To lead the digital revolution, London must ensure that no one is left behind

This week, I will be meeting leading businesses, charities, educators, innovators and investors at a Digital Skills Summit at the Mansion House to look at how emerging technologies are transforming the way we live, work, and communicate with each other.

Building on my mayoral programme – Shaping Tomorrow’s City Today – the summit will consider how we can work together to keep the UK at the forefront of the global digital revolution.

We will identify new ways to change how we live and how businesses operate across the globe. I hope that we will agree to work more closely to promote innovation and technology, champion digital skills, and address digital and social inclusion: the key ambitions of my mayoral programme.

We are bringing together leaders from across the private, not-for-profit, and public sectors – including tech firms, fintech investors, educators, and public policymakers.

We aim to ensure that the City can attract and develop digital talent, raise educational attainment in digital skills, and prepare young people for the jobs of the future.

The world of work is changing rapidly, and the pace of change will continue to increase.

Only 20 per cent of business leaders think that school-leavers and graduates are adequately equipped with the digital know-how required in the workplace. Yet 22 per cent of expected global job growth by 2020 will be in digital positions.

The digital economy is growing 50 per cent faster than the wider economy. So my focus – through Brexit and beyond – is to maintain London’s role as a world leading financial centre, ensuring that we remain open for business, not only from the EU but also globally.

People and businesses across the UK need to be able to take advantage of new technologies, improve their prospects, reach their full economic potential, and drive growth.

We are working hard to enable individuals and businesses to take advantage of this new digital revolution and ensure that no one is left behind.

At the summit, discussions will take place around widening social mobility and creating opportunities for everyone in society.

We are driving home the message that our fast-changing society and access to new technology must be open to all: the elderly, poor, and disabled, many of whom are at risk of being left behind as the digital landscape evolves.

This is a message we are taking around the UK and the world. Last week, I visited Cardiff and Bristol, where I spoke with several exciting tech firms leading the UK’s digital revolution. They, like me, recognise that we are at a crucial moment.

Working together, we will realise our digital vision on innovation, enabling us to respond to new opportunities, contribute to a flourishing society, and support a thriving UK economy.