Kendall fights Reform with scheme for diversity in tech

Labour is taking the fight to Trumpian critics of diversity and equality, with the technology secretary vowing to “smash the glass ceilings” holding women and people of colour in the tech industry back.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

With Reform UK threatening to sack diversity officers in councils across the country, Liz Kendall is taking the fight to Nigel Farage and ramping up the government's efforts to boost representation.

On current trends, it would take 283 years for women to make up an equal share of the tech workforce, according to the BCS Chartered Institute for IT.

Meanwhile 92 per cent of start-up investment from wealthy individuals went to all-white teams, according to the British Business Bank Investing in Ethnic Minority Entrepreneurs.

The government believes the British economy would receive a £250bn boost if women started and scaled companies at the same rate as men.

Ms Kendall today will say “a more inclusive economy is better for people and better for growth”.