The initiative, launched today, aims to drive reindustrialisation by supporting commercially viable sites with strong investor demand. It will deploy around £700 million, alongside expert support, to overcome barriers such as planning constraints, grid connections, and access to finance. The programme intends to attract up to £2 billion in private investment and support tens of thousands of jobs.
The Strategic Sites Accelerator will provide a range of support, including loans, equity, targeted grant funding, and technical expertise. It will bring together government, local partners, and developers to address specific barriers hindering development. The programme is open to sites across every nation and region of the UK, focusing on areas like advanced manufacturing, digital and tech, defence, and life sciences.
“"Local leaders know their communities best. Only by trusting them with real power and resources will we see change. This £700 million package is helping break down the barriers to local growth, so people can feel the benefits of a growing economy and love where they live."
“"Britain’s potential is everywhere, but we hear the same old arguments all too often – outdated infrastructure, insufficient access to finance, and problems with planning. These are barriers that hold back investment, block new jobs, and shackle our potential, and we need to do more to empower our local leaders and help drive the growth their communities deserve and expect."
The Accelerator is already engaging with potential sites in Glasgow, Burgess Hill, and Sheffield. It will also support investment opportunities in regions such as Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, South Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, the North East, Glasgow City Region, and Cardiff Capital Region. The programme is a key part of the government's Industrial Strategy, aiming to unlock sites that can attract significant investment and create high-quality, well-paid jobs.
Mayors from various regions, including Greater Manchester, Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, East Midlands, South Yorkshire, West Midlands, West of England, and West Yorkshire, have welcomed the initiative, highlighting its potential to remove barriers, accelerate development, and foster economic growth in their areas. CBRE has been appointed as the National Delivery Partner for the programme.
