I'd argue against your point that many software jobs have been outsources/offshored - at least not any more than other major western economies. The UK has a relatively large software industry - game development, european headquarters of various large technology multinationals, a thriving tech scene in Silicon Roundabout / Cambridge / starting in the north of England, and a fairly large hobbyist arena. If anything, this push will bring the jobs that have been offshored back to the UK as the talent pool grows.

The dirty little secret of Tech City, which is what we are calling silicon roundabout this week, is there is very very little tech there. Lots of "creatives", lots of "social media brand strategy", a few hairdressers and bakers with Twitter accounts. But no actual tech is developed there.

Is Tech City the geeky version of Sin City?

I disagree. There have a been a large number of companies requiring software developers opening up new offices in Northern Ireland over the last few years and existing ones have been expanding.

I would say most mass market software people here are working for peanuts in a digital marketing firm. Not sure how that relates to these programmes... but

I think it is changing, I work for the civil service in the UK and there is a drive toward more in house staff than contractors.