The state of UK tech in 2026: polling from techUK and Public First
Securing the UK’s competitive edge in a global market
In 2025, techUK’s annual research pointed toward a sector defined by optimism. Despite global shocks, the UK has been seen as a premier destination to start and scale a business, with the new Government’s commitment to a growth agenda seen as a step in the right direction. One year on, the view has shifted. While the ambition of the UK’s business remains undimmed, a significant "confidence gap" has emerged between the Government's rhetoric and the reality of the UK’s operating environment.
The 2026 edition of our research, conducted by Public First, represents our most comprehensive study to date. By surveying 500 business leaders from both the technology sector and the wider economy, we have captured a unique snapshot of the UK’s industrial health. The findings reveal businesses are ready to invest and grow, but they are increasingly looking for more tangible proof that the UK Government remains committed to the growth agenda.
The stakes are high. While technology adoption is now universally recognised as the primary engine for growth, structural barriers are weighing on business confidence. As the UK navigates a turbulent global economy, this year’s results serve as both a warning and a roadmap for how to secure the UK’s competitive edge.
A growing disconnect on growth
Despite growth being a primary ambition for 37% of tech and 40% of non-tech businesses, there is a stark lack of faith in the government’s delivery. A staggering 84% of tech businesses and 95% of non-tech businesses are unconvinced that economic growth is a genuine priority for the UK government.
The current operating environment is cited as a major hurdle. Over half of tech firms (56%) and nearly three-quarters of non-tech firms (71%) describe the environment as "challenging" for expansion.
Tech is the engine for growth
The most encouraging takeaway from the data is the overwhelming conviction that technology is central to growth in the wider economy. No longer viewed as a siloed industry, the digital sector is seen as the backbone of UK recovery by almost everyone.
85% of non-tech businesses agree the digital sector plays a significant role in UK growth.
62% of non-tech businesses have identified the adoption of technologies like AI as a key priority for the coming years.
Polling suggests that view the tech sector and the UK economy are inextricably linked, with growth being underpinned by a reliance on technological innovation and adoption.
A warning sign
The research highlights a worrying trend: businesses are beginning to look elsewhere to realise their growth potential.
While 72% of tech businesses believe the UK sector can still outperform international competitors in Europe and North America, frustration with domestic barriers is driving a "move or lose" mentality:
45% of tech businesses have considered relocating investment or operations outside the UK.
38% of non-tech businesses have considered the same.
83% of tech firms are exploring international expansion in pursuit of more favourable growth markets.
What business needs
To turn the tide, business leaders have identified clear policy levers that would unlock investment. The message to Westminster is consistent across sectors: focus on the fundamentals of cost and regulation.
Top Policy Priorities:
Fiscal Reform: Reducing business taxes (52% non-tech, 40% tech).
Energy Costs: Addressing the high cost of power (46% non-tech, 37% tech).
Future Skills: Expanding AI training programmes to bridge the talent gap (27% non-tech, 35% tech).
Regulatory Agility: Simplifying regulation around emerging technologies to encourage "sandbox" innovation (27% non-tech, 30% tech).
The view from techUK
Antony Walker, Deputy CEO, techUK
"Tech and non-tech companies alike are optimistic about the potential for technology to drive growth. But they need to believe that government will play its part in creating the conditions for that to happen. The analysis has all been done – it's in the industrial strategy. What we need to see now is Government delivering on that plan. In a turbulent geopolitical world, it is more important than ever to stay focused on building an economy that’s fit for the future."
Notes:
techUK launched the findings of the polling at techUK’s Tech Policy Conference 2026, on Monday 16 March.
Fieldwork was undertaken by Public First. 256 UK Business decision-makers from non-tech businesses, 275 from tech businesses. 24th February- 6th March 2026. All results are weighted using Iterative Proportional Fitting, or 'Raking'.
For more information or to get involved with our policy programme, contact the team below.
Nimmi Patel
Associate Director for Policy, techUK
Nimmi Patel
Associate Director for Policy, techUK
Nimmi Patel is the Associate Director of Policy at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre’s research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers, and governments.
Prior to joining the techUK team, she worked for the UK Labour Party and New Zealand Labour Party, and holds an MA in Strategic Communications at King’s College London and BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Manchester. She also took part in the 2024-25 University of Bath Institute for Policy Research Policy Fellowship Programme and is the Education and Skills Policy Co-lead for Labour in Communications.
Doniya Soni-Clark is Associate Director of External Affairs at techUK, where she leads the organisation's relationships with key political stakeholders and ensures the voice of the UK tech sector is heard loud and clear - in Westminster, Whitehall, and beyond. She is responsible for shaping techUK's political engagement strategy and representing members' interests to media, translating complex tech policy into compelling narratives that cut through.
With a career spanning public affairs, public policy, and industry advocacy, Doniya brings a combination of political instinct and policy depth. She began her career at Westbourne Communications before joining techUK in 2015 as Policy Manager for Skills — her first stint at the organisation. She then moved to the Greater London Authority as Principal Policy Officer, before spending seven years at Multiverse, the fast-growing British Edtech scale-up, as Head of Policy and Public Affairs. Her return to techUK brings that experience full-circle.
Doniya is a committed advocate for the UK's tech ecosystem and understands what it takes to grow a business in a complex regulatory and political environment - having lived it from the inside.
Doniya holds an MSc in Public Policy from the London School of Economics and a BA in Economics & Politics from the University of Exeter.
Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes our work on online safety, fraud, and regulation for growth initiatives.
He has prior experience working for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has previously worked for a number of public affairs consultancies specialising in research and strategy, working with leading clients in the technology and financial services sectors.
Margherita is the Head of Strategic Communications at techUK, leading the organisation’s external and internal communications strategy and serving as the primary point of contact for media enquiries.
She is responsible for strengthening techUK’s voice across the technology ecosystem, ensuring the priorities and perspectives of members are clearly represented in the media. She works across the organisation to align messaging with strategic objectives and enhance techUK’s profile and influence.
Before joining techUK, Margherita worked in public relations across the technology, public affairs and charity sectors. She has delivered evidence-based strategic campaigns and built strong relationships with senior stakeholders, helping organisations communicate complex issues with clarity and credibility.
As Head of Public Affairs, Alice supports techUK’s strategic engagement with Westminster, Whitehall and beyond. She regularly works to engage with ministers, members of the UK’s parliaments and senior civil servants on techUK’s work advocating for the role of technology in the UK’s economy as well as wider society.
Alice joined techUK in 2022. She has experience working at both a political monitoring company, leading on the tech, media and telecoms portfolio there, and also as an account manager in a Westminster-based public affairs agency. She has a degree from the University of Sheffield in Politics and Philosophy.
Oliver is a Junior Policy Manager at techUK, working across Public Affairs and Digital Regulation policy. He supports the organisation’s engagement with government and parliament, contributes to shaping techUK’s regulatory agenda, and plays a key role in coordinating political outreach, policy projects, and flagship events.
He joined techUK in November 2023 as a Team Assistant to the Policy and Public Affairs team, before stepping into his current role. He has been closely involved in efforts to ensure the tech sector’s voice is heard in the policymaking process.
Oliver holds a Master’s in Policy Research from the University of Bristol and a BSc in Policy from Swansea University. During his studies, he contributed to mental health research as a Student Research Assistant for the SMaRteN network.
Outside of work, Oliver is a keen debater and remains active in the UK debating community, having previously led the Swansea University Debating Union. He enjoys exploring complex issues from multiple perspectives and values clear, thoughtful communication in policy discussions.
techUK's Policy and Public Affairs Programme activities
techUK helps our members understand, engage and influence the development of digital and tech policy in the UK and beyond. We support our members to understand some of the most complex and thorny policy questions that confront our sector. Visit the programme page here.
The state of UK tech in 2026: polling from techUK and Public First
Read techUK’s latest insight on the State of UK Tech in 2026, exploring how policy and innovation can strengthen the UK’s competitive edge.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Antony Walker is deputy CEO of techUK, which he played a lead role in launching in November 2013.
Antony is a member of the senior leadership team and has overall responsibility for techUK’s policy work. Prior to his appointment in July 2012 Antony was chief executive of the Broadband Stakeholder Group (BSG), the UK’s independent advisory group on broadband policy. Antony was closely involved in the development of broadband policy development in the UK since the BSG was established in 2001 and authored several major reports to government. He also led the development of the UK’s world leading Open Internet Code of Practice that addresses the issue of net neutrality in the UK. Prior to setting up the BSG, Antony spent six years working in Brussels for the American Chamber of Commerce following and writing about telecoms issues and as a consultant working on EU social affairs and environmental issues. Antony is a graduate of Aberdeen University and KU Leuven and is also a Policy Fellow Alumni of the Centre for Science and Policy at Cambridge University.
Nimmi Patel is the Associate Director of Policy at techUK. She works on all things skills, education, and future of work policy, focusing on upskilling and retraining. Nimmi is also an Advisory Board member of the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (digit). The Centre’s research aims to increase understanding of how digital technologies are changing work and the implications for employers, workers, job seekers, and governments.
Prior to joining the techUK team, she worked for the UK Labour Party and New Zealand Labour Party, and holds an MA in Strategic Communications at King’s College London and BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from the University of Manchester. She also took part in the 2024-25 University of Bath Institute for Policy Research Policy Fellowship Programme and is the Education and Skills Policy Co-lead for Labour in Communications.
As Head of Public Affairs, Alice supports techUK’s strategic engagement with Westminster, Whitehall and beyond. She regularly works to engage with ministers, members of the UK’s parliaments and senior civil servants on techUK’s work advocating for the role of technology in the UK’s economy as well as wider society.
Alice joined techUK in 2022. She has experience working at both a political monitoring company, leading on the tech, media and telecoms portfolio there, and also as an account manager in a Westminster-based public affairs agency. She has a degree from the University of Sheffield in Politics and Philosophy.
Edward leads the Digital Economy programme at techUK, which includes our work on online safety, fraud, and regulation for growth initiatives.
He has prior experience working for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and has previously worked for a number of public affairs consultancies specialising in research and strategy, working with leading clients in the technology and financial services sectors.
Samiah Anderson is the Head of Digital Regulation at techUK.
With over seven years of Government Affairs expertise, Samiah has built a solid reputation as a tech policy specialist, engaging regularly with UK Government Ministers, senior civil servants and UK Parliamentarians.
Before joining techUK, Samiah led several public affairs functions for international tech firms and coalitions at Burson Global (formerly Hill & Knowlton), delivering CEO-level strategic counsel on political, legislative, and regulatory issues in the UK, EU, US, China, India, and Japan. She is adept at mobilising multinational companies and industry associations, focusing on cross-cutting digital regulatory issues such as competition, artificial intelligence, and more.
She holds a BA (Hons) in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from the University of London, where she founded the New School Economics Society, the Goldsmiths University chapter of Rethinking Economics.
Jake has been the Policy Manager for Skills and Future of Work since May 2022, supporting techUK's work to empower the UK to skill, attract and retain the brightest global talent, and prepare for the digital transformations of the future workplace.
Previously, Jake was the Programme Assistant for Policy. He joined techUK in March 2019 and has also worked across the EU Exit, International Trade, and Cloud, Data Analytics and AI programmes.
He also holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Sussex, as well as a BA(Hons) in International Politics from Aberystwyth University. During his time at Aberystwyth University, he won the International Politics Dissertation Prize.
Archie Breare joined techUK in September 2022 as the Telecoms Programme intern, and moved into the Policy and Public Affairs team in February 2023.
Before starting at techUK, Archie was a student at the University of Cambridge, completing an undergraduate degree in History and a master's degree in Modern British History.
In his spare time, he likes to read, discuss current affairs, and to try and persuade himself to cycle more.
Dani joined techUK in February 2025 as a Policy Manager in the Digital Regulation team.
Prior to this, Dani worked in political monitoring where she was a consultant for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. In this role, she developed a strong understanding of parliamentary procedure, closely following all of the major developments in the tech centre and working with several key stakeholders and regulators.
She has an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Bristol and an MPhil in Modern European History from the University of Cambridge.
Outside of tech, Dani has a strong interest in addiction policy, particularly towards drugs, having written her dissertation on the topic as well as several subsequent research projects. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and following all things motoring, whether that be F1, MotoGP or Formula E.
Oliver is a Junior Policy Manager at techUK, working across Public Affairs and Digital Regulation policy. He supports the organisation’s engagement with government and parliament, contributes to shaping techUK’s regulatory agenda, and plays a key role in coordinating political outreach, policy projects, and flagship events.
He joined techUK in November 2023 as a Team Assistant to the Policy and Public Affairs team, before stepping into his current role. He has been closely involved in efforts to ensure the tech sector’s voice is heard in the policymaking process.
Oliver holds a Master’s in Policy Research from the University of Bristol and a BSc in Policy from Swansea University. During his studies, he contributed to mental health research as a Student Research Assistant for the SMaRteN network.
Outside of work, Oliver is a keen debater and remains active in the UK debating community, having previously led the Swansea University Debating Union. He enjoys exploring complex issues from multiple perspectives and values clear, thoughtful communication in policy discussions.
Tess joined techUK as an Policy and Public Affairs Team Assistant in November of 2024. In this role, she supports areas such as administration, member communications and media content.
Before joining the Team, she gained experience working as an Intern in both campaign support for MPs and Councilors during the 2024 Local and General Election, and working for the Casimir Pulaski Foundation on defence and international secuirty. She has worked for multiple charities, on issues such as the climate crisis, educational inequality and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). In 2023, Tess obtained her Bachelors of Arts in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham.
techUK is keeping track of the 2026 updates to the AI Opportunities Action Plan. A full summary of all the announcements this month is forthcoming.Today, the government has announced a £36 million investment to upgrade the DAWN supercomputer at the University of Cambridge, aimed at increasing its computing power sixfold and significantly expanding access to high-performance AI compute in the UK.
The UK has a world-leading regulatory system that supports the economy while protecting the society. However, strategic reforms to the UK’s regulatory regime could help unlock its full potential as a vital catalyst for growth, bringing considerable rewards across industry.
