08 Sep 2026

Report: Confident Sovereignty - techUK’s framework for sovereignty to support growth, security and resilience

Digital sovereignty is no longer a hypothetical policy debate. Governments in Washington, Brussels and Beijing are already using it to justify export controls, procurement rules and industrial subsidies, and those choices are reshaping the markets UK technology firms compete in. The framework this report sets out is not an abstract principle. It is a practical test that government can apply to real interventions, starting now. 

Digital technology is the UK's primary growth sector, adding over £100 billion in GVA a year and employing 1.7 million people. It is the country's most significant export engine and the foundation every other industrial strategy sector depends on.

Confident Sovereignty front cover.jpg

Log in to download the report.

Login or register to access this content

This content is available to everyone. Log in or sign up for free to continue reading

Login or register here


The UK has the third-largest tech ecosystem in the world by valuation, the deepest tech labour market in Europe, and in 2026 alone has raised roughly as much venture capital as the rest of Europe combined. The question is no longer whether government should intervene in technology markets. It is how to do so without weakening the firms the UK relies on for growth. 

In this position paper, techUK sets out Confident Sovereignty, a framework for building UK strategic capability while remaining one of the world's most open and connected technology economies. It defines sovereignty as the ability to make consequential choices in the digital domain because the UK holds capability that others depend on and buy, tested through three principles: invest where the UK leads, buy better everywhere on terms we can exit, and shape the rules we trade under. It sets out a strategic opportunity and competitiveness filter that any intervention must pass, a five-part analytical method, and a vocabulary of Own, Collaborate and Access for expressing the result. 

The UK enters this debate from a position of real strength, with capability and leverage it has already built. This report sets out five actions for government to build on that position: 

  • Building state technical capability and leadership. Widening responsibility for cross-government coordination into, or placing it under, the AI Taskforce in the Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, so trade, security, industrial and digital strategy move together. 
  • Investing at scale. Committing where the UK already leads, and wherever a baseline capability is needed to prevent coercion. 
  • Securing continuity of advanced AI capability. Protecting the compute and connectivity that advanced AI depends on. 
  • Securing trusted-partner access. Negotiating predictable access to the most capable models, with UK firms recognised as trusted suppliers into allied markets in return. 
  • Setting the definition. Establishing a domestic definition of digital sovereignty built on control, and taking it abroad before others write it for us. 

We look forward to continuing to work with our members, stakeholders and Government in order to both deepen this framework and operationalise it in vertical sectors.  


techUK's Policy and Public Affairs Programme activities

techUK helps our members understand, engage and influence the development of digital and tech policy in the UK and beyond. We support our members to understand some of the most complex and thorny policy questions that confront our sector. Visit the programme page here.

 

Upcoming events

Latest news and insights 

Learn more and get involved

 

Policy Pulse Newsletter

Sign-up to get the latest tech policy news and how you can get involved in techUK's policy work.

 

 

Here are the five reasons to join the Policy and Public Affairs programme

Download

Join techUK groups

techUK members can get involved in our work by joining our groups, and stay up to date with the latest meetings and opportunities in the programme.

Learn more

Become a techUK member

Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.

Learn more

 

Meet the team 

Antony Walker

Antony Walker

Deputy CEO, techUK

Nimmi Patel

Nimmi Patel

Associate Director - Skills & Talent Policy, techUK

Doniya Soni-Clark

Doniya Soni-Clark

Associate Director of External Affairs, techUK

Tom McGee

Tom McGee

Associate Director, Digital Economy, techUK

Dan Johnston

Dan Johnston

Head - Public Affairs, techUK

Edward Emerson

Edward Emerson

Head of Digital Economy, techUK

Samiah Anderson

Samiah Anderson

Head of Digital Regulation, techUK

Matt Robinson

Matt Robinson

Head of Nations and Regions, techUK

Jake Wall

Jake Wall

Policy Manager, Skills and Future of Work, techUK

Daniella Bennett Remington

Daniella Bennett Remington

Policy Manager - Data and AI, techUK

Luke Newcombe

Luke Newcombe

Programme Manager – Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK

Stephanie Barr

Stephanie Barr

Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK

Oliver Alderson

Oliver Alderson

Public Affairs Manager, techUK

Tess Newton

Junior Policy Manager, techUK