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<p>As outlined in our Digital Strategy, the Government’s ambition is to ensure the
UK is the best place in the world to start and grow a digital business.</p><p>To support
access to finance, the Government has introduced a new £2.5 billion British Patient
Capital programme, which is expected to attract a further £5 billion in private investment.
This will support UK companies with high growth potential to access the long-term
investment they need to grow and internationalise.</p><p>To continue to attract international
talent, the Government has: doubled the number of Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visas
to 2,000; taken doctors and nurses out of the Tier 2 visa cap, increasing the number
of skilled worker visas available to other sectors, including tech; and launched the
new Start-Up and Innovator visa routes for entrepreneurs. In addition, the Government
has committed to introducing a new 2 year visa route for individuals who graduate
from UK higher education providers.</p><p>The Government continues to fund Tech Nation,
supporting their work to accelerate the growth of the digital tech sector across the
country. Tech Nation deliver growth programmes for the sector aimed at stages across
the business lifecycle, with programme alumni including Monzo, Deliveroo and Funding
Circle. In the past year, Tech Nation have started sector-specific growth programmes
in AI and Cyber, in addition to their FinTech programme. In 2019, Tech Nation's growth
programmes supported 649 tech companies. Tech Nation have a regional network of 11
Entrepreneur Engagement Managers (EEMs) working across the UK to support entrepreneurs,
startups and scaleups to access their programmes and networks.</p><p>Finally, at London
Tech Week 2019, the PM launched a study into the competitiveness of the UK Tech Sector.
Reporting later this year, the study will identify key opportunities and support mechanisms
to further accelerate business growth in the digital tech sector.</p>
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