Tech Nation 2016: Transforming UK Industries

By

Emma J

Last Updated: 9, September 2024
Posted on .This entry was posted in Data & Stats, Events, Home, News & Topics, Press Releases, Programmes, Tech Nation and tagged .

TECH NATION 2016 REVEALS THAT DIGITAL TECH INDUSTRIES IN THE UK ARE GROWING 32% FASTER THAN THE REST OF THE ECONOMY

Today marks the launch of Tech Nation 2016 from Tech City UK, and innovation charity Nesta, supported by core data partner Growth Intel.

Tech Nation 2016 is the most comprehensive analysis of the UK’s Digital Tech Economy to date, showing how the Digital Tech Industries are driving economic growth, employment and regional development:

  • The UK’s Digital Tech Industries are growing 32% faster than the rest of the UK economy (in turnover)
  • The estimated turnover of UK digital tech industries reached £161bn in 2014
  • The Digital Tech Industries are creating employment opportunities and accounting for 1.56M jobs across the UK
  • The UK’s increasingly diverse range of digital skills and specialisms are also now thriving beyond the tech sector – 41% of Digital Tech Economy jobs exist in what are thought of as traditionally non-digital industries – such as the public sector and financial services
  • Over 80% of Tech Nation clusters have seen growth in digital turnover, jobs and advertised digital salaries

 

 

 

 

National-Cluster-Infographic-V10-01-(1)

The Tech Nation 2016 report is produced jointly with Nesta, who led on the data collection and analysis as well as initial drafting of the report. The report was also supported by core data partner GrowthIntel. Contributing data partners include AngelList, Burning Glass, Crunchbase, dealroom.co, Frontier Economics, Github, InvestNI, Leeds Data City, and Meetup.

 

With more than 2,000 respondents from digital businesses across the country also contributing insights, the latest iteration of Tech Nation showcases the continued growth and evolution of the UK’s digital tech economy.

 

 

 

 

Prime Minister David Cameron comments: “Britain’s world leading tech sector gives us a competitive edge that is not just transforming our daily lives but also our economy. Tech is transforming the way we do all kinds of business.

 

“Indeed, more than half of all digital jobs now aren’t in high-tech hubs of London or Leeds – they are in businesses of every description, in every sector. This Government will continue to back, with all levers at our disposal, the innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship that is redefining and strengthening the modern British economy.”

 

Ed Vaizey, Minister for the Digital Economy, comments, “Digital technology companies are redefining the UK’s business landscape whilst creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors and workers across the country. Tech Nation 2016 sets out how digital tech innovation is transforming the UK economy, creating high-quality employment opportunities and driving productivity nationwide. We are delighted to present these findings which show how Britain’s digital technology technology continues to influence the wider business economy.”

 

Eileen Burbidge, Tech City UK Chair and Partner at Passion Capital, comments: “The UK’s credentials as a home for digital excellence have been well established, and now Tech Nation 2016 provides a new level of insight into the impressive productivity of our digital economy – driving growth across all sectors and regions of the country.

 

“Tech Nation 2016 will help to inspire the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit required for the UK to continue its growth as a Tech Nation.”

 

EXPLORE TECH NATION
 

Gerard Grech, CEO of Tech City UK, comments: “Tech Nation 2016 provides an unprecedented insight into the growing economic importance of the UK’s digital businesses.

“This report not only demonstrates the extraordinary growth rate of our digital tech industry, but also its increasingly profound influence on established non-digital industries, such as retail and health.

 

“We hope Tech Nation’s findings will prove invaluable to industry, investors and digital businesses themselves, acting as a detailed topography of the UK’s digital economy and signposting where future opportunities lie.”

 

Geoff Mulgan, CEO of Nesta, comments: “Digital technologies are unlike any others – they change everything businesses do. That’s why, as this research confirms, digital jobs and activity are becoming ever more important in apparently non-digital industries.”

 

“And it’s why the pay premium is so high, at an average of over £15,000 for digital over non-digital jobs. I hope that parents and teenagers will get the message – that acquiring digital skills pays off, wherever you are.”

 

EXPLORE TECH NATION 2016