The UK must introduce more tax incentives for start-ups and invest in digital infrastructure if it is to remain competitive, the boss of North East software firm Sage has said..
Sage CEO Steve Hare said that while London has traditionally been seen as Europe's tech hub, there are concerns that it is losing ground to countries such as France. In a piece posted on Mr Hare's LinkedIn channel, he pointed to the "rapidly evolving global tech landscape" and suggests the UK should create a "single digital identity" that would allow streamlined access to public services and the private sector, doing away with the need for multiple passwords and reducing administration.
The idea has been successfully implemented in Estonia, where a state-issued digital identity system has been running for 20 years. Estonians can use their 'eID' to pay bills, vote online, sign contracts, shop, and access their health information, among other things.
