Budget 'to boost IT jobs'

15:10 28th April 2009

The government's plans to tackle the recession by focusing on the growth of the technology sector could help increase the availability of IT jobs across the UK.

Chancellor Alistair Darling announced in his Budget speech last week that money would be made available to businesses in the technology sector to help them through the tough economic climate, not only ensuring existing IT jobs but potentially creating new ones.

In his announcement, the chancellor promised the media, technology and music sectors access to a £2.5 billion pot of public money that has been set aside for investment in "the industries and high-paid high-skilled jobs of the future".

Mr Darling also reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving the UK's access to high-speed broadband services, in a move that is aimed at increasing the competitive ability of businesses across the country.

Such a development could help more businesses to make IT jobs available as the broadband scheme is rolled out.

Mr Darling's confirmation of the broadband initiative follows communications minister Lord Carter's pledge earlier this year to provide all UK homes and businesses with access to broadband speeds of at least two megabits per second.