Oral Answers to Questions

Gagan Mohindra Excerpts

Thursday 5th March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Saqib Bhatti (Meriden) (Con)]

12. What recent steps she has taken to support UK tech start-ups to export globally.

[Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) (Con)]

13. What recent steps she has taken to support UK tech start-ups to export globally.

[The Secretary of State for International Trade (Elizabeth Truss)]

We are a world leader in tech. Following our departure from the European Union, we have launched a new GREAT campaign that promotes everything from our agri-tech to our gaming capabilities. The Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Beverley and Holderness (Graham Stuart), recently led a delegation to Las Vegas where he promoted UK tech at the Consumer Electronics Show.

--- Later in debate ---

[Elizabeth Truss]

Birmingham has the largest tech sector outside London. It has firms specialising in FinTech, games, health-tech and cyber-security. We will keep the UK at the top of the investment tree. Last year we saw investment in UK tech growing faster than in any other nation in the world. We need to keep at the forefront, and there are huge opportunities for our tech industry.

[Gagan Mohindra]

Will my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State join me in celebrating the fact that last year investment into the UK’s tech start-ups grew more than anywhere else in the world? Will she outline the steps she is taking to build on this fantastic achievement?

[Elizabeth Truss]

After we have left the European Union, we have a huge opportunity to strike new data and digital agreements with the rest of the world. We are looking for a data and digital chapter in the US FTA. We are looking for an advanced data and digital chapter with Japan. We have the opportunity to create a global powerhouse here in the UK.