The UK government’s Spring Statement drew a cautiously positive response from parts of the technology and cybersecurity sectors. They welcomed the focus on stability but warned that long-term growth depends on real progress in AI skills and cyber resilience.

Industry figures said stability is what businesses want. They also stressed that policy must now translate into workforce training and stronger security standards if the UK is to sustain growth in a fragile global environment.

AI and growth

Greg Hanson, Group Vice President and Head of EMEA North at Informatica from Salesforce, said the UK’s growth ambitions depend on clearer plans for deploying AI at scale. He highlighted a widening gap between interest in AI and the skills organisations need.

“The Spring Statement focus on growth and stability isn’t ‘boring’. It is exactly what the economy and businesses need right now. But to drive a growth agenda, we need more clarity on how AI will be deployed at scale across the UK.

AI has the potential to improve public service efficiency and strengthen private sector performance. But scaling this across the economy requires more than intent. Nearly all (95%) UK organisations say staff require training to use AI responsibly.* Without the workforce capability to deploy and challenge AI effectively, the productivity dividend it promises will remain difficult to secure.

The government has already recognised the importance of AI training through its commitment to expand practical AI skills to millions of workers. The challenge now is execution. AI adoption must be matched by AI readiness across the economy. Get that right, and AI becomes a genuine driver of sustained UK growth. Get it wrong, and its economic contribution will fall short of its potential,” said Hanson.

Data and AI specialists also warn that investment in digital infrastructure and software does not automatically deliver productivity gains. Organisations need large numbers of staff who can use AI tools, understand data quality issues, and challenge automated outputs.

The Informatica 2026 CDO Study, cited by Hanson, suggests almost all UK organisations see a training need around responsible AI use. That increases pressure on both government programmes and corporate training budgets as AI systems move beyond pilots and into core operations.

Skills execution

Hanson said the government’s focus on AI skills points in the right direction, but argued that implementation will determine whether AI contributes meaningfully to growth. He warned that headline commitments may not reach the broader workforce quickly enough.

“AI adoption must be matched by AI readiness across the economy. Get that right, and AI becomes a genuine driver of sustained UK growth. Get it wrong, and its economic contribution will fall short of its potential,” said Hanson.

Business groups and education providers are likely to scrutinise how new funding is allocated and whether support reaches smaller employers. Many lack internal training functions but account for a large share of UK employment.

Cyber risks

Alongside AI, security specialists warned that the economic outlook remains vulnerable to cyber threats that can halt operations across key sectors. The UK has seen a series of high-profile cyber incidents at retailers and manufacturers, disrupting services and raising questions about resilience.

Michael Vallas, Global Technical Principal at NATO-backed cyber firm Goldilock Secure, said the macroeconomic environment leaves little capacity for further shocks, and that a serious cyber attack could undermine gains policymakers are trying to secure.

“Today’s Spring Statement reflects a government determined to project stability, and there are genuine reasons for cautious optimism.

But the global backdrop is fraught. Geopolitical tensions are already weighing on growth forecasts, leaving the UK economy with little room to absorb additional shocks. Recent attacks on major UK retailers and manufacturers have shown how quickly a significant cyber attack can deliver exactly that-eroding the progress the Chancellor is working to protect.

As the government looks to sustain that momentum, cyber protection must be built into its growth strategy. That means the forthcoming Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill must deliver material guidance and enforceable resilience standards across organisations, industries, public services and critical national infrastructure,” said Vallas.

Resilience standards

Vallas linked the Spring Statement’s stability narrative to the planned Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill, arguing it should set clear expectations for cyber preparedness in both private companies and public services.

Security professionals also warn that attacks on supply chains, digital infrastructure and operational technology could have wider economic effects. Critical national infrastructure operators, major retailers, manufacturers and service providers face rising regulatory scrutiny as policymakers map dependencies across the economy.

Hanson and Vallas focused on different parts of the policy agenda, but both argued that delivery will be the key test of whether the government’s growth plans can withstand external pressures and technological change.