Today (June 11, 2025), Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, delivered her Spending Review as she set out budgets for the various government departments.
On the review, Katie Gallagher, MD of Manchester Digital and chair of the UK Tech Cluster Group, said:
“The Manchester tech industry welcomes the news that the Government has committed £86bn into science and technology R&D, including up to £500m for regional authorities to target investment locally and £2bn for the AI Action Plan. Greater Manchester will receive awards of least £30m, as well as a £4.8m partnership between Manchester and Cambridge for business investment.
“We also recognise the significance of the funding to reform public services and the opportunities this could create for SMEs in terms of procurement, if done correctly, as well as the £1.2bn announced for skills and training for young people, which will be vital to the development of our tech, digital and science industries.
“We’ve campaigned and worked closely with MPs and officials to push for greater regional investment. As ecosystem organisations, we see first-hand where support is needed and where it can have the most impact. Giving local leaders the means to invest in R&D, skills and digital infrastructure will only deliver results if they are working hand-in-hand with the right partners, including cluster organisations like ours, who understand the businesses, the gaps and the opportunities on the ground.
“This isn’t just about growing the tech sector. It’s about creating the conditions for people across our cities and regions to benefit from high-value, future-facing jobs. If we get this right, the returns will go far beyond GDP.”
