DRONES GIVE A £42BN LIFT FOR BRITAIN
New technology to boost economy
DRONES could boost the economy by £42billion by 2030 as retailers use the airborne gadgets to make deliveries, check stock and for security.
Industries such as farming, construction and manufacturing could also benefit, with more than 76,000 drones in Britain by the end of the next decade.
A study by accountancy firm PwC found the devices could help the UK achieve up to £16bn in net cost savings by 2030 through increased productivity.
The technology, media and telecoms sector stands to benefit the most by using drones, with the potential to reduce costs by £4.8bn.
PwC director Elaine Whyte said: “Drones have the potential to offer a powerful new perspective for businesses across a variety of industries. The UK has the opportunity to be at the leading edge of exploiting this emerging technology, and now is the time for investments to be made.”
PwC estimates there will be 628,000 people working in the drone economy by 2030, developing, building, operating and regulating the devices.
Jonathan Gillham, economics director at PwC, added: “Drones could spark significant improvements in the UK economy.
“By automating tasks, improving effectiveness, safety and reducing costs, drones will free up people to focus on higher-value work.”