Insights

The Government has set out its vision for transforming care through its Neighbourhood Health Framework, supported by NHS England’s latest guidance to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) on developing Neighbourhood Health Centres (NHCs).

A survey conducted by Policing Insight, supported by a steering group comprising the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), the Police Federation of England and Wales, the Home Office, and the Police Digital Service, has found that more than half of police officers are dissatisfied with the current provision of digital, data and technology (DDaT) within police forces.

The Government's Growing Up in the Online World consultation closes on 26 May. techUK sets out its positions ahead of submitting a formal response. 

What the 2026 legislative agenda means for investment, innovation, and the UK’s digital economy.

Today’s King’s Speech outlined the government’s legislative priorities for the year ahead, including an upcoming Bill covering Digital Identity, called the Digital Access to Services Bill. The focus of the Bill is to modernise how citizens interact with public services. 

On the 12 May, the government published the annual Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis 2026 report, sharing insights on the size, growth and focus areas for the UK cyber security sector.

Following last week's local elections and the Senedd vote in Wales, Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a reset speech on 11 May morning. The speech contained some announcements on the UK's relationship with the European Union

The RIO Is seeking insights from businesses to understand the regulatory barriers that are holding back innovation across all science and technology sectors.

The framing of the debate - that grid convenience should drive location decisions for digital infrastructure - deserves scrutiny.

techUK has submitted its response to the Department for Education's Call for Evidence on the use of AI and digital technology in children's social care.

See upcoming events, opportunities, news, and updates from techUK's International Trade Programme…

Welcome to this week’s update on the fast-moving world of global trade, digital policy, and transatlantic relations. Here’s what’s shaping the global agenda right now.

The UK Spectrum Policy Forum has commissioned Real Wireless to map the radio spectrum landscape for lunar communications

techUK's Technology & Innovation programme is excited to announce that we are now seeking contributions for our annual focus week, which is taking place from 15-19 June.

View the summary and recording now.

On Tuesday, the Government revealed its plan to cut energy bills, in the context of rising wholesale prices triggered by conflict in the Middle East.

techUK is pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with TelecomTV, one of the telecoms industry's most authoritative and widely-read media platforms.

Today, techuk and JEITA announced Alistair Tebbit, Head of Asia Pacific Government Affairs at RELX as the new Chair of the UK-Japan Tech Forum.

CYBERUK has kicked off in Glasgow today with opening keynote speeches from Richard Horne, CEO of the National Cyber Security Centre and Dan Jarvis MBE MP, Minster for Security.

Meet the new Smart Infrastructure and Systems Council

Today (16/04/2026), the UK Government published its response to the consultation on the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS).

Quantum technology is no longer a distant prospect. From accelerating AI and scientific discovery to enabling ultra-secure communications, or transforming sensing across healthcare, defence, and climate monitoring, it is rapidly becoming one of the defining technologies of our era, capable of solving problems that lie entirely beyond the reach of classical computing.

2026 is a period of deep change in the UK’s Health and Social Care ecosystem.

The National Cyber Awards recognise the individuals and organisations making a meaningful difference to the UK's cyber security landscape.

World Quantum Day is an international initiative that invites businesses, scientists, engineers, educators, communicators, entrepreneurs, technologists and more to showcase the latest advancements in quantum technologies and generate interest in quantum-based ambitions.

Launched in March 2026, this year-long initiative will discover how the UK can lead on the development and deployment of Frontier Compute technologies. 

See upcoming events, opportunities, news, and updates from techUK's International Trade Programme…

Welcome to this week’s update on the fast-moving world of global trade, digital policy, and transatlantic relations. Here’s what’s shaping the global agenda right now.

Historic UK–US Pharmaceutical Partnership Signals Step Change for Health Regulation, Innovation and Investment

The Smart Data Strategy and the Transport Data Action Plan outline measures on access, standards, and protection to drive innovation, growth and better outcomes across UK transport.

Understand how government plans to strengthen security for enterprise connected devices and what this means for product development, compliance and market access. Gain early insight into emerging requirements and position your organisation to shape and respond to the UK’s evolving device security landscape.

Read our insight on Defra’s new Land Use Framework, which marks a significant step forward in how government approaches one of the country’s most constrained and contested resources: land.

In March, I had the opportunity to attend the RSA Conference in San Francisco for the first time.

The Get Britain Working White Paper, which was co-authored by the secretaries of state for DWP, DHSC, DfE, and HMT, sets out plans to set the country on a path to bring down economic inactivity and improve employment outcomes.

Last week, DBT published their Smart Data Strategy, ‘Smart Data 2035’, outlining their long-term vision to embed Smart Data schemes across the UK economy.

This year’s Commission focused on ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including addressing discriminatory laws, unequal legal systems and the structural barriers that continue to limit women’s rights.

The Government Commercial Agency (formerly CCS) are excited to share an opportunity for Suppliers and Contracting Authorities to provide feedback on their upcoming procurement, "Network Services 4". This agreement will be a replacement to the existing "Network Services 3" agreement due to expire in July 2027.

Sign-up to drive policy change and feed into the government’s Women in Tech Taskforce.

Guest blog by Eoghan Kelly, Senior Sustainability Specialist at Fastly.

The government announced its LGR decisions in four of the devolution fast track areas, opting for between three and five councils in each area.

The 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé has concluded without agreement on one of the most critical pillars of the global digital economy, underlining the challenges facing the multilateral trading system. 

Innovate UK will become more deliberate about what technologies, sectors and businesses they support under a new strategy that is designed to address the challenge of transforming world-class research and early-stage innovation in the UK into globally competitive businesses. 

Over £7.4 billion a year is to be spent on small businesses by 2028.

techUK insight on Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care’s speech at University of East London (26 March 2026)

At techUK’s 2026 Tech Policy Conference, we were delighted to welcome Scotland’s Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, Kate Forbes MSP.

techUK has published a new paper, Next steps for UK-Ukraine Cooperation in Tech, Trade and Defence, which sets out a practical agenda for deepening collaboration between the UK and Ukraine across defence-tech, innovation and digital trade.

techUK will be launching a new report - Digital Infrastructure 2035 – The backbone of Britain’s future economy – in July 2026, highlighting the key role of digital infrastructure as the foundation for all future economic activity.  

House of Lords Science and Technology Committee Inquiry: What you need to know

Warren Tucker, Partner and Technology Leader at PwC UK, shares his key takeaways from Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona. After a packed few days at MWC 2026 in Barcelona - full of meetings, demos and conversations with technology leaders - five talking points kept coming up again and again. These are trends I think everyone in the tech ecosystem should be watching closely.

See upcoming events, opportunities, news, and updates from techUK's International Trade Programme…

Welcome to this week’s update on the fast-moving world of global trade, digital policy, and transatlantic relations. Here’s what’s shaping the global agenda right now.

The government has launched an independent review into police force structures following the Policing Reform white paper, examining how forces can operate more efficiently through structural change. Led by Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe, the review will explore governance, accountability and the potential move towards fewer, larger police forces.

Collaboration, Innovation, and Trust: techUK at the UN Global Fraud Summit

The European Commission published its legislative proposal for EU Inc. on 18 March 2026. The proposal is a response to the Draghi and Letta Reports' diagnosis that legal fragmentation across 27 national corporate systems in the EU acts as an "invisible tariff" on cross-border growth. It seeks to establish a new, harmonised corporate legal regime across the European Union.

Once again, the UK has failed to find a definitive way forward on AI and copyright that meets the needs of a world-leading digital economy.  The government has effectively parked the discussion on text and data mining. It is instead seeking to reset the debate by focusing on more specific issues where the government hopes there is potential to make progress in the near term.  

This review sets the course for the regulator’s approach to the fixed market and help promote competition and investment.

Find out what the RAG will do and how to get involved.

On 17 March, the Chancellor gave her second Mais Lecture. The lecture was heavily trailed in the Spring Forecast as when the Chancellor would outline the government’s economic thinking.

The Government has announced up to £2 billion to support the development and commercialisation of quantum technologies. This includes more than £1 billion over the next four years, as announced by UKRI in December 2025, and a first of its kind procurement programme, ProQure to support scaling quantum computing in the UK.

FLock.io has demonstrated federated learning as a sovereign AI technique for governmental organisations with Sarawak, Malaysia as a case study.

In this insight, techUK responds to government plans to expand the Youth Guarantee, create a Youth Jobs Grant, and offer incentives for youth apprenticeships.

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. 

From 1 April 2026, suppliers awarded below-threshold public sector contracts will be required to register on the Central Digital Platform to obtain a unique supplier identifier. The change forms part of wider implementation of the Procurement Act 2023 and aims to improve transparency in public sector contract awards.

techUK explores the government’s proposed changes to indefinite leave to remain. 

Last year techUK's Future Visions series explored physical AI as a next-generation technology with cutting-edge uses in robotics, smart machines, and human-machine collaboration. This year, our AI and Data programme will dig deeper into how physical AI is evolving and what it could mean for the UK's AI sector. 

On 6 March 2026, the Lords Communications and Digital Committee published the outcome of their inquiry into AI and copyright.  The report discourages the Government from introducing a new TDM exception with an opt-out mechanism, advocates for statutory transparency requirements for on AI training data, and urges the Government to act against unauthorised digital replicas “in the style of” of creators’ work.  

Today, the long-expected consultation into the National Digital ID Scheme has launched. This 91-page consultation will run for eight weeks, closing 05 May.  

The Home Office has published its Fraud Strategy 20262029, outlining a multi-year plan to tackle fraud against individuals and businesses in the UK.

Over the past five months, techUK’s Photonics sprint campaign has convened innovators, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore how the UK can build upon its world-class photonics research base and industrial strengths to drive future growth, productivity, and global leadership. 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves responds to the OBR’s Spring Forecast amid significant global economic instability.

By Andrea Marshall Webb, Managing Director, Credera.

techUK has refreshed its media partnership with Policing Insight and PolicingTV for 2026, continuing collaboration to showcase innovation and insight across UK policing. The renewed agreement provides members with opportunities to contribute thought leadership, interviews and analysis aligned to Justice and Emergency Services priorities.

Read our insight on the long-awaited UK Sustainability Reporting Standards which will form the foundation of UK sustainability disclosures.

Welcome to this week’s update on the fast-moving world of global trade, digital policy, and transatlantic relations. Here’s what’s shaping the global agenda right now.

Today, (Feb 26th) HMT and DSIT unveiled their long-awaited guidance, outlining clearly that digital verification solutions certified under the Trust Framework, and appearing on the DVS register, can be reliably utilised to conduct AML checks.

See upcoming events, opportunities, news, and updates from techUK's International Trade Programme…

UK Research and Innovation has published its first AI Strategy, setting out a long-term plan backed by £1.6 billion to strengthen the UK’s AI research, skills and infrastructure. The framework outlines six priority areas aimed at advancing technology development, supporting responsible AI and translating scientific excellence into economic and societal benefit.

This analysis examines what the Schools White Paper signals for the role of technology in education, highlighting infrastructure investment, data reform and AI as enablers of wider system change. It explores emerging demand across digital platforms, interoperability and inclusion, alongside structural reforms that may reshape procurement, governance and delivery expectations.

Read techUK's key outcomes from the AI Impact Summit, New Delhi.

techUK has submitted its response to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency call for evidence on AI regulation in healthcare, reflecting input from across the sector. The response sets out industry recommendations on risk-based regulation, classification, liability, post-market surveillance and the need for clearer coordination across the regulatory and NHS landscape.

Read techUK's updates from Day 5 of the AI Impact Summit, New Delhi.

The third edition of Policing Tomorrow highlights emerging science and technology supporting policing, including work on violence against women and girls, forensics and natural language processing tools. Published by Office of the Police Chief Scientific Adviser, the issue provides insight into forward-looking innovation and priorities shaping the future of policing.

Procurement week 2026 will bring together policymakers, buyers and suppliers to examine the evolving role of procurement in technology adoption, sustainability and public sector reform. Across six sessions, the programme will explore the impact of the Procurement Act 2023, AI in decision-making and practical strategies for competing and delivering under new commercial models.

Read techUK's updates from Day 4 of the AI Impact Summit, New Delhi.

Read techUK's updates from Day 3 of the AI Impact Summit, New Delhi

techUK's reflections on its Human Rights Campaign Week

techUK is pleased to once again partner with Tussell and The Data City on the 2026 Tech 200 list.

Submit case studies and success stories highlighting the latest innovation and best practice for a sustainable approach to Cloud, Data and AI services.

Read techUK's updates from Day 2 of the AI Impact Summit, New Delhi.

Read techUK's updates from Day 1 of the AI Impact Summit, New Delhi.

Explore our deep dive into the cross-section of human rights and tech.

In this blog we discuss how the current legal landscape on human rights is out of date and needs updating sooner rather than later.

Read our insight on Ofgem's latest announcement

Guest blog by La Tess Bartlett, Senior Business Development Executive, WMGC

Read our insight on the government’s expectations in light of rapid technological change and shifting market dynamics.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is calling for input to shape the UK’s future AI compute infrastructure by gathering information on the current and expected future use of HPC resources for AI to support the uptake and advancement of AI technologies within the UK. 

The AI Impact Summit in New Delhi represents a pivotal moment in the global AI dialogue, marking the first time this summit series will be hosted in a developing economy.

A little over a year on from their initial letter to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and Business Secretary on how they are working to promote economic growth, the ICO have issued an update.

Innovate UK has opened a new Skills Development competition under the Robotics Adoption Programme, supporting projects that build capability to enable the effective use of robotics and automation technologies. The funding opportunity focuses on addressing skills barriers to adoption, with an emphasis on collaboration, productivity and real-world application across the UK economy.

Welcome to this week’s update on the fast-moving world of global trade, digital policy, and transatlantic relations. Here’s what’s shaping the global agenda right now. 

See upcoming events, opportunities, news, and updates from techUK's International Trade Programme… 

On Tuesday 3 February, techUK’s Head of Cyber Resilience, Jill Broom gave oral evidence to the House of Commons Cyber Security and Resilience Bill Committee.

The UK Government recently published its response to the House of Lords UK Engagement with Space Committee report, marking an important moment for the UK’s growing space sector.

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has published a new report on its priorities, including several suggestions from techUK.

The International AI Safety Report 2026 has been released today on 3 February 2026, marking the second iteration of the most comprehensive global assessment of artificial intelligence capabilities, risks, and safety measures.

The FCA has opened applications for the second cohort for their AI Live Testing service which offers firms the opportunity to test AI systems in live market conditions with regulatory support. Applications are open until 2 March 2026.

Barnsley has been named the UK’s first government-backed Tech Town, with plans to roll out AI across public services, skills, healthcare and local business as part of a place-based regeneration approach. Announced by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the initiative aims to demonstrate how AI adoption can improve local services, build skills and support regional growth.

The Westcott Space Hub has officially been opened in Buckinghamshire. Backed by £5.8 million of UK Space Agency funding and £15 million in match funding, this facility will support small and medium-sized businesses, major industry players, academia and others in the local space ecosystem to collaborate.

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.

Nigel Brokenshire re-elected as chair and Alex Eavis re-elected as vice-chair of the techUK Life Sciences Working Group

The United Kingdom and China have announced a new services partnership intended to support UK businesses operating in China, including a commitment by Beijing to extend visa-free access for short stays. 

This piece examines how technology is shaping a new era of policing reform, highlighting the role of digital tools in modernising capability and delivery. It sets out the opportunities and considerations for using technology to support effective, accountable policing.

techUK’s Life Sciences Working Group is pleased to share its 2026 priorities and work programme – a member driven plan shaped through nominations, consultation and a strategic planning session held at the end of 2025.

A new national centre to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by police forces has been announced, with technology taking a key role in police reform plans.

Ofcom has launched a new consultation exploring the impact that the adoption of artificial intelligence could have on the experience of telecoms customers. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in communications services, the consultation aims to understand how these technologies are being used today, the benefits they may offer to people and businesses, and the risks or challenges that could require regulatory attention. 

This piece explores discussions from Davos 2026 on building resilience through nature-based solutions and renewable energy, highlighting key themes and perspectives. It reflects on how these approaches can support long-term sustainability, resilience and economic transition.

Government and industry programme expands to provide 10 million workers with key AI skills by 2030. During London Tech Week 2025, UK government announced a new government-industry partnership to upskill and train 7.5 million UK workers in essential skills to use AI by 2030, equivalent to around 20% of the UK workforce.

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. 

The NHS has announced the next phase of its supply chain engagement, setting out plans to work more closely with suppliers on future priorities and delivery. The update outlines how engagement will support efficiency, resilience and long-term improvement across the supply chain.

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 workshops are open to techUK members working on the development, deployment, governance, and adoption of agentic AI. Each workshop will run as a 90 minute, in-person session hosted at techUK. Sessions will split thematically as follows:   

Read our summary of and reaction to the UK government's white paper and its ambitious agenda to redesign the water sector

The government have finally published an impact statement of the 10 Year Health Plan. It is fair to say that this falls short of an implementation plan, as there remains a lack of timelines and financial frameworks included to work from and measure impact.

techUK is delighted to announce the members of the Digital Twins Council for the January 2026 to January 2028 tenure.

On 21 January, the EU Commission published its much anticipated Digital Networks Act (DNA). The Act aims to update the EU’s network rules to further enable innovative technology like AI and Cloud

The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) has unveiled two new priority areas in its mission to identify and remove outdated rules which hold back technologies with the potential to drive UK growth and improve lives.