyone. If the UK tech sector is to achieve its full potential, we must move beyond regional imbalances and build an ecosystem that prioritises investment, skills, and infrastructure development to allow every part of the UK to flourish.”
The Index brings together data and insights on elements of the digital tech sector, focused on geographic trends defined by local and regional authority boundaries and growth deals in the devolved nations.
Its findings include that the sector currently contributes £99 billion to the UK economy each year, employs around 1.7 million people and is growing at a rate of 9.3% per annum.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham welcomed the publication.
“The Index is a vital tool for highlighting regional and city strengths to see who is leading the way and where there are opportunities to learn and collaborate,” he said.
“In the 21st century to be competitive we actually need to be highly collaborative. To look beyond our regional boundaries to a shared national ambition to grow our economy in a way that benefits everyone.”
