Labour to take on rich tech bros as top minister vows to champion women in sector

Labour to take on rich tech bros as top minister vows to champion women in sector Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said people see tech benefitting 'a few very, very powerful, wealthy individuals' as Silicon Valley tech bros continue to prosper Liz Kendall has vowed to break down barriers for women in technology as she takes on the “male-dominated world ” of the sector. The Technology Secretary said people see tech benefitting “a few very, very powerful, wealthy individuals” as Silicon Valley tech bros continue to prosper. Women in the digital economy could see gains worth around £7,000 a year on average from reduced barriers, a major independent report will show on Monday. These gains can reflect higher pay, but they also incorporate non-pay factors such as working conditions, flexibility, culture, or non-pay benefits. The report, produced by Alma Economics, will also show the UK’s economy could see an estimated GDP increase of up to £4billion if barriers to women working in the digital economy were removed. More than 500 people and organisations responded to the government's recent call for evidence on women's experiences in tech, The Mirror has also been told. Sources said "too many people" spoke of experiences of misconduct, harassment and discrimination in the sector. Ms Kendall told The Mirror: “What people see is a few very, very powerful, wealthy individuals benefiting from tech and we believe tech should be there for all. It should have opportunities for all.” She added: “When I came into this job, I very much saw how it can be a very male-dominated world and yet I know loads of brilliant women with brilliant ideas in tech and I just wanted to work with women to break those barriers down.” Ms Kendall has already began to announce measures to champion women in the industry, including the unveiling of a new charter that delivers paid family leave, flexible working for women in research last week. Female PhD researchers’ careers have long been held back by barriers like no paid maternity leave. And in December, she launched the women in tech taskforce to drive the number of women and girls choosing tech as a career through her women in tech taskforce. The taskforce advises the government on how to better support diversity in tech, including identifying and dismantling barriers to education, training, and career progression. More than 50 research organisations have already signed up to the new charter, including the Academy of Medical Sciences, British Academy, King's College London and Edinburgh University, Ms Kendall hopes other research institutions feel pressured to sign up too. “I hope it puts pressure on more organisations to sign because you shouldn't have to give up doing your PhD because you're having a baby, because then how are you going to get more women as professors or leading institutions just because they've had a baby and gone away,” she said. The Government is also doubling the number of Daphne Jackson Fellows, which supports those looking to return to a research career after a break of two or more years for family, health or caring reasons. Kathy Kotiadis, an ex-Daphne Jackson fellow who is an operations professor at Kent Business School, took a career break of 10 years to support her son's health needs. She said the fellowship helped "level the playing field" as she faced "a lot of bias and discrimination" in trying to re-enter the sector. She said: “This problem is a systemic problem and there are a lot of other women that face these challenges, and they may face them because they have their own health needs, or in my case, my son had health needs. "Sometimes there are parental responsibilities or people are taking care of elderly parents. So, the reason that women take a career break, the reasons are mixed, and they're all valid. We should support our talent and not allow these highly skilled women to disappear because of these discriminations and bias." The Technology, Science and Innovation Secretary - who could lose her job depending on who PM-in-waiting Andy Burnham selects for his Cabinet - is shoring up her legacy on women in tech. Asked if she hopes to stay in the role under a Burnham premiership, Ms Kendall said: “I love this area because Britain is absolutely amazing at science and tech. It makes me proud to be British and it makes me proud to be part of a government that is backing them, but I will always fight for a better future for people in whatever shape or form that will be.”