Reactions to the tech policies introduced by the chancellor in Wednesday’s Autumn Statement have been broadly positive from industry figures, although there are criticisms of some of the finer details.
A funding boost for AI compute access, an extension to the Venture Capital Trusts (VCT) and Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), positive reforms to research and development (R&D) tax credits and government-backed quantum projects, among other announcements, have gone down well with startups and investors.
“This statement has significant potential to boost investment from the tech sector,” said Julian David, CEO of the trade association techUK. “However, with low growth forecasts, there is no room for mistakes and no time to lose. The government needs to work at pace alongside the tech sector to put these policies into action and get growth going.”...