The UK government has launched a Strategic Sites Accelerator, deploying around £700 million alongside expert support to help unlock up to 10 major industrial and commercial sites across the country. The programme started on Monday 2 November 2026, with mayors and local leaders helping to identify opportunities where investment is already interested but development has stalled.

The government says the aim is to crowd in up to £2 billion in private investment over time and support tens of thousands of jobs. It describes the sites as commercially viable locations where backing from government can remove specific barriers, rather than projects with no investor demand.

What the Accelerator will support

Support can take the form of loans, equity and targeted grants, as well as technical and advisory help. The focus sectors are advanced manufacturing, digital and technology, defence and life sciences. The government says it is already engaging on potential sites in Glasgow, Burgess Hill and Sheffield, while also exploring opportunities in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, the West Midlands, South Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, the North East, Glasgow City Region and Cardiff Capital Region.

Barriers named by the government include planning delays, grid connections and access to finance. The Office for Investment and the National Wealth Fund are involved in delivery, with CBRE named as national delivery partner.

What happens next for local areas

The government says its ambition is to support six to 10 sites, with investments subject to commercial assessment and approvals. Mayors will receive a share of business rates from 2027 and an assignment of income tax from 2028. Sources: GOV.UK and Traders Union.