The UK had more ‘unicorn’ billion-dollar tech startups in 2024 than Germany, France and Sweden combined. The tech sector as a whole in the UK is over $1 trillion in valuation, attracting high-skilled jobs and investment to the UK.

According to the OECD, as of 2019 the UK spent the highest proportion of its GDP on R&D tax reliefs out of the G7. The UK spent 0.3 per cent of its GDP on tax reliefs for R&D industries. The next closest in terms of percentage of GDP spent on R&D tax incentives was France, at 0.29 per cent, while Canada spent 0.14 per cent, the USA spent 0.12 per cent and Japan spent 0.10 per cent.

Reached 80 per cent gigabit connectivity helping to grow the economy and make life easier for families and businesses thanks to £5 billion Government investment into broadband. 80 per cent of the country had access to high-speed internet connectivity in 2024 – this improved streaming services for households and boosted productivity for businesses.

Committed to working with global partners through Horizon, ensuring British businesses could apply for grants to boost jobs, growth and scientific breakthroughs for a brighter future for all. The Conservatives ensured groups who had not previously heavily engaged in the Horizon research programme, such as SMEs, would be encouraged to join the scheme. Horizon includes our European partners as well as countries such as Canada, Israel and New Zealand and is worth around £80 billion in total, with the average Horizon grant worth £450,000 to a UK business or researcher.

Introduced the landmark Online Safety Act to better protect people, including children, whilst also ensuring free speech is protected. The Conservatives delivered the most powerful child protection laws in a generation, while ensuring adults were better empowered to take control of their online lives, while protecting mental health.