Speaking at the Innovation Nation Summit on 9 October 2026, the Prime Minister stressed the need to move beyond a decade of 'drift' and establish a clear sense of direction and purpose. He articulated a vision where globally significant innovation clusters and companies are established in every region and nation of the UK, fostering opportunity, investment, growth, and well-distributed jobs as part of a 21st-century re-industrialisation drive.
Burnham highlighted Britain's historical tradition of innovation, referencing figures like Ernest Rutherford, Ada Lovelace, and Alan Turing, alongside modern achievements in life sciences and technology. He pointed to existing strengths across the UK, including the creative sector in the Liverpool city region, advanced manufacturing in South Yorkshire, fintech in Edinburgh, gaming in Dundee, photonics in Glasgow, clean energy in Newcastle, space research in Leicester, electric vehicle battery production in Somerset, automotive engineering in Warwickshire, quantum research in Oxford, chip design in Cambridge, cyber security in Belfast, compound semiconductors in South Wales, and the significant AI cluster in Greater Manchester. He also acknowledged London's strengths in creative industries, research, fintech, and AI.
Underpinning these clusters are world-class universities, which the Prime Minister acknowledged as a crucial asset. He noted the upcoming move of the UK Biobank to Manchester Science Park, signalling a significant step forward for life sciences in the region. The government is investing over £80 billion in research and innovation.
To address current shortcomings in capitalising on these assets, the government is introducing new measures. These include devolving local innovation partnerships funds to mayors from 2028, committing £1 billion over four years to support world-leading clusters through UK Research and Innovation, and fostering greater collaboration between clusters across the UK. The establishment of Number 10 North aims to decentralise power and create optimal conditions for innovation on the ground.
The Prime Minister also announced plans to legislate against overly restrictive non-compete clauses that hinder innovation and worker mobility. Furthermore, the government intends to increase domestic investment in UK assets by encouraging more UK pension capital into high-growth companies and leveraging public procurement to support British businesses. The importance of international trade deals and closer relations with the European Union were also stressed.
Addressing the skills deficit, the education system will be reshaped to be 'innovation ready', with parity between academic and technical paths. The government also welcomes international talent, recognising that many of the UK's fastest-growing companies were founded by individuals who came to Britain. The UK's presidency of the G20 next year will see AI placed at the top of the agenda, focusing on an 'AI for good' approach while managing risks.
Burnham concluded by reiterating the mission for 'good growth in every postcode' and the ultimate goal of human progress. He drew parallels with past successes, such as ending youth transmissions of HIV in Greater Manchester and the development of the COVID-19 vaccine, to inspire confidence in tackling future challenges like dementia. The government is investing an additional £33 million, with industry funding bringing the total to £48 million, to accelerate dementia treatment development, with the Health Data Research Service prioritising dementia research.
