UK Government U-turn on Edinburgh supercomputer project

Scotland will host the UK’s most powerful supercomputer following a major U-turn on the UK Government’s decision to suspend funding for the University of Edinburgh project. 

The institution had been selected to host the site by the previous Conservative government, which had promised a total of £800m to the project. However, in August, Labour scrapped the financial support claiming it was part of “unfunded commitments”. 

Since then, Labour and Conservative MPs have repeatedly clashed over who is responsible for the decision to scrap the project, with the Tories repeatedly denying the allegation.  

The new £750m “landmark” investment will “place Scotland at the forefront of the UK’s technological revolution”, Scottish secretary Ian Murray said. 

The funding will be confirmed in the spending review, set to be announced later today, and will put Edinburgh “at heart of the UK’s plans to unlock a decade of national renewal via artificial intelligence”, the government has said. 

Murray added: “The £750m investment in Edinburgh’s new supercomputer places Scotland at the cutting edge of computing power globally. 

“This will see Scotland playing a leading role in creating breakthroughs that have a global benefit - such as new medicines, health advances, and climate change solutions. This is the plan for change – delivering real opportunities and economic growth for communities across Scotland.” 

The new supercomputer will give UK scientists access to the computer power needed to deliver next-generation breakthroughs, from personalised medical treatments to solutions to combat climate change. 

It will work alongside the AI research resource, a network of the UK’s most powerful supercomputers which is expected to be fully operational soon. The resource has already supported research into Alzheimer’s vaccines and cancer treatments, by allowing scientists to test millions of potential drugs virtually. 

Technolgy secretary Peter Kyle, said: “From the shipyards of the Clyde to developments in steam engine technology, Scottish trailblazers were central to the industrial revolution – so the next great industrial leap through AI and technology should be no different.   

“Basing the UK’s most powerful supercomputer in Edinburgh, Scotland will now be a major player in driving forward the next breakthroughs that put our Plan for Change into action.” 

The new supercomputer will exceed the capacity of the UK’s current national supercomputer, ARCHER2, which is also based at the Scottish institution. 

Principal of the University of Edinburgh, Peter Mathieson said: “This significant investment will have a profoundly positive impact on the UK’s global standing, and we welcome the vast opportunities it will create for research and innovation. 

“Building on the University of Edinburgh’s expertise and experience over decades, this powerful supercomputer will drive economic growth by supporting advancements in medicine, bolstering emerging industries and public services, and unlocking the full potential of AI. We look forward to working alongside the UK government and other partners to deliver this critical national resource.” 

The announcement comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer opened London Tech Week by unveiling £1bn of extra funding to scale up the country’s AI compute power twenty-fold. 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “We are investing in Scotland’s renewal, so working people are better off.  

“Strong investment in our science and technology sector is part of our Plan for Change to kickstart economic growth, and as the home of the UK’s largest supercomputer, Scotland will be an integral part of that journey.”

More details on the system will be set out in the government’s upcoming Compute Roadmap, which we will be published this summer.