The UK government has launched a £700 million Strategic Sites Accelerator to unlock up to 10 major industrial and commercial sites across the country. Announced on Monday 2 November, the programme aims to crowd in up to £2 billion in private investment and support tens of thousands of jobs over time.

The Accelerator will offer a mix of loans, equity, targeted grants and technical expertise to commercially viable sites with strong investor demand. It is designed to tackle the barriers that stall development, including planning delays, grid connection problems and access to finance. The Office for Investment and the National Wealth Fund will work with developers, investors and regional partners, with CBRE acting as national delivery partner.

Which sites could benefit first

The government said it is already in discussions with local partners about potential sites in Glasgow, Sheffield and the proposed science and technology park at Burgess Hill in Sussex. Those are potential sites under discussion, not confirmed selections, and individual investments will still depend on due diligence and approvals. Mayors and local leaders will help identify opportunities through No10 North, alongside the wider search for the country's biggest strategic investment sites.

The scheme will focus on high-growth sectors including advanced manufacturing, digital and technology, defence and life sciences. A further £285 million will support areas moving towards devolution deals or strategic authority status. The government presents the programme as a step in its industrial strategy, aimed at getting promising projects off the ground more quickly.

Sources: GOV.UK, Department for Business and Trade announcement, 2 November 2026; BritBrief.