New official figures suggest that businesses in the UK’s ever-expanding tech sector are increasingly exporting their goods and services overseas – and boosting overall British export figures as a result.
According to data published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) in recent days, UK technology firms have managed to increase their levels of international trade by 21.8 per cent.
In 2016, such companies exported more than £39 billion worth of digital services, the latest figures reveal, up from £32 billion in 2015.
Meanwhile, during that same period, the sector has managed to increase exports of products such as computers, tablets and software by 7.3 per cent, with such exports worth £15 billion in 2016.
Elsewhere, the media has been keen to point out that the UK’s tech sector is now growing at a rate more than two-and-a-half times faster than the overall British economy.
Commenting on the DCMS’ new data, Digital Secretary Matt Hancock, said: “These new statistics show our tech sector is in demand from businesses and consumers around the globe, with exports up by a fifth.
“We are working hard to create the right environment for them to thrive and alongside the huge innovation of the private sector are determined to seize all the future opportunities technology will bring.”