The UK government has committed £86 billion over four years to science and technology research and development, including £500 million for regional authorities. This investment aims to boost various sectors like life sciences, defense, and AI, and is part of a broader spending review by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, which also includes an overhaul of Treasury rules to divert more money to regions outside London and the South East.
Ministers commit to £86bn for ‘breakthrough’ UK science and tech R&D
Research and developmentPoliticsUKRachel ReevesPeter KyleLocal governmentLocal politicsSocietyTechnology
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The UK government has committed £86 billion over four years to science and technology research and development, including £500 million for regional authorities. This investment aims to boost various sectors like life sciences, defense, and AI, and is part of a broader spending review by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, which also includes an overhaul of Treasury rules to divert more money to regions outside London and the South East.
Trending- 1 October (previous year): Rachel Reeves made changes to government’s debt rules, unlocking £113bn for new capital investment.
- 2 This week: Ministers announced £86bn commitment for R&D.
- 3 Wednesday: Spending review where Rachel Reeves will set out expenditure plans.
- Boost to life sciences, defense, and semiconductor industries
- Creation of jobs
- Protection against foreign threats
- Potential for working families to be better off
- More balanced regional investment
- Potential for new medicines and AI developments
What: UK ministers committed £86 billion in research and development (R&D) funding for science and technology.
When: Announced before the spending review on Wednesday (implied June 11, 2025); investment covers the next four years.
Where: United Kingdom, specifically Liverpool, Northern Ireland, South Wales, Greater Manchester, West Midlands, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, North East, Greater London, Manchester, Cambridge, London, South East, North, Midlands.
Why: To boost science and technology, create jobs, protect security, make working families better off, and promote regional investment.
How: Through a £22.5 billion annual commitment in R&D, including up to £500 million for regional authorities, and an overhaul of the Treasury’s “green book” rules.