The projects will develop innovative solutions for trusted and trustworthy tools, technologies and methodologies that target the increasing risks that consumers, businesses and public sector organisations face while carrying out digital transactions. The investment will also help to create competitive advantage for businesses through building a strong capability base in the UK.

Ten major collaborative research projects, each lasting up to three years and involving a total of thirty six UK companies, universities and other organisations, will share £7.34 million while nineteen shorter projects, each led by a SME or micro-company and lasting up to one year, will receive investment of £1.25 million between them.

Iain Gray, the Technology Strategy Board's Chief Executive, said:

"These projects will lead to the development of an extensive range of tools and services that, as well as helping to make our digital transactions more secure and trustworthy, will help to make the UK businesses involved more globally competitive. The markets being created for trusted services around the world offer the potential for wealth creation in the UK. We are investing to help deliver economic growth."

Nick Appleyard, Head of Digital at the Technology Strategy Board, added:

"Establishing trust and confidence when doing business and carrying out personal transactions in the electronic world of digital services is a major challenge. Overcoming this challenge requires innovative thinking about how digital channels and secure technologies can be applied in a way that is convenient and easy for people to use. We look forward to seeing the results of these important projects."

The ten major projects will be led by Avoco Secure Ltd, Chronos Technology Ltd, HOIP CIC, HP Laboratories Bristol, In Touch Ltd, MaxBox International Ltd, NPL Management Ltd, Rolls Royce plc, Thales Research and Technology UK Ltd and Vox Generation Ltd.