Budget 2026: Healey bets £700m on AI to boost British tech firms
John Healey has unveiled more than £700m in funding for AI safety and British tech firms, including a new £40m unit to tackle rogue AI systems. The package, much of which was trailed ahead of Wednesday’s Budget, includes £120m for the AI Security Institute and £165m for biosecurity, as ministers seek to strengthen Britain’s defences [...]
Chancellor John Healey has allocated over £700 million in funding for AI safety and British technology firms in the 2026 Budget. This includes a new £40 million unit dedicated to tracking rogue AI systems and identifying vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. The government is also investing £165 million in a National AI Biosecurity Initiative, which features a laboratory to identify biological threats and up to £200 million in model credits from OpenAI and Anthropic.
Additionally, £70 million will establish a National Exposure and Real-Time Vulnerability Centre to bolster Britain's cyber defenses. The government seeks to improve cyber security across public services, including hospitals, schools, and local authorities, with £24 million allocated for this purpose. The Sovereign AI Fund, with £60 million, aims to reduce Britain's dependence on overseas technology suppliers, while the Ministry of Defence explores expanding sovereign computing capacity.
However, industry leaders question whether the investment will lead to greater technological independence and offer practical solutions for enhancing digital sovereignty.
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