The Treasury has given final approval to a multi-million-pound, state-backed investment to build advanced artificial intelligence data centres in Leeds and Manchester, with the aim of strengthening regional technological sovereignty and accelerating industrial research partnerships.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer confirmed the investment approval as the Treasury finalised a regulatory framework for domestic AI supercomputing hubs in northern England.

The plans link new computing infrastructure in the two cities to closer industrial research collaboration. Greater regional control over technology is a stated objective, rather than an outcome established by the approval: the decision concerns investment in facilities yet to be built.