According to officials, the taskforce will work to identify and tackle the systemic barriers that prevent women from pursuing careers in tech, including biases in hiring practices, lack of role models, and inadequate training opportunities. The taskforce will also explore ways to improve the representation of women in tech leadership positions and to increase access to education and training programs for women in the sector.

Dr. Rachel Morgan-Trimmer, a leading expert on women in tech, welcomed the announcement, saying, "This taskforce is a crucial step towards creating a more inclusive and diverse tech industry. We need to address the systemic barriers that prevent women from entering and succeeding in tech careers, and this taskforce is a great opportunity to do just that." Dr. Morgan-Trimmer noted that the underrepresentation of women in tech is not only a UK issue but a global one, with women making up only 17% of the global tech workforce.

The taskforce will be led by a team of experts, including representatives from industry, academia, and government. The team will work closely with stakeholders, including women's organizations and industry leaders, to identify solutions to the barriers facing women in tech. The taskforce will also engage with women in tech to gather their perspectives and experiences, with the goal of creating a more inclusive and diverse industry.

The UK's efforts to increase diversity and inclusion in tech come as part of a broader global movement to address the underrepresentation of women in the sector. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, women make up only 17% of the global tech workforce, and the number of women in tech leadership positions is even lower. The report noted that addressing the underrepresentation of women in tech is critical to driving innovation and economic growth.

The taskforce is expected to release its findings and recommendations in the coming months, with the goal of implementing changes to increase diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. The UK government has committed to working with industry leaders and stakeholders to implement the taskforce's recommendations and to create a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.

In a statement, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said, "We are committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse tech industry, and this taskforce is a crucial step towards achieving that goal. We look forward to working with the taskforce and with women in tech to create a more equitable and inclusive industry."