The leader of Scottish digital services company brightsolid has criticised the absence of technology from George Osborne’s summer Budget.
Richard Higgs, chief executive of the private cloud provider based at Dundee Technology Park, said there was also no reference to digital infrastructure.
He claimed: “While the Chancellor’s fuller policy paper gives a nod to digital with investment in Next Generation Digital Economy Centres, without the right infrastructure in place the benefit will be limited.”
He congratulated the cities that have gained centres for the next generation digital economy.
But he wished the Government would make a similar commitment to connectivity for the whole of the UK, which would enable significant productivity gains for every region.
“It’s embarrassing that the city of Stockholm has more connectivity than the whole of Scotland put together,” he said.
He supported the new living wage, the clampdown on aggressive tax avoidance and the introduction of more skills apprenticeships.
For many years brightsolid has employed a social responsibility programme, including apprenticeships, and it has produced significant positive impacts.
“We are proud of our digital and gaming heritage here in Dundee and believe that university isn’t for everyone,” he continued.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to enter our industry to grow our already recognised digital economy in Scotland.”