UK government unveils new Scale-up programme to drive tech talent post-Brexit

In a bid to combat the shortage of tech talent from the UK’s departure from the EU, Westminister has launched a new Scale-up programme.

The Scale-up visa will allow “high skilled” individuals to remain in the UK for two years without the need for further sponsorship or permission beyond the first six months.

According to the Home Office, businesses can be rest assured that they will see greater flexibility when recruiting talent they need to go to the “next level”, which it added is often in high demand.

“Rapidly growing businesses, like small enterprises, tech and financial services, need the right level of support to go to the next level.

“Through our Scale-up visa, we’re enabling businesses to focus on their growth and innovation by giving them more freedom to bring in the diverse skills and experience they need, making them more attractive on an international stage,” said the minister for Safe and Legal Migration, Kevin Foster.

Scaling up has been flagged as a must for the sake of international competitiveness. The Home Office said plainly that if businesses have the ability to source “sought-after” expertise and skills, their innovation and productivity will climb.

“Scaleups add over £1 trillion a year and more than three million jobs to the UK economy… as they drive growth into their local areas and beyond,” assured Irene Graham OBE, CEO of the ScaleUp Institute.

Those eligible for the programme include small businesses and firms in the tech and financial services sectors that have achieved growth of 20% or more in either employment or turnover year-on-year for at least three years.

“We look forward to continuing to work with the government as this service evolves to ensure it fully addresses scaling business needs and works effectively,” concluded Graham.

Scaling up business to attract much needed talent has not been the only scale-up the UK government has launched this year. In February, it called on enterprises to match-fund £23 million to boost AI scholarships, aimed at supporting people from underrepresented backgrounds.

The government also announced its digital strategy this summer showing its support for the sector. The then chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak who announced the strategy alongside digital minister Nadine Dorries, said the new measures he unveiled would make the market “fit for the future”.