Data centre server racks

Major tech investment to drive growth

The Prime Minister has announced that a deal has been agreed that will bring £10 billion of investment and thousands of jobs to the North East of England.

Supporting government aims of driving growth, and local communities, the biggest AI data centre in Europe will be delivered as part of a project to significantly boost the UK’s AI capabilities.

Thanks to the creation of the data centre, more than 4,000 jobs will be created in Blyth, with 1,200 of these being dedicated to the actual construction of the site. The process of delivery will begin next year, with vast amounts of data that is required to power AI and store information being hosted at the site. As evidenced by the deal, which is with a US investment company, foreign investment is a key part of the government’s mission of economic growth.

Whilst job creation will also be a major benefit from the delivery of the site, the company involved in the deal will also invest £110 million directly into a fund that will support the delivery of additional skills training and transport infrastructure for the people of Blyth.

Alongside the direct benefits of the delivery of the data centre, the deal also signifies the work that the government is undertaking to rebuild Britain’s reputation as an investment destination. Commenting on this, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

AI investment QUOTE

“The number one mission of my government is to grow our economy so that hard-working British people reap the benefits – and more foreign investment is a crucial part of that plan.

“New investment such as the one we’ve announced with Blackstone today is a huge vote of confidence in the UK and it proves that Britain is back as a major player on the global stage and we’re open for business.”

The UK is currently home to the highest number of data centres in Western Europe, with the government now classing the sites as ‘Critical National Infrastructure.’

 

Image credit: iStock

Issue 132

Public Sector Executive Magazine

Issue 132

Dive into our latest issue! 

More articles...

View all
Online Conference

Presenting

2024/2025 Online Conferences

In partnership with our community of public sector leaders responsible for procurement and strategy across local authorities and the wider public sector, we’ve devised a collaborative calendar of conferences and events for leaders of industry to listen, learn and collaborate through engaging and immersive conversation.

All our conferences are CPD accredited, which means you can gain points to advance your career by attending our online conferences. Also, the contents are available on demand so you can re-watch at your convenience.

Public Sector Executive Podcast

Listen to industry leaders on everything within the public sector

From government policies and public administration to education, healthcare, and infrastructure, we explore the challenges and innovations shaping our communities.

 

Join us as we speak with industry leaders, policymakers, and frontline professionals, providing you with valuable insights and perspectives to stay informed and engaged with the issues that matter most.