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Technology: Women

Asked by Adam JogeeLabourDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 28 May 2026UIN 3031

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to help women from a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire access high-quality jobs in the tech sector.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

We established the Women in Tech Taskforce to identify and address the barriers preventing women from entering, staying in, and progressing in tech.

This is a matter of principle; it makes economic sense and is essential to ensure the tech and services of tomorrow work for all.

Informed by evidence, its work and recommendations will support more women in all parts of the UK to access high quality jobs in the tech sector.

Alongside this, the £187 million TechFirst programme is supporting thousands of people into tech careers, with a specific focus on increasing opportunities for women across the country. This includes the TechFirst Women's Programme, which will support 300 women into tech jobs across the country, regional funding connecting people to local tech jobs, and targeted competitions and scholarship opportunities to encourage more women and girls into the sector.

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