The British government has announced a landmark £86 billion commitment to science and technology research and development (R&D), aiming to propel the UK to the forefront of global innovation over the next decade. Ministers hailed the investment as a “generational breakthrough” that will bolster national security, drive economic growth, and reduce reliance on foreign tech giants.
Unveiled by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Science Secretary Michelle Donelan, the funding package spans sectors including quantum computing, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, and clean energy. It marks one of the largest long-term R&D investments in UK history and signals a decisive effort to close the innovation gap with rivals such as the United States and China.
“This is not just about science—it’s about securing Britain’s future,” Reeves said during a visit to the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. “By investing in our brightest minds and most promising technologies, we are backing the industries that will define the 21st century.”
The £86bn will be deployed over the course of the current parliament, with significant tranches directed through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), regional innovation clusters, and public-private partnerships. Notably, £11bn has been earmarked specifically for quantum technologies, while £8bn will support early-stage AI ventures and academic institutions leading foundational research.
Officials emphasised that the initiative is designed not only to spark discovery but to turn breakthroughs into domestic industrial strength. That means more commercialisation, faster regulatory pathways, and stronger incentives for companies to manufacture and scale in the UK.
“We’ve watched too many home-grown technologies go abroad,” said Donelan. “This package ensures the UK is not just a place of ideas, but of delivery, of jobs, and of lasting global impact.”
In parallel, the government is launching a National Innovation Accelerator, a new body to connect university research with industrial partners and venture capital. The agency will be tasked with ensuring R&D spending translates into tangible results, ranging from next-generation batteries and fusion power to defence-grade microchips.
Critics have welcomed the scale of ambition but warned of delivery risks. The Institute for Government cautioned that past attempts at strategic R&D spending were hindered by bureaucracy and political churn. “Throwing money at science doesn’t work unless you have clear, stable leadership and institutional coherence,” said one research policy expert.
Nevertheless, the broader scientific community reacted positively. Sir Patrick Vallance, former Chief Scientific Adviser, called the investment “a long overdue recognition that science is a national infrastructure.”
The move comes at a time when global scientific investment is increasingly shaped by geopolitical concerns. With Washington tightening chip controls and Beijing pursuing tech independence, the UK sees an opportunity to assert itself as a neutral yet formidable hub for discovery and commercial innovation.
Ministers stressed that while the programme is UK-focused, it is built on international openness. “We’re going to be a magnet for global talent,” said Reeves. “Science thrives when borders don’t get in the way of collaboration—but we must lead on our own terms.”
With this bold commitment, the UK is seeking to not only revitalise its economy but to redefine its global identity in an era where innovation is both currency and strategy.
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