Digital investment 'will create IT jobs'

13:10 30th April 2009

Government plans to invest billions of pounds in the development of a digital future for the UK will result in thousands of new IT jobs, new research has claimed.

Figures published by the London School of Economics (LSE) have suggested that the investment in upgrading broadband services across the country to provide homes and businesses with better access to high-speed internet services will result in up to 700,000 new employment opportunities, many of which will be in IT jobs.

"Our report shows that in this severe economic climate the right investment in ICT infrastructure would have a significant effect in creating jobs now and in stimulating productivity and innovation for the future," said Jonathan Liebenau, reader in technology management at LSE.

Ministers have set out plans to invest large sums of money to ensure the UK is hooked up to broadband technology, in a bid to ensure businesses throughout the country are capable of competing on an international scale.

The initiative was set out earlier this year by communications minister Lord Carter and has since been confirmed by chancellor Alistair Darling in his recent Budget speech.