Digital tech sector accounts for 20% of UK job vacancies1 min read

With the boom in the tech economy showing no signs of slowing, jobs in the digital sector now account for 20% of all vacancies in the UK.

In 2018 there were 1.7m digital tech job openings across the country, and technology is now a major employer in some of the UK’s biggest cities.

Research published by the government’s Digital Economy Council revealed that, while London remains a hub for the UK’s digital economy, the tech sector is beginning to spread into new areas.

In Cambridge – traditionally a leading location for the industry – half of the city’s working population is employed in the digital tech sector. In Reading, the sector employs a third of the workforce. Oxford, Belfast and Newcastle are not far behind, with more than 10% of the population employed in tech.

“We are one of the best places in the world to start and grow a tech business and this new data shows the success is bringing good jobs and helping spread prosperity across the country,” said digital secretary Jeremy Wright.

“We are determined to seize the future opportunities for technology to improve people’s lives by investing heavily to boost the nation’s digital skills.”

The report also highlighted the value of tech jobs, which offer salaries on average 10% higher than other industries. And, while tech-driven roles are at the heart of the boom, the rise of digital tech companies has also driven demand for staff with broader skills such as consulting, accountancy and public relations.