A significant UK development in 2026 is the government’s new package of measures aimed at increasing female participation in the tech sector. Announced on 12 March 2026, the initiative includes:
- 300 paid tech placements for women across UK SMEs, backed by a £4 million TechFirst Women’s Programme.
- A national “TechFirst Girls” competition giving thousands of 12–13‑year‑old girls hands‑on exposure to future tech careers.
- A new returnship pilot helping skilled women — especially those who took career breaks for caring responsibilities — re‑enter senior software development roles in government.
- A Women in Tech Taskforce Call for Evidence, shaping long‑term policy to strengthen gender diversity in the sector.
The government highlighted that women remain significantly underrepresented in UK tech, and that the economy loses an estimated £2–3.5 billion annually due to women leaving the sector. These new measures aim to remove barriers, widen access, and support women at every career stage.