The UK has secured £150bn of investment from US firms in a landmark “Tech Prosperity Deal” signed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump. The government says the package will create 7,600 jobs, with major contributions from tech giants and private equity investors.
Microsoft has pledged £22bn over four years, while Google will invest £5bn to expand its Hertfordshire data centre. US private equity firm Blackstone will provide the largest share, committing £90bn over the next decade as part of its wider European investment strategy.
The UK-US agreement will boost cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and nuclear power, with Starmer calling it “a bold signal that Britain is open, ambitious, and ready to lead.”
However, the announcement comes as some industries scale back. Pharmaceutical companies including Merck and AstraZeneca have paused or redirected investments worth over £1bn, citing rising costs and policy challenges. Meanwhile, domestic job figures remain weak, with payrolls falling by 127,000 in the year to August and vacancies down 14%.
Despite these concerns, the government hopes the new inflow of US capital will strengthen Britain’s position as a global hub for technology and innovation.
