The 2025 Autumn Budget marks a pivotal event in the UK’s fiscal calendar and for its AI sector in particular. Following a Spring Statement that included major commitments to the technology sector, including funding for the UK’s Industrial Strategy and the AI Opportunities Action Plan, expectations are high that further measures to support the industry will be announced. As a sector, we’re eager to see this forward momentum continue, and to understand how the Autumn Budget will further support the UK’s growth and leadership in AI.
Estimates suggest that AI adoption could boost the UK economy by up to £400bn by 2030, driving significant productivity across every sector. We must seize on this opportunity. With a longstanding history of scientific and technological leadership – dating back to the foundations of modern computer science laid at Bletchley Park – the UK has a unique advantage in shaping the next era of technological progress by leveraging its strengths in responsible AI development, talent and security to shape the global AI agenda.
Investing in Skills and Talent
So, what should we hope to see from the Autumn Budget? Ideally, a continued commitment from the UK government to invest in digital skills and homegrown talent, from embedding digital literacy in early years education to creating more upskilling opportunities for lifelong learning.
Currently, many organisations are eager to adopt AI but lack the skills to use it effectively, preventing the technology from reaching its full productivity potential. Recent research highlights a concerning gap: while 78% of UK professionals use AI at work at least weekly, only 24% are formally trained in using it. To remain competitive, policymakers must close the skills gap by ensuring that citizens at every level, from students to senior professionals, have access to the training needed to understand, apply and push forward the frontiers of AI.
Ensuring access to capital and growth funding
Another key challenge facing the UK’s AI ecosystem is startups’ limited access to capital compared to other leading markets. While one recent poll by Barclays shows that over 60% of tech businesses view the UK as a more attractive location to grow and scale a tech business than other key markets, many still cite high fundraising costs (40%) and limited government funding and grants (33%) as major barriers.
To unlock the sector’s full potential, the Autumn Budget should prioritise government-backed growth initiatives, stronger incentives for startups and scale-ups and more specialised funding programmes for tech and AI-driven businesses. By improving access to capital and strengthening venture funding pathways, we can foster a thriving ecosystem that accelerates innovation, drives job creation and positions the UK as a true leader in the global AI economy.
This year, the tech sector has played a pivotal role in driving the UK’s growth agenda. The Autumn Budget presents an opportunity to build on this momentum, supporting further innovation and ensuring the UK remains a competitive, forward-looking economy. By addressing critical talent gaps and enhancing access to capital, the government can foster the conditions for a thriving AI ecosystem.
Heather Dawe is UST’s chief data scientist for the UK and its head of responsible AI
Read more: How to modernise your bank’s codebase without breaking it
