Are we doing enough to secure Britain’s digital future?

The UK’s digital economy represents nearly one third of the UK economy, and if nurtured properly, it could transform government, society and culture. But are we doing enough to secure Britain’s digital future – and if not, what more can be done? This was the topic discussed by politicians and financial and technology experts at a recent Spectator dinner, hosted by Mastercard.

One of the main topics of conversation was around British start-ups and the investment opportunities available in the UK. Jeremy Silver, CEO of the Digital Catapult, has built and sold two technology businesses in the past fifteen years – selling both of them to American tech companies. That’s not through choice, however. ‘I’d much rather have sold them to British companies’, he said, ‘but I couldn’t find one who would buy them.’ Is this a problem that needs addressing? Iain Wright MP, chairman of the business, energy and industrial strategy select committee, agreed with Fraser Nelson’s suggestion that Britain has a bit of an innovation problem.