The government has announced a major new push to back women in technology, focusing on tackling barriers faced by female founders and workers while simultaneously promoting growth across the UK economy. This initiative, informed by the Chancellor’s Budget, will introduce new voluntary standards for better workplace culture, improved reporting routes for harassment, and fairer investment practices.
A new scale-up women’s programme is set to be launched, providing enhanced support to help women-led businesses scale and grow. The government estimates that creating a fairer sector and investment culture, where women can start and scale businesses at the same rate as men, could unlock £310 billion for the UK economy. Early industry ambassadors, including BT, Revolut, Sage, Balderton Capital, and Octopus Ventures, will collaborate with the Women in Tech Taskforce to co-create these standards.
The UK boasts one of the world's leading tech sectors, yet women continue to encounter obstacles in entering, progressing, and securing investment. Currently, women constitute only 22% of the IT workforce. Evidence suggests that closing these participation gaps could add up to £4 billion annually to the UK's GDP, while enabling women to found and grow businesses at the same rate as men could unlock £310 billion.
A recent government call for evidence revealed that 74% of respondents believe improved workplace culture would significantly support women’s progression and leadership in tech. In response, the government is committing to a new “Tech Forward Standard” designed to enhance workplace culture, potentially including measures like trusted harassment reporting routes to ensure workers feel safe to come forward.
Women founders also face challenges in raising investment, with only 2p of every £1 invested in UK venture capital funding going to women-founded businesses. The taskforce is progressing a new “Inclusive Investment Standard,” which may include commitments to broaden deal sourcing channels and track the progress of women-led businesses from pitch to funding decisions, thereby identifying areas for improvement.
In addition to these voluntary standards, a new scale-up women’s programme will be launched in 2027. This programme aims to assist women founders of high-potential, high-growth UK businesses in securing investment and scaling up. It will provide support such as workshops, peer learning, networking, and introductions to investors, jointly run by DCMS and BIST.
Digital Inclusion Minister and Women in Tech Taskforce co-chair Vicky Foxcroft stated, "Too many talented women are leaving tech or never getting the chance to build a career in it in the first place. That’s not just unfair, it’s a waste of talent our economy can’t afford. These initiatives are about working with industry to create opportunities for all, so that tech becomes a place where women can thrive, from the classroom right through to the boardroom."
Anne-Marie Imafidon, Chief Executive and co-founder of Stemettes and Women in Tech Envoy, commented, "Too many women have told us about facing misconduct like harassment and discrimination in tech. That is unacceptable and a key driver of poor participation in the sector. This launch is about working with industry to ensure we have a future that works for everyone, by creating the cultural change women and their allies have long been calling for."
With 74% of respondents advocating for better workplace culture, there is a clear mandate to collaborate with industry to make tech a sector where women can stay, thrive, and lead. Both standards will undergo a co-creation period with industry and investors before their formal launch in the coming months. The Women in Tech Taskforce will reconvene in November to advance this work.
These initiatives are part of wider efforts to create more opportunities for women and girls in tech. This includes the launch of the TechFirst Girls Competition, offering girls across the UK a chance to develop tech skills and confidence. Additionally, the Get Tech Certified programme is upskilling public sector employees, with a dedicated Women in Tech strand offering events, mentoring, and career stories. The TechFirst Women’s Programme will support 300 women across the UK with mentoring, skills development, and job matching for roles in AI, cyber security, and other high-growth sectors, aiming to secure paid roles lasting at least six months by March 2027.
