The Government has announced a new push to support women in technology, working with industry through its Women in Tech Taskforce to develop two voluntary standards covering workplace culture and investment practices. The measures were announced as part of the Budget delivered on 28 October 2026, with details published by the Government on 29 October.

Two standards to change culture and funding

The announcement also includes a new scale-up programme for women, designed to help more women start, grow and scale technology businesses. Support will include workshops, peer learning and investor introductions.

Industry partners and next steps

Women make up just 22 per cent of the IT workforce, and only 2p of every £1 invested in UK venture capital goes to women-founded businesses. The Government said closing participation gaps could add up to £4 billion a year to UK GDP, while enabling women to found and grow businesses at the same rate as men could unlock £310 billion for the economy.

The first standard, called the Tech Forward Standard, is intended to improve workplace culture. It could include trusted routes for staff to report harassment. The Government's recent call for evidence found that 74 per cent of respondents believed a better workplace culture would support women's progression and leadership in tech.

The second, the Inclusive Investment Standard, aims to encourage fairer funding practices. It could include broader deal sourcing and tracking women-led firms from pitch to funding decision.

Industry ambassadors co-creating the standards include BT, Revolut, Sage, Balderton Capital and Octopus Ventures, and the scale-up programme is due in 2027. The standards are voluntary, and programme start dates are not yet published. The Budget speech also confirmed that the British Business Bank will double its commitments to women-led businesses and funds to £200 million.

Sources: GOV.UK and Rutherford Post.