To get the visa you must first get an endorsement from a nominated organisation who's fit to judge your field (academia or research, arts and culture, or digital technology). Tech Nation did the endorsements for digital technology.
Once you have the endorsement from Tech Nation, the actual visa application done by Home Office is rather simple and is just 'rubber stamping' back in your home country.
Is it possible Tech Nation were a bit too happy getting their government funding, didn't devote enough time to thinking about diversifying their income, or the "value for money for the taxpayer" angle, then were surprised when the gravy train stopped?
I'd love to pick your brain if your open to that.
I enjoy living in the UK. The main thing that keeps me here is enertia - social circle and a (remote, but not async) job that I enjoy.
My initial move here was 100% a function of my age/stage in life. I do not regret moving here, and to be honest 'the current climate' doesn't really affect me that much.