The UK Government is reportedly set to unveil a new digital strategy later this month.
According to the Financial Times, the technology-focused proposals will cover areas including quantum computing, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health.
The Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) will reportedly publish a 50-page document that brings a number of existing tech policies into one overarching strategy.
Some of the individual policies could be unveiled during the UK’s flagship technology event London Tech Week, which is due to take place from 13th to 17th June at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster.
The Government is looking to provide a boost to UK tech following Brexit, and to encourage more investment in the sector.
Businesses have already asked for an overarching strategy in this area, with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) having called for ministers to publish a strategy to unlock investment and build business confidence.
Some technology companies say that they have struggled to find the talent they need following Brexit, while others have expressed concern about the impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdowns on the sector.
UK needs to strengthen its position as a tech superpower
According to the Financial Times, the document is likely to say that the UK needs to strengthen its place as a leading world superpower in technology and science.
The DCMS is expected to present a plan to boost AI investment, while the Business Department will submit proposals related to increasing the resources allocated to quantum computing.
Other key policies will involve next-gen superconductors and digital health technology.
Health secretary Sajid Javid, for example, reportedly wants to address inequalities in healthcare by using data to identify areas with disparities in which to allocate resources.
Proposals on semiconductors will aim to address concerns that the UK is lagging behind other countries, particularly in Asia, in the design and manufacture of advanced chips.
The Government also wants the London Stock Exchange to establish itself as the preferred platform for trading tech stock launches and to encourage start-ups by prioritising their access to capital.
The UK is not the only country looking to encourage start-ups and boost their tech sectors, however.
A number of similar events are set to take place at the same time as London Tech Week in Dublin, Paris, Berlin, Barcelona and Amsterdam.
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