Reeves urged to set out how 2bn AI investment will be spent in Autumn Budget

""Research from Microsoft suggests AI represents a £550 billion opportunity for the UK over the next decade," she said."

""To support the tech sector, Rachel Reeves should confirm how the £2bn commitment will be used.""

""Infrastructure gaps, skills shortages and slow business adoption remain the biggest challenges," she warned. "Reeves must set clear timelines and implementation plans.""

Chancellor Rachel Reeves should specify how the £2bn earmarked for the AI Opportunities Action Plan will be deployed in the Autumn Budget. The funding could unlock substantial economic gains if released quickly and governed by a detailed roadmap. Research from Microsoft estimates AI represents a £550 billion opportunity for the UK over the next decade. The Action Plan proposes AI Growth Zones to relax planning rules and accelerate data‑centre and compute facility development. The tech sector contributed £71bn in 2023 and employed 1.77 million people in 2024. Infrastructure gaps, skills shortages and slow business adoption remain major obstacles. Share‑based incentives such as Enterprise Management Incentives must be preserved to retain specialist talent and digital entrepreneurship.

Read at Business Matters