Digital industries employ 1.46m in UK, says Tech Nation report

The Government-backed Tech City UK industry group used big data, a survey of 2,000 businesses, 40 interviews and employment data to create what it claims is the most comprehensive analysis of digital businesses in the UK to date.

The Tech Nation report shows that tech companies in Yorkshire support at least 73,000 jobs, based on analysis of clusters in Leeds (44,951), Sheffield (21,403) and Hull (12,219).

The report reveals the dominance of the capital and the M4 corridor with Inner London (251,590), Bristol and Bath (61,653) and Reading and Berkshire (54,527) accounting for 367,770 jobs.

Digital businesses in Greater Manchester employ an estimated 56,527 people, according to the report.

Gerard Grech, chief executive of Tech City UK, told The Yorkshire Post: “Digital is driving growth right across the country.

“Alongside growth, we are seeing clusters. Clusters have their own specialisms, assets and culture. In Yorkshire, you have software development, advertising and marketing, gaming development, edtech (education technology), data management analytics and telecoms and hardware.”

He said the report should help inform policymakers.

Baroness Joanna Shields, chairwoman of Tech City UK and digital advisor to the Prime Minister, said the UK is recognised on the world stage for its strengths in the technology and digital sectors.

The former Facebook director added that the report reveals the depth of the sector and the “complex array of skills, specialisms and strengths that truly makes us a Tech Nation”.