Help shape techUK’s digital devolution work

10 Feb 2020 11:10 AM

techUK is resurrecting its Digital Devolution Working Group to help inform our new report ahead of the next metro mayor elections.

With the next wave of metro mayor elections happening this May, techUK is putting together a digital devolution working group alongside an external stakeholder advisory group to help inform our output in this area. Back in 2017, techUK produced 'Digital Devolution: A Guide for Mayors', which set out a series of questions for the new Mayor to ask their team in their first 100 days to help them engender change, build capacity across the eco-system of the place. Working with the Digital Devolution Working Group, we are now looking to produce a practical document for the metro mayor candidates that will act as a blueprint on delivering a successful integrated digital strategy for their region and help position digital for regional growth. 

The UK is a world-leading digital economy, with the sector outperforming many others parts of the economy. The digital sector employs over 1.4 million people and is helping to solve some of the biggest challenges  our regions and communities face from preventing homeliness to tackling air pollution. However, jobs and digital opportunities are still heavily concentrated in London. In London, there are 370,000 people employed in digital sectors, 8% of all employment. This is compared to West Midlands and Scotland, where only 3% of employment is in digital industries. To continue to be a world leading digital economy we must create the right conditions for the digital sectors to continue to thrive across the UK and ensure the benefits are spread throughout the country. The mayor’s and the newly elected metro mayors can help re-balance the economy by putting digital at the forefront of their strategy and vision.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of techUK’s Digital Devolution Working Group is to provide techUK with advice on the development of the Digital Devolution report and help to ensure techUK are engaging in the areas important to the city regions and local public services. The group will inform techUK work and thinking on:

techUK’s Digital Devolution Working Group is open to all interested members of techUK.

We are looking to hold the first virtual meeting on 27 February, from 15:30 – 16:30. If you would like to be part of the Working Group or require further details please contact Georgina.Maratheftis@techuk.org