Committee launch an inquiry on the digital economy
21 September 2015
The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee launch an inquiry looking at the digital economy.
- Inquiry: The digital economy
- Follow the inquiry on Twitter with #UKdigitaleconomy
- Business, Innovation and Skills Committee
This inquiry focuses on Government actions affecting businesses in the digital economy; how to maximise the opportunities and overcome challenges in the sector; and how the sector can contribute to improving national productivity. It considers how businesses can best adapt to the rapidly changing environment and utilise digital infrastructure to improve their performance, and what the Government can do to ensure that the UK can play a leading role in taking advantage of digital technologies.
Scope of the inquiry
- What are the major barriers to UK business success in the digital economy? What steps could the Government take to help businesses to overcome these barriers?
- How effective are UK financial markets in supporting the digital economy? What actions could the Government take to improve their effectiveness?
- What lessons can be learned from the Government's support of tech start-ups and other measures targeted at the digital economy? How is this developing around the regions and nations of the United Kingdom?
- Does the UK's Intellectual Property regulatory regime provide effective protection for the digital economy and sufficient scope for innovation and competition?
- What actions could the Government take to foster the development of potentially disruptive technologies? Are further safeguards warranted to help existing businesses adapt to the impact of these technologies on their traditional business models?
- What actions could the Government take to ensure the availability of a workforce with the skills to support businesses in the digital economy?
Chair's Comments
Iain Wright MP, the Chair of the Business Innovation and Skills Select Committee:
"Digital technology is rapidly changing the economic landscape in which firms operate. Nothing short of a digital and tech revolution is taking place, with new entrepreneurs and business models emerging and existing businesses having to adapt quickly to keep pace. There are huge opportunities for competitive advantage for UK firms, but also real challenges.
The BIS Committee wants to evaluate existing initiatives by the Government and to consider what other actions the Government might take to enhance the UK digital economy. We want to hear from all those interested and involved in this area, whether you are a tech entrepreneur ambitious to start a business or a company in an established part of the economy hoping to use digital technology to improve your business, so we can help ensure that the UK is at the forefront of the global digital economy."
How to respond
Written submissions should be sent online via the inquiry webpage. The closing date for submissions is Thursday 29 October.
This inquiry complements the Culture, Media and Support Select Committee's inquiry into superfast broadband and will not cover the delivery and implementation of broadband services.
Further information
Image: iStockphoto