Committee publication · Correspondence · 15 July 2026
Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology re Women in Tech Taskforce, dated 6 July 2026
Summary
Secretary of State Liz Kendall writes to inform the Women and Equalities Committee of two reports published on women in tech: one quantifying the economic impact of removing barriers in the digital economy (£16 billion annual boost estimated), and a second summarizing findings from the Women in Tech Taskforce Call for Evidence. The letter outlines evidence of persistent barriers, workplace culture issues, and harassment faced by women in the sector, positioning the Taskforce's practical interventions as essential to unlocking growth and talent.
Key findings
- 40,000–60,000 women leave the tech sector annually due to non-skills-related barriers, costing the economy £2–3.5 billion per year.
- Removing barriers to under-represented groups in the digital economy could generate an estimated £16 billion annual boost, with wider economic gains of £4 billion per year and per-person gains of £7,000/year for women, £4,000 for Black workers, and £6,000 for workers with disabilities.
- 95% of Call for Evidence respondents (vast majority women) report that emerging technologies are changing skills needs; 73% report these changes are already affecting access to opportunity in tech roles.
- 74% of respondents agree that improving team and organisational culture would support women's entry, progression, and leadership in tech; respondents reported misconduct, harassment, and discrimination in the sector.
- Women in Tech Taskforce is developing practical interventions to improve culture, strengthen accountability, and increase women's participation and leadership.
Tone
FactualTopics
Key actors
Liz Kendall MP, Sarah Owen MP, Women and Equalities Committee, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Women in Tech Taskforce, Alma Economics
Notable line
“If women don't work for tech, tech won't work for women. Talent exists everywhere, and opportunity should too.”
Key Quotes
“If women don't work for tech, tech won't work for women. Talent exists everywhere, and opportunity should too.”
“We know from other research that 40-60k women leave the tech sector every year and change jobs due to barriers that should not exist which costs the economy £2-3.5 billion a year.”
“Addressing barriers in the digital economy could generate an estimated £16 billion annual boost.”
“Just as importantly, women shared first hand experiences of misconduct, harassment and discrimination in the sector. These testimonies were not easy to share, and they reinforce the case for change.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗