“Reeves Under Pressure to Detail £2bn AI Funding Plans in Autumn Budget”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves Needs to Shine a Light on the £2 Billion for AI Opportunities!

According to Blick Rothenberg, a leading audit, tax, and advisory firm, it’s high time Chancellor Rachel Reeves shared the plans for the £2 billion set aside for the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan. Businesses are eager for clarity on how this money will be spent, as smart investment could spark amazing growth for the economy.

“Research from Microsoft shows that AI could bring a whopping £550 billion opportunity for the UK in the next decade,” said Evelina Panchal, a director at the firm. “To back our tech sector, Rachel Reeves should outline how the £2 billion will be utilized.”

The AI Opportunities Action Plan, revealed in the 2025 Spending Review, focuses on boosting the UK’s national AI infrastructure. It includes exciting proposals for AI Growth Zones, where planning rules would be softened to speed up the creation of data centres and computing facilities. Panchal stressed that tech companies need specifics on timelines, locations, and access to make the most of this initiative.

The tech industry contributed a fantastic £71 billion to the UK economy in 2023 and employed 1.77 million people in 2024. Panchal pointed out that the success of the £2 billion investment hinges on how quickly those funds are released and whether the government provides a clear roadmap.
“We still face major hurdles like infrastructure gaps, skills shortages, and slow business adoption,” she warned. “Reeves must provide clear timelines and implementation strategies.”

Panchal also encouraged the Chancellor to avoid any changes in the Budget that might make the UK less attractive for digital entrepreneurs.

She highlighted that share-based incentive schemes, like Enterprise Management Incentives (EMIs) — crucial in the tech and AI sectors — should remain untouchable to draw in specialists in this fiercely competitive global market.

“Rachel Reeves should steer clear of any adjustments to Capital Gains Tax, exit taxes, or wealth taxes,” she emphasized. “Doing so could dampen the entrepreneurial spirit in tech, leading to adverse effects on innovation and economic growth.”

She firmly stated that the UK must continue to be “a supportive and fair environment for tech companies and their founders” to keep them thriving in Britain, bringing vital investment, jobs, and income.