Glasgow City Region given extra £20m science and tech cash boost as new investment kicks off landmark growth summit
New cash boosts of £20m each for Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Glasgow City Region will help to deliver game-changing local innovations like robotics to unlock new medicines or AI that can spot illnesses earlier.
The funding package will give access to a total of £50m each to fund innovations in science and technology, like the next lifesaving medicine or cheaper fuels that can keep bills down.
The new funding is the latest commitment from the Government’s £500m Local Innovation Partnerships Fund (LIPF). It builds on the initial £30m earmarked for each place in June’s Spending Review, along with seven others across the UK, in addition to inviting further bids of up to £20 million from high potential innovation clusters in all other regions of the UK.
This will support investment in local innovation strengths – from advanced manufacturing and life sciences to digital technologies and clean energy.
Cllr Susan Aitken, Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet and Leader of Glasgow City Council said:
“Glasgow is continually building its reputation as a hub of innovation, and this additional investment is hugely welcome and a powerful endorsement of Glasgow City Region’s proven ability to deliver impact at scale.
“We have the track record, infrastructure, and expertise to turn this funding into inclusive economic growth aligned with UK and Scottish Government priorities. This additional support will help us go even further in delivering against those shared ambitions.”
This additional funding will enable more spinouts like Chemify, based in Glasgow City Region, which was backed by UK Government funding, to help create the world’s first ‘Chemputation’ facility – merging AI-powered molecular‑design engines with industrial robotics to speed up discovery of medicines and materials.
Elsewhere, regional funding has boosted Greater Manchester’s growth into a global AI hub, connecting university technical expertise to start-ups and SMEs so they can turn early-stage ideas into viable products – from tech which can predict disease progression earlier to work on net zero innovations to decarbonise buildings.
And in the West Midlands, the additional funding could enable more projects like Biochar CleanTech, taking organic residues like sawdust or fallen trees and converting them into usable low‑carbon products.
The projects launched under the predecessor Innovation Accelerators programme have delivered more than £140 million of private investment and hundreds of jobs, creating more opportunities for people to get on.
The announcement was made ahead of the UK Government Regional Investment Summit which will bring together business leaders, major investors, policymakers, regulators, regional mayors and other local leaders to showcase the breadth and depth of opportunities to invest, expand and create jobs right across our nations and regions.
Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said:
“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.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said:
“The world’s brightest talents and most innovative businesses can be found in every corner of the UK, but years of chronic underinvestment have held them back.
“Not anymore. We are putting a stop to this unfairness by investing in every part of the country. From Glasgow to Birmingham, we are fuelling innovation through our Plan for Change, delivering skilled jobs, and building an economy that works for, and rewards working people.”
Backed by major corporations including Eon, Lloyds, KPMG, HSBC and IBM, the Regional Investment Summit will be co-hosted by the Chancellor, the Business and Trade Secretary, and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, with representation from Glasgow City Region. Attendees will include business leaders, international investors, and policymakers from home and abroad in attendance.