Philip Salter, of The Entrepreneur’s Network, examines some of the biggest policy shifts of 2016 that will impact the UK tech community.
The biggest shock to UK policy makers and politicians of 2016 was the decision of 17,410,742 people – 51.89% of those that voted – to leave the European Union. While the government managed in 2016 to get away without explaining precisely (or even vaguely) what Brexit actually means, 2017 will be the year of the big reveal.
Whether they voted to stay or go, most entrepreneurs will want to maintain the freest possible movement of people, goods and capital with our trading partners across the Channel. Conservative vice-chair Mark Field MP’s aide got it about right on the government’s aspirations: “Have cake and eat it” (part of her handwritten note, which was photographed following a meeting headed by David Davis MP, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union)....