UK regions receive additional £20 million to support science and technology growth

Three UK regions will receive an additional £20 million each to support science and technology development as part of a government initiative to drive innovation outside London and the South East. The Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Glasgow City regions will see their total funding rise to £50 million each through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. The announcement coincides with the first Regional Investment Summit in Birmingham, where government ministers, local leaders and business representatives are discussing ways to strengthen regional economies through research, innovation and private investment. The funding is intended to help local partnerships expand projects in areas such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy and life sciences, translating research activity into commercial growth.

The government said the previous round of the innovation accelerators programme had already helped to secure more than £140 million in private investment and created hundreds of jobs. Officials hope the new phase will build on that progress and support what they describe as a more balanced national economy.

Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the UK’s regional strengths in science and technology should play a central role in future economic growth. Chancellor Rachel Reeves added that innovation “can be found in every corner of the UK” and that the new investment is intended to ensure that local talent and ideas are not held back by a lack of resources.

Alongside the funding announcement, two manufacturing projects were confirmed: a 60,000 square foot research and production facility for Sterling Pharmaceuticals in Birmingham and a new Biocomposites manufacturing site at Keele University (pictured). Both are expected to create skilled jobs and strengthen domestic supply chains in the life sciences sector.

The government also plans to make up to £20 million available for other regional innovation partnerships across the UK. Ministers say these initiatives will be designed to align local research and industrial capacity with national growth priorities, though the scale and timing of further investment remain unclear.