FileHippo News

The latest software and tech news

In a push to attract the best international talent to the UK’s digital sector, World-class technology experts will be given fast-tracked visas, David Cameron is to... Fast-Track UK Visas For Technology Experts

In a push to attract the best international talent to the UK’s digital sector, World-class technology experts will be given fast-tracked visas, David Cameron is to announce on Friday.  The prime minister is also set to unveil a £15.5m funding, which will support innovative firms, as he pledges to “make Britain the best place in the world in which to start and grow a business.”

This comes as a report reveals the sector grew by 16% between 2009 and 2012 in London and is behind 27% of all job growth the city, employing around 582,000 people.  During a visit to Tech City, (Britain’s Silicon Valley) in east London this Friday, Cameron will outline plans for the government to open up the exceptional talent visa route, from April next year.  This route is usually reserved for international leaders in science and the arts who have been approved by expert organisations such as the Royal Society or Arts Council.

Tech City

Funding of up to £12.5m for research and development will be available to boost digital and computer technologies across the UK as well as least three new funding schemes of £1m each, to encourage specialist clusters including in the north-east of England and Wales.

“The world of business is changing rapidly and one of the most promising opportunities for new jobs and growth lies within a new wave of high growth, highly innovative digital businesses…This is why, as part of our plan to help Britain succeed, we established Tech City UK to support the creation of a technology cluster in east London and committed to help these businesses to become cornerstones of our economy,” the Prime Minister said recently.  “We’ve had real success. Today Tech City serves not only as an example of how a city can be transformed into an engine for growth and innovation, but it is also a blueprint for fostering growth that has been recognised globally…But this is not just about London. We are determined to build a rebalanced economy across the country and get behind the entrepreneurs imagining a new tomorrow in the dozens of technology clusters, accelerators and start-up incubators across Britain,” he continued.

The Tech City annual report said it is now recognised as Europe’s digital capital and between 2009 and 2012 tech companies in London increased 76% to 88,215.  Joanna Shields, Tech City chief executive and ambassador for digital industries, said: “In 2010, the government recognised the growth potential of the tech sector and, three years on, the results are significant. The economic impact generated by creative and innovative digital businesses is not only supporting our recovery, but, as today’s new data shows, it has ensured our lead as one of the world’s leading digital economies…Our challenge now is to build on these firm foundations to drive higher rates of start-ups and create a landscape favourable to digitally enabled firms to thrive and contribute long term to growth and jobs.”

[Image via standard]

SOURCE: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/dec/06/technology-experts-fast-track-uk-visas-funding