SME News March 2017

28 SME NEWS / March 2017 , More than four million free digital skills training opportunities will be created as part of a Digital Strategy, tomake Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business and ensure that the digital economy works for everyone. The Best Place in the World to Start a Digital Business A pioneering new Digital Skills Partnership will see government, business, charities and voluntary organisations coming together to make sure people have the right skills for the jobs in their area and are aware of all the digital training opportunities on offer. This government-led initiative will help both businesses and individuals – ensuring that no one is left behind. The strategy includes new commitments, including a plan by Lloyds Banking Group to give face-to-face digital skills training to 2.5 million individuals, charities and small and medium businesses by 2020; plans by Barclays to teach basic coding to 45,000 more children and assist up to one million people with general digital skills and cyber awareness; and a pledge by Google, as part of their commitment of five hours of free digital skills for everyone, to help boost digital skills in seaside towns. It is part of the government’s ambitions to ensure everyone has the skills they need to flourish in a digitally-driven economy. The strategy follows the recent modern Industrial Strategy and will help Britain to build on its strengths to secure a future as a competitive, global nation. Businesses have played an important role developing the strategy. To capitalise on these new relationships and deliver a thriving, outward-looking digital economy, the strategy also sets out plans to empower innovative businesses and deliver world- class connectivity. This includes: • The creation of five international tech hubs in emerging markets to create and develop partnerships between UK companies and local tech firms. These hubs will help provide British businesses with a global competitive edge and drive collaboration on skills, innovation, technology and research and development. The hubs will be based upon the successful UK-Israel Tech Hub which to date has delivered more than 80 partnerships with a deal value of £62 million; • A new competition to spark the development of new FinTech products that can support those who struggle to access financial services and provide consumers with the tools they need to manage their finances well. This will build on the UK’s existing lead in the FinTech sector, which was worth more than £6.6bn in 2015 and make sure the digital economy works for all, not just the privileged few; • A commitment to create a Secretary of State-led forum for government and the tech community to work together to spark growth in the digital economy - through innovation and the adoption of digital in the wider economy; • A Business Connectivity Forum, to be chaired by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to bring together business organisations, local authorities and communications providers to help businesses access fast, affordable and reliable broadband and; • Confirmation of £1billion programme to keep Britain at the forefront of digital connectivity, announced at Autumn Statement. This funding will accelerate the development and uptake of next generation digital infrastructure - including full fibre broadband plans and 5G. Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Karen Bradley said: “The UK’s world-leading digital sectors are a major driver