“A new report by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, using new data from real-time business tracker Growth Intelligence, draws a map of jobs and growth across the whole of the UK. The detailed report, commissioned by Google, also reveals just how far traditional sectors, such as manufacturing, architecture and engineering, have embraced digital technology. The report shows:

●      there are at least 270,000 companies that form the digital economy – far more than any Government estimate

●      the revenue reported by digital companies is growing 25 per cent faster than that reported by non-digital companies

●      on average digital employers hire three more people – 15 per cent more – than those employers who are not digital

●      how companies in traditional sectors, from architecture to manufacturing, are using and relying on technology to run their businesses: digital technology is no longer the sole preserve of start-ups and software companies

●      the areas with the highest concentration of digital companies are outside London and spread right across the country, in places like Aberdeen, Middlesbrough and Manchester.”