Prime Minister Andy Burnham MP has unveiled plans for dedicated research and development (R&D) funding for local leaders, announced on 9 October 2026. This initiative is part of a broader effort to distribute opportunity, investment, and growth across the UK, empowering local areas to support promising innovation and leverage local strengths.
The government will also commit £1 billion through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) over the next four years. This funding aims to support high-growth innovation clusters within the Industrial Strategy's priority sectors, backing areas with research excellence, businesses, and skilled workers.
In addition, a new partnership to aid people living with dementia was announced at the Innovation Nation Summit, convened by former prime minister Gordon Brown. This includes £33 million through the Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Goals programme, alongside funding from Bristol Myers Squibb, GSK, and Gates Ventures. The investment will support The BARBARA Alliance, a UK-wide not-for-profit partnership, to create a coordinated platform linking health data, research, and clinical trial capabilities, making it easier to recruit participants for studies and accelerate new treatments.
Professor Sir Ian Chapman, UKRI Chief Executive, welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement, stating that research and innovation are central to the UK's growth and prosperity. He noted that UKRI's experience with the Local Innovation Partnership Fund demonstrates the potential of national investment combined with local knowledge.