Posted on September 10 2014
Over 150 UK tech startups and investors have backed a new "Startup Manifesto" that outlines how the next government should go about making Britain a world leader in digital innovation.
The manifesto, aimed at lobbying the main UK political parties to shape policy towards a tech-driven society, has been backed by some of the key players in the UK tech scene including: King, TransferWise, SwiftKey, Shazam, Funding Circle, Index Ventures, Balderton Capital, Passion Capital, Techstars London, Seedcamp and Accel Partners.
The 50-page document, published by the Coalition for a Digital Economy (known as Coadec), outlines how policymakers should ensure Britain is the number one tech hub in Europe.
Among the manifesto's 24 suggestions are investments in super fast broadband, tax cuts for entrepreneurs and relaxing visa rules to open the door to talent from outside the EU. The full list of recommendations can be found in the Manifesto here or below.
The manifesto calls on the next government to:
Several politicians have come out in support of the manifesto.
Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said: "We want to see more people starting up, leading and working in business and the creation of high-skilled, better-paid jobs. Britain's burgeoning digital economy has a huge role to play in meeting both of these challenges, and that's why Coadec's manifesto is right to emphasise the importance of digital startups as well as the need to foster digital skills."
Business minister Matthew Hancock said: "There's no doubt there is yet more to do and we will scour any proposals to make Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business."
Saul Klein, a partner at Index Ventures, said: "The Startup Manifesto is a timely reminder from the tech community to all the parties drafting their own election manifestos. It aims to ensure that as a country we continue to have some of the most entrepreneurial and tech friendly policies in the world, the types of policies that have lead to the introduction of the Government Digital Service (GDS), the Open Data initiative and bringing coding to schools. As a country we're ahead of most other nations, but we can't stand still."
Techstars London MD Jon Bradford said: "Over the last four years, the government has done a huge amount to nurture the startup ecosystem... But now is an important juncture: if we are to continue on this path of growth, we need to consolidate the accomplishments to date."
Manifesto Recommendations
Improve access to finance
1. Commit to keeping SEIS and EIS tax reliefs for the next Parliament
2. Bring back tax reliefs for Corporate Venture Capital
3. Remove the cap on Entrepreneurs' Relief and lower the equity threshold
Improve access to talent
4. Restore post-study work visas for STEM graduates
5. Make it easier for startups to hire from overseas
6. Reform the Graduate Entrepreneur Visa
7. Open up the Entrepreneur Visa to those with funding from angel investors and crowdfunding platforms
8. Review and streamline visa processes with the support of the Government Digital Service
9. Invest to help teachers deliver the new computing curriculum
10. Create incentives for individuals and startups to help train teachers and students
11. Promote free tools including Moocs, Codecademy, and third sector initiatives like code clubs
Build world class digital infrastructure and increase supply of affordable office space
12. Continue to invest in superfast connectivity and raise the level of ambition for digital infrastructure
13. Review the planning system and property regulations to increase the supply of affordable office space for startups
Bring laws and regulations into the 21st Century
14. Make it government policy to support disruptive innovation and create an environment where people and businesses can adapt
15. Encourage permissionless innovation
16. Commit more resources to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
17. Create a framework for data protection that gives confidence to consumers and does not stifle innovation
18. Continue to support fintech innovation
19. Review regulations surrounding collaborative consumption and the 'sharing economy'
Use digital government to unlock innovation
20. Make it easier for startups to sell to government
21. Commit to keep and expand the Government Digital Service
22. Create standards for secure online identity assurance
23. Accelerate progress towards 'Government as a Platform', including releasing APIs for government services
24. Go further on open data, including real-time performance dashboards for all government services
Full list of endorsements
Startup founders and CEOs backing the manifesto
VCs, incubators and other supporters
Sam Shead
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