Industrial Strategy references for quarterly update January to March 2026
Published 9 April 2026
This document outlines the references used within the text of this quarterly update. Sources for the Economic Indicators are outlined within table 2 of the methodological note and sources for the examples of public finance support and major new investment commitments can be found in the accompanying spreadsheet.
References used in the quarterly update
References used for page 2
The following references were used for page 2:
- Northern Growth Strategy: HM Treasury, Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government (2026), Northern Powerhouse Rail to drive biggest travel upgrade in the North in a generation
- Agratas Grant: Competition and Market Authority (2026), Referral of the proposed subsidy to Agratas Limited by the Department for Business and Trade
- Quantum Projects: Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, HM Treasury (2026), UK’s “Quantum leap” to help beat disease, deliver high-paid jobs, and strengthen national security, as first country in the world to roll out Quantum computers at scale
- Sovereign AI Fund: HM Treasury, Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (2026), UK will win AI race as Chancellor sets out economic ‘big choices’
- British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme: Department for Business and Trade (2025), Government acts on top business concern and cuts electricity bills for thousands of manufacturers by up to 25%
References used for page 3
The following references were used for page 3:
- DRIVE35 Supplier Readiness Scheme:
- Offshore Wind Auction: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Prime Minister’s Office (2026), Record renewables auction supports 7,000 jobs and £3bn investment
- Nuclear Regulatory Review: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (2026), Building our nuclear nation: government response to the Nuclear Regulatory Review 2025
- Fusion Strategy: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (2026), A new energy revolution: The UK’s plan for delivering fusion energy
- STEP Fusion site: STEP Fusion (2026), Appointment of ILIOS accelerates delivery of STEP Fusion at West Burton
- Creative Industries Research, Development, and Innovation Funding Package: Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (2026), Regions set to benefit from new creative industries funding
- AI and copyright report: Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Department for Culture, Media, and Sport, Intellectual Property Office (2026), Report and impact assessment on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
- Production Park: Production Park (2026), Planning Approval Marks New Era For Production Park
- Leonardo Defence Contract: Ministry of Defence (2026), Billion-pound helicopter deal secures 3,300 British jobs, boosts battlefield kit and unlocks up to £15 billion in UK exports
- Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon Fighter Jet Package: Ministry of Defence (2026) Half a billion investment to upgrade RAF Typhoons and secure 1,500 British jobs
- IonQ and the University of Cambridge: Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (2026) UK’s “Quantum leap” to help beat disease, deliver high-paid jobs, and strengthen national security, as first country in the world to roll out Quantum computers at scale
- Government-backed research lab: Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, UK Research and Innovation (2026), Government to create new lab to keep UK in the fast lane on AI breakthroughs
- TechFirst Women’s Programme: Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (2026), Government breaks down barriers to help more women and girls enter the tech sector
- Berne Financial Services Agreement: HM Treasury (2026), The Berne Financial Services Agreement
- Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations Regime: Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) (2026), PS25/9: New rules for the public offers and admissions to trading regime
- FCA/Prudential Regulation Authority Scale-Up Unit: FCA, PRA (2026), Regulators announce first firms to join Scale-up Unit
- UCB: HM Treasury, British Business Bank, Office for Life Sciences (2026), Reeves gets deals done at Davos
- Addiction Healthcare Goals Catalysing Innovation Awards: Department of Health and Social Care (2026), New technology and medicines to combat drug and alcohol addiction
- UK-Japan science and tech collaborations: Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (2026), UK and Japan strengthen science and technology ties
- PBS Research and Development Activities: Innovate UK Business Connect (2026), Professional and Financial Services - a snapshot of 2025 and what’s next
- PBS Export Data: Department for Business and Trade Analysis of ONS UK Trade in Goods and Services (2026), PBS defined as ‘Other Business Services’
- LawtechUK programme: Ministry of Justice (2026), Millions invested to boost UK’s position as a global tech leader
References used for page 4
The following references were used for page 4:
- Refunds on visa fees: HM Treasury (2026), Reeves tells Davos: Britain is the best place in the world to invest
- Global Talent Taskforce: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Department for Business and Trade (2026), UK launches global talent drive to attract world-leading researchers and innovators
- AI Skills Boost: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Skills England (2026), Free AI training for all, as government and industry programme expands to provide 10 million workers with key AI skills by 2030
- UK Export Finance Lending: UK Export Finance, Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury (2026), UK lenders step up with £11 billion push to back British businesses
- China Export Deals: Department for Business and Trade (2026), Prime Minister visit to China: trade and investment factsheet
- Diplomatic Advisory Hub: British Chambers of Commerce (2026), Diplomatic Advisory Hub Middle East Insight
- Reducing the cost of regulation: Department for Business and Trade (2026), Business Secretary backs British scaleups with growth package and red tape review
- New re-domiciliation regime: Department for Business and Trade (2026), Open for business: implementing a UK corporate re-domiciliation regime
- Public procurement: Cabinet Office (2026), Public Procurement: Growing British industry, jobs and skills Government response to consultation
- Improving infrastructure:
- Greater Manchester:
- Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology, HM Treasury, Office for Life Sciences (2026), UK regions given extra £20 million science and tech cash boost as new investment kicks off landmark growth summit
- National Highways (2026), M60 junction 18 Simister Island Interchange
- Government Property Agency, Cabinet Office (2026), Manchester Digital Campus confirmed
- Liverpool City Region:
- Science and Technology Facilities Council (2026), £51 million funding announced for ASTeC-led National Cryogenic Facility
- UK Research and Innovation (2026), Liverpool City Region to lead first pilot for construction challenge
- Liverpool City Region CA (2026), Liverpool City Region projects in line to receive £30m from national innovation scheme
- West Yorkshire:
- South Yorkshire:
References used for page 5
The following references were used for page 5:
- Supporting entrepreneurs: Department for Business and Trade (2026), Business Secretary backs British scaleups with growth package and red tape review
- Enhancing skills: Department for Work and Pensions (2026), Major employment drive to help unlock 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for next generation
- Capitalising on the value of UK data: Department for Business and Trade (2026), Smart Data Challenge Prize selects Moverly’s digital property pack as winner
- Improving capital allowances: HM Revenue and Customs (2026), Capital allowances: new first-year allowance and reducing main rate writing-down allowances
- Mobilising private capital: National Wealth Fund (2026), Unlocking the UK’s Future: our Five-Year Strategic Plan to 30/31
- Making it easier for business to access government: HM Revenue and Customs (2026), HMRC introduces GOV.UK One Login for new customers
- Industrial Strategy Advisory Council: Department for Business and Trade, HM Treasury, Industrial Strategy Advisory Council (2026), Business Secretary bolsters advisory council to grow UK industry
References used for page 6
The following references were used for page 6:
- Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor: HM Treasury (2026), Oxford-Cambridge corridor to be UK’s “Silicon Valley”
- Cambridge Supercomputer: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (2026), Cambridge supercomputer set to get 6 times more powerful as government backs British AI innovation
- City Investment Funds: HM Treasury (2026), Chancellor backs the North’s industrial strengths with new investments
- Chery Commercial Vehicle: Liverpool City Region CA (2026), Mayor hails ‘fantastic vote of confidence’ as Chinese auto firm announces first European HQ in Liverpool
- Local Innovation Partnership Fund: UK Research and Innovation (2026), Seven new UK areas confirmed for £500m innovation fund support
- Industrial Strategy Zone projects: UK Freeports (2026), £3.3m to speed up development of ISZ sites
- Scotland Defence Growth Deal: Ministry of Defence, Scotland Office (2026), Scotland set for skills and innovation boost as £50 million defence growth deal unveiled
- Lenovo: Lenovo (2026), Lenovo Expands Global R&D Footprint with New AI Innovation Centers and a Digital Trust Lab
- Bank of America: Department for Business and Trade (2026), US financial giants boost UK investments and jobs across London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Manchester
- Wales Defence Growth Deal: Ministry of Defence, Wales Office (2026), Wales becomes UK launchpad for next generation autonomous technology
- Auction Round 7: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (2026), Record breaking auction for offshore wind secured to take back control of Britain’s energy
- Large Structures Innovation Centre: NCCUK (2026), Large Structures Innovation Centre: next phase
- Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (2026), More than 3,400 jobs and targeted support for local communities to help tackle the cost of living as Lanarkshire named latest AI Growth Zone
References used for page 7
The following references were used for page 7:
- China: Prime Minister’s Office, Department for Business and Trade, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026), Billions in exports and investment deals secured as PM concludes visit to China
- European Union: European Commission (2026), EU and UK agree to cooperate closely on competition matters
- Ukraine:
- Ireland: Prime Minister’s Office (2026), Closer ties with Ireland are delivering for the UK in a volatile world, as leaders attend second UK-Ireland summit
- United States: Department for Business and Trade, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (2026), UK and US sign Memorandum of Understanding on critical minerals
- Nigeria:
- Department for Business and Trade (2026), UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership – ministerial dialogue communiqué: 16 March 2026
- UK Export Finance, Department for Business and Trade (2026), Record-breaking order for British Steel as UK and Nigeria sign landmark £746 million ports deal
- Spain: