Overview
- Delivering the Mais lecture, the chancellor committed to the fastest AI adoption in the G7 backed by a £2.5bn advanced‑computing package, including a £1bn quantum procurement programme and a £500m sovereign AI fund to launch in April at Wayve.
- The quantum programme will make systems available to researchers, the public sector and businesses, with the government describing it as a step toward rolling out quantum computing at scale.
- Reeves unveiled fiscal devolution plans with consultations on letting local leaders control a share of national taxes and announced £2.3bn for mayors in major city regions to spur investment, with further details due at the Budget.
- On Europe, she backed closer UK–EU ties through selective regulatory alignment in areas such as food standards, energy, youth mobility and defence, while ruling out joining the EU customs union.
- The agenda comes after GDP flatlined in January and the OBR cut near‑term growth forecasts, drawing Conservative attacks over Brexit “row back” claims as business groups welcomed the tech focus and delivery push.