Keir Starmer lauds major new jobs and energy package after crunch G7 talks

Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed a major jobs and energy investment package after a series of crunch G7 talks in south-west France.

The package includes investments from French and Indian firms into Britain’s clean energy infrastructure and AI sector.

The jobs are set to be focused on cities including Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham while helping deliver more stable and affordable energy.

Sir Keir hailed the announcement, adding he was "focused on making the UK the best place to do business."

TRENDING

Stories

Videos

Your Say

Among the package set to be announced by Sir Keir is a £25million investment from Indian based tech firm Hexaware Technologies to expand its UK operations, creating around 1,200 jobs in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham in AI, digital services and quantum technologies.

On top of this, there is also set to be a £1billion investment from InfraVia to invest in a pipeline of battery storage and flexible energy projects across the UK, which Labour says will help "ensure electricity remains available when demand is high, and keeping the grid stable and affordable."

There is also due to be an investment of more than £300million from Atri Energy Transition to develop large-scale battery storage and advanced manufacturing creating more than 100 jobs.

A spokesman said: "Together, these investments will support high-skilled jobs, strengthen the UK’s energy independence, and help protect households from volatile global energy prices."

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "The world is more dangerous than it has been for a generation, with conflict abroad washing up on our shores.

"That’s why I’m focused on making the UK the best place to do business by offering global investors the stability and competitive environment they need to grow, even in the face of global uncertainty.

"These investments will create thousands of high-skilled jobs, back British innovation and strengthen our energy system so families are better protected from global shocks.

"The announcements also underline the UK’s standing as a leading destination for investment, particularly in new and emerging industries such as AI and clean energy and build on the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy."

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Ed Miliband's Net Zero blitz driving investment of 'Britain's greatest industrial asset' abroad, experts warn
• GB News Spotlight: Top investment manager reveals how the rich 'have moved away from traditional markets'
• Investment giants face FCA probe as bereaved customers face 'poor service and delays'

Hexaware Technologies, which is based in India, is set to expand its presence in the UK through the expansion of its delivery centre in Birmingham and establishment of its R&D Centres in Manchester and Leeds.

CEO of Hexaware Technologies Srikrishna Ramakarthikeyan said: "Hexaware has worked alongside businesses in the UK for more than three decades.

"We have very high ambitions for our growth, creating impact in the UK and proudly supporting the Government's inclusive vision for AI.

"Our investments are focused on developing young talent, working with unique published datasets, and collaborating with government at all levels across the country to create a positive impact for the citizens of the UK.

"These investments in AI research, digital innovation for citizen services, and talent incubation will create meaningful social impact while fuelling and accelerating the UK's long-term economic growth."

As part of their £1billion investment, InfraVia said they would fund a pipeline of projects across the UK, including in "battery storage and a flexible energy platform."

CEO & Founder of InfraVia Capital Partners Vincent Levita said: "We believe the launch of Supernova Power is the kind of investment the UK needs as it moves towards a more electrified, digital and low-carbon economy.

"As digital infrastructure, EV and the wider electrification of industry increase pressure on power systems, flexible generation and battery storage will be essential to maintaining energy security, strengthening grid resilience and enabling more renewable power to come online.

"This investment is a strong vote of confidence in the UK’s energy infrastructure market and testimony on the stability of its regulation and commitment towards renewable energy."

The issue of business investment between the UK and India was brought up between Sir Keir and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi at the G7 this afternoon.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: "The leaders discussed the success of their respective visits to India and the UK and underlined the strength of the friendship between both countries.

"That relationship was delivering growth, opportunity and jobs in both countries, the leaders agreed.

"UK businesses were keen to invest and collaborate with Indian partners across a whole range of sectors, including defence and AI, the Prime Minister added.”

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter