Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alan Mak and Margot James

Thursday 1st November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

11. What recent assessment he has made of the contribution of the digital sector to the UK economy.

[The Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries (Margot James)]

The UK’s digital sector is a global powerhouse, and the most recent official statistics show that the sector has contributed over £116 billion to the UK economy and is growing faster than the average for the rest of the economy by two and a half times. From 2015 to 2016, the digital sector’s contribution increased by 5.8%.

[Margot James]

I absolutely agree with my hon. Friend. Indeed, I visited UKCloud a few months ago and was extremely impressed by not just its fast growth but its innovation. The UK cloud sector is a strongly performing part of the overall digital sector. Earlier this year I spoke at the UK cloud awards and was very impressed by the success, innovation and growth potential of the cloud sector.

[Alan Mak]

Govtech is a growing part of the digital economy and it can help to boost public sector productivity. What steps can the Department take to help entrepreneurs and start-ups in this important tech sector?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Alan Mak and Margot James

Thursday 21st June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Margot James]

I am a great admirer of the Ricoh stadium, although I am not sure it would qualify as a small music venue. Coventry benefits, of course, from being the city of culture in 2022, and I am sure that that will galvanise a huge amount of effort in support of what the hon. Gentleman requires.

[Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

8. What steps his Department is taking to support the artificial intelligence sector throughout the UK.

[The Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries (Margot James)]

The UK has a world-class ecosystem for AI, and the Government are determined to maintain our position at the forefront of those technologies. That is why we published a sector deal in April, bringing together Government, industry and academia to provide almost £1 billion of investment to support growth in that sector.

[Alan Mak]

The growing use of AI and big data can help Britain to lead the fourth industrial revolution. What steps is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that the benefits of those technologies are felt by people, communities and businesses across the entire country?

[Margot James]

I congratulate my hon. Friend on all his work in this area. We have a full agenda following the publication of the sector deal, which will ensure that the benefits of AI are effected across the country. Tech Nation now has an AI programme that will support ecosystems across the country.