An increasing number of people in the UK now consider digital policies when deciding on their vote, reinforcing the need for all parties to shore up confidence with a prudent response that recognises the positive impact digital investment has on growth.
There’s no doubt that positive moves have been made, but we must also acknowledge that the government could do more about the country’s digital strategy. In the run up to the election this year, the major political parties must ensure that their digital policies are robust and have the full potential to be realised. Paying lip-service to digital will not stand up against the public vote.
So of those announced so far, what digital policies should businesses take note of?
In December’s Autumn Statement the government committed to the creation of a “Northern Powerhouse” with a £7 billion infrastructure investment in the North. This includes a £40 million extension to the SME broadband Voucher Scheme and will provide a much-needed boost to businesses and communities in the areas where the investment is planned. In addition, Nick Clegg’s announcement of the launch of TechNorth, a scheme to co-ordinate digital expertise in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and Newcastle to create a technology hub that rivals London’s Tech City, will promote innovation and create opportunities for young people in the region.
I take heart from these proposals not only because they have the potential to unlock new opportunities, but also because they include the vital digital element that should underpin public investment. Digital infrastructure is now a key part of the economy and plans to create a Northern cousin to rival East London’s Tech City should be welcomed wholeheartedly given the success of London’s technology cluster.
Both major political parties have also outlined strategies to develop the UK’s ability to deliver digital public services – and this is extremely encouraging. While Osborne pledged to build on the success of the Coalition’s Digital by Default strategy by increasing uptake of digital public services by 10 per cent, Labour’s Making Digital Government Work for Everyone report called for a 25 per cent reduction in the number of people without access to the internet. Having supported digital transformation within businesses across the country throughout my career, it is heartening to see that the gap between digital investment among public and private sectors is being addressed.
Moving away from party policies, improving digital connectivity has been recognised by the London Enterprise Panel as one way of ensuring London remains a centre for business and technology innovation – a growth driver for the city and the UK as a whole. 4G holds the key to connectivity improvements with the ability to unlock the services that will propel Britain forward. As 98 per cent of the UK population is due to gain access to 4G technology by 2017, the infrastructure that underpins digital growth is already rapidly taking shape.
There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that digital has a huge role to play in driving the UK forward, whether you’re a private business or a public institution – the Boston Consulting Group recently forecast that the digital sector will contribute £225 billion to the economy by 2016. With both main political parties already offering promising digital policies for the next parliament, I am confident that the next four years will allow this impressive projection to be realised.
