It is essential that the government focuses on expanding the technology industry and creating jobs for IT contractors, a leading IT skills organisation has claimed.

The Conservative Party released its technology manifesto last week, proposing to give Britain the fastest high-speed broadband network in Europe and creating 600,000 additional jobs in the industry.

Reacting to the news, Karen Price, chief executive of e-skills UK, the government-licensed sector skills council for business and IT technology, welcomed any recognition of the "immense strategic importance" of the industry.

"Technology holds the key to innovation, global competitiveness and improved public services, and the technology sector delivers disproportionate direct employment growth and GVA contribution," Ms Price said.

Conservative plans are designed to ensure that "the next generation of Googles, Microsofts and Facebooks are British."

Ms Price added that the IT sector requires 110,000 new workers every year, and as such is the "key to creating sustainable economic growth".