'Enabling a Digital Scotland' - ScotlandIS launches policy manifesto
Scotland could add £12bn to its economy, create 20,000 additional high value jobs and create 1,000 new businesses over the next five years by embracing digital technologies according to , “Enabling a Digital Scotland” a report published today by ScotlandIS, the trade body for Scotland’s ICT industry.
Launching the report David Cairns, Chair of ScotlandIS, said: “At a time when economic hopes are pinned on private sector expansion and export-led recovery to counterbalance the reduction in public sector spending and employment, Scotland’s ICT industry holds the key to drive growth, improve productivity and generate export income. But if we carry on as we are, we will be left in the dark ages."
“Our vision is for Scotland to rank amongst the best of global economies, where the majority of citizens are skilled in using digital technologies, where public and private sector organisations fuel growth and improve productivity by understanding and exploiting technology. As well as helping to combat social and geographic exclusion, we would create a digitally skilled nation which would add billions of pounds to our economy every year.”
“To achieve this vision urgent action is required. Many other comparable countries are leapfrogging us. Indeed other parts of the UK have jumped ahead of Scotland. In turn these tech savvy countries are enjoying greater economic benefits, including productivity gains, improved competitiveness and a greater ability to export. This is very worrying for Scotland’s economy. Delivering the required strategies to protect and grow our economy needs a major drive by both the public and private sectors and we are calling for action now.”
Scotland-wide strategy for ICT
According to the report, the Scottish economy could also benefit from an additional £5bn in productivity improvements through smarter use of digital technologies. This is of particular relevance given the recent public sector spending cuts.
In its earlier findings, the ICT Forum for Scotland proposed the Scottish Government should lead a partnership of stakeholders to create a culture change, such that Scotland’s citizens, businesses and public sector organisations see smart exploitation of ICT as being a critical enabler of economic success and a valuable mechanism for improving their lives. The appointment of a Digital Champion to drive through a major programme of change across all areas of Scotland, will enable concerted action.
The ICT sector in Scotland contributes 5% of GVA, creates high skilled jobs and generates significant export earnings. However compared with other countries, the speed of growth is sub-optimal and more needs to be done to accelerate this important sector, according to ScotlandIS.
Recommendations to support this include a more supportive tax regime for businesses and world class connectivity. The benefits of implementing these recommendations include 20,000 additional jobs and a doubling of export income to £3bn.
Donald MacRae, Chief Economist at Bank of Scotland commented:
“Scotland needs to be connected for growth. We need a modern digital communications infrastructure available to all our communities as much as we need schools, roads and airports. We cannot change our geographical location on the edges of Europe but we can ensure we are at the heart of a global digital communications network. Competing successfully in the economy of the future means having access to the tools and the infrastructure of tomorrow. ICT is crucial to securing Scotland’s share of the post-recession economy.”
Download 'Enabling the Digital Economy' here.