The government has announced a targeted package to raise female participation in the UK tech sector. Set out by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on 12 March 2026, the measures include a £4 million TechFirst Women’s Programme delivering at least 300 paid roles in SMEs, a returnship pilot for experienced software developers, an expanded girls’ competition, and a formal Call for Evidence led by the Women in Tech Taskforce. (gov.uk)
The TechFirst Women’s Programme will broker a minimum of 300 six‑month placements in local SMEs, alongside coaching and interview preparation. DSIT positions the scheme to widen progression routes for women and help smaller firms embed AI and digital tools in day‑to‑day operations. Application details will be published on GOV.UK ahead of launch later in 2026. (gov.uk)
A new returnship pilot will recruit skilled software developers who have been out of the workforce for 18 months or more into senior government technology roles. The Home Office and Ministry of Justice will run the trial, with applications expected in spring 2026. The initiative is framed as addressing the ‘CV gap’ that many returners face after caring or other breaks. (gov.uk)
To develop the pipeline earlier, DSIT and IBM will launch the TechFirst Girls Competition later in 2026. Thousands of 12‑ and 13‑year‑old girls will take on AI‑ and coding‑based challenges, following a year in which more than 10,000 students joined CyberFirst Girls. DSIT’s TechFirst guidance confirms a 2026 rollout for the new competition. (gov.uk)
The Women in Tech Taskforce has opened a Call for Evidence on the impact of emerging technologies, including AI, on women’s participation, progression and leadership. Submissions open at 10:00 on 12 March 2026 and close at 23:59 on 23 April 2026. Evidence received will shape the Taskforce’s work programme and inform future government action. (gov.uk)
DSIT situates the measures against persistent under‑representation and documented bias in digital systems. Government materials cite analysis that women leaving tech cost the economy an estimated £2 to £3.5 billion annually, alongside research showing AI hiring tools can prefer men’s names and diagnostic models can under‑detect disease in women. (gov.uk)
The Taskforce was launched in December 2025 to focus on getting more women entering, progressing, staying and leading in tech. Chaired by the Technology Secretary, it brings together senior industry figures and is expected to combine lived experience with data to develop practical interventions over the next year. (gov.uk)
Policy Wire analysis: For employers considering placements, preparation will likely include scoping six‑month projects with clear deliverables, identifying supervisors and mentors, and ensuring information‑security arrangements where AI tools are trialled. For candidates, paid SME roles and a structured returnship route into senior government posts provide clearer gateways back into mid‑ and senior‑level work.
The participation drive aligns with a firmer stance on online harms. Earlier this week, the Technology Secretary warned major platforms to go “above and beyond” to protect women and girls from abuse or face further action, linking workforce initiatives with enforcement under the Online Safety Act. (gov.uk)
Next steps are time‑bound. Responses to the Call for Evidence are due by 23 April 2026 at 23:59. Returnship applications are slated for spring 2026, while further details for the TechFirst Women’s Programme and the TechFirst Girls Competition will be published on GOV.UK later in the year. (gov.uk)