Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the AI Growth Zone in north-east England delivers over 5,000 skilled jobs and attracts the forecasted £30 billion in private investment.

The Government is establishing AI Growth Zones (AIGZs) to deliver the infrastructure needed for the UK to develop and deploy advanced AI at scale.

Following the announcement of the North East Growth Zone, we have established a taskforce which DSIT SoS will co-chair with the regional mayor (Kim McGuinness), including the region’s leading universities, businesses and skills providers. Alongside our existing engagement with partners, this taskforce will ensure we bring all the force of national government to work with regional and local government. We will lay the physical foundations and build data centres to launch careers in AI, ensuring this Growth Zone is about creating real opportunities for people across the region.