Govt calls ex-pat IT professionals back to Blighty

The UK government wants British IT professionals working in the US to pack their bags and come home to Blighty to help fuel the Internet revolution. Speaking at the UK Software Partner & Investment Forum today, e-commerce minister Patricia Hewitt said she would use a visit to the US next month to try and woo back British ex-pats. "Britain is becoming the most exciting place for emerging technologies," she said. Though some might consider it to be somewhat less than exciting when it comes to salaries, decent Silicon Valley weather and as much Kool Aid as you could possible want. Asked whether simply appealing to people to come home was enough, especially when many left Britain in the first place because of high taxes in this country, Hewitt said: "You'll have to watch the budget and see what the Chancellor says." Nod, nod, wink, wink... ®