Desperate to prove that Theresa May’s Brexit deal is not the lame duck that the pundits claim, DCMS Secretary of State Jeremy Wright has claimed it will “provide the UK’s booming £130 billion digital sector with the certainty it needs to continue to thrive”.

The digital and tech industries employ more than 2.1 million people across the UK, and Wright says that the continuation of free-flowing data is vital to “both our economy and security”. The government estimates that three-quarters of the UK’s service exports to the EU rely on data flows, so it is “absolutely essential they continue unhindered post Brexit”.

Many companies are now dependent on services such as cloud computing to power their services while others use data to programme and test new technology to solve problems we will face in the future – from an ageing society to curing disease.

“With its commitment to protect against barriers to trade and create an open, safe and secure online environment, the deal delivers on our commitments to help new technologies evolve and encourage innovation in the economy,” said the statement.

The UK and EU have agreed to put in place arrangements on personal data so that it is protected and can be processed safely and securely. This will mean that once the implementation period is over, we can continue to reap the economic benefits that come from the free flow of data.

“Our message to the UK’s world-leading digital and tech businesses is clear. We have secured the best deal possible to protect our businesses and make sure our personal data is processed safely and securely”, said Wright.

“The deal will help support our talented tech innovators, future emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, while addressing unjustified barriers to digital trade.

“Businesses big and small and in every sector of the economy – from video games makers to hotel and travel companies, mail order firms to manufacturers – want certainty. We now need to back the Prime Minister and get the job done.”