MPs urge UK government to play venture capitalist with taxpayer-funded tech

Britain is funding the next generation of tech companies without making sure taxpayers get a slice of the action, MPs have warned. In a new report shared with The Register ahead of publication, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has accused UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) of being overly cautious about protecting taxpayers' interests. Rather than simply handing out grants, MPs want UKRI to consider taking equity stakes in more of the businesses it backs, giving the public a chance to cash in