Britain wants to reindustrialise, but who will pay for the equipment?

The UK government recently announced £700m to unlock up to ten major industrial and commercial sites, offering a welcome boost to the country’s reindustrialisation efforts. However, a crucial question remains: how will businesses pay for the necessary equipment to make the most of these sites?

Take Datum Tool Design, an aerospace specialist based in Northern Ireland. The firm needed a £3.1m five-axis machining centre with a 22m bed. With Paragon Bank providing £1.6m towards the cost, it can now handle more complex work and compete for larger contracts.

This dilemma is common among manufacturers. They may have secured the orders for a new production line but lack the cash to purchase it outright, risking reduced wages and material costs. Leasing and hire purchase can help spread the expense, but a recent study by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) found that this type of asset finance provided £42bn to UK businesses in the year to September 2026, contributing to £28.2bn in gross value added and 350,000 jobs.

The impact of this financing varies across regions. In Northern Ireland and Wales, asset finance represented 2.8% and 2.6% of gross value added, respectively, while London's contribution was only 0.8%. Yorkshire and the West Midlands showed a rate of 3 times that of London.

While the £700m scheme aims to tackle barriers around planning, grid connections, and access to finance, it is essential for the government to understand the specific needs of businesses to make that investment. Equipment finance providers should be involved in regional industrial plans alongside developers and infrastructure providers, asking businesses about their equipment requirements and identifying potential investment obstacles.

By addressing these concerns from the outset, the UK can more effectively reindustrialise and ensure that businesses have the necessary equipment to thrive.