Chuka Umunna MP, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary, commenting on the report of independent UK Digital Skills Taskforce published today, said:

“Too many people in Britain today are locked out of the growing opportunities offered by the digital economy because of a lack of digital skills. The report of the independent Digital Skills Taskforce makes an important contribution and shines a much-needed spotlight on the digital skills gap and the need to give everyone – and particularly those entering the labour market – the tools they need to thrive and succeed.

“To create more of the high-skilled, better-paid jobs we need, develop Britain’s knowledge economy and ensure a pipeline of skilled employees for business, it is essential that we meet the challenge this report sets out.”

Maggie Philbin, Chair of the independent UK Digital Skills Taskforce said:

“Britain is in the midst of another industrial revolution and only by engendering the spirit that allowed us to thrive so well in the first will we succeed in the second. For this to happen we need our young people to see technology and related applied sciences as a future that they can help create. If you have the right skills, if you have the right network, if you have the right attitude, this is a time of opportunity. We have to make sure we equip everyone in the UK for the digital revolution. Not just a fortunate few.”

Editor’s Notes:

1. The report of the independent UK Digital Skills Taskforce, Digital Skills for Tomorrow’s World, is online here: http://www.ukdigitalskills.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Binder7-REDUCED2.pdf

2. The Taskforce was commissioned by Ed Miliband in November 2013: http://press.labour.org.uk/post/66726677755/ed-miliband-mp-will-today-warn-that-britains-digital