Intellect, the UK hi-tech trade association ,today gave the Government a slap on the wrist for failing to develop a coherent strategy supporting its stated objective of turning Britain into a knowledge-driven economy.

The Government must develop a policy framework across Whitehall departments that is driven by No.10 and Treasury, if it is to put Britain's digital house in order, according to Intellect.

Only such a pan-Government policy framework can help Britain realise its full potential as a knowledge economy, Intellect said.

Giving evidence to the Trade and Industry Select Committee inquiry 'Progress Towards a Knowledge Driven Economy', Intellect director general, John Higgins, argued that technology underpins the tools and processes across all industries and government needed to support a knowledge economy.

"The benefits of technology however, will not be achieved unless it is implemented with the necessary skills and understanding of change management processes," Higgins said.

"Education of policy makers on how to best utilise technology to reach knowledge driven economy aims is essential and regulatory impact assessment must be improved to ensure that technology can be fully exploited to the benefit of UK plc." ®