The Government has announced a major funding boost of £20 million each for Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, and the Glasgow City Region, aimed at accelerating regional innovation in science and technology.
This new investment forms part of the £500 million Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF) and builds on the £30 million previously allocated to each region in June’s Spending Review. The total funding available to each of the three regions now stands at £50 million, empowering local leaders to support transformative projects in AI, robotics, clean energy, and life sciences.
The funding will support pioneering initiatives such as:
- Chemify in Glasgow: Developing the world’s first ‘Chemputation’ facility, combining AI-driven molecular design with industrial robotics to accelerate drug discovery.
- Greater Manchester’s AI hub: Connecting university expertise with SMEs to develop technologies that predict disease progression and support net-zero goals.
- Biochar CleanTech in the West Midlands: Converting organic waste into low-carbon products to support sustainability.
These projects build on the success of the Innovation Accelerators programme, which has already attracted £140 million in private investment and created hundreds of jobs across the UK.
Secretary of State for Science and Technology, Liz Kendall, commented:
“The UK is blessed with incredible science and tech talent behind everything from life-saving vaccines to cleaner fuels that could cut bills in the years to come, improving the lives of people up and down the country.
“These prized sectors are also major drivers of economic growth in local communities. By backing those with the knowledge to home in on local strengths and supporting valued businesses in building the facilities that can set our country apart, we can lead the next generation of life-changing discoveries.
“This government’s message ahead of this landmark Regional Investment Summit is loud and clear – the UK is open for business.”
In addition to the funding for the three regions, the government is inviting bids of up to £20 million from other high-potential innovation clusters across the UK. This includes areas specialising in advanced manufacturing, digital technologies, and clean energy, aligning with the UK’s Industrial Strategy to boost jobs and growth.
These developments will create and safeguard high-skilled jobs while strengthening the UK’s resilience to future health emergencies.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring no region is left behind in the drive for investment, jobs, and growth under the Plan for Change.
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