Sir Keir Starmer has announced that French and Indian companies will invest £1.3 billion into UK clean energy and AI projects.
This funding is set to create over 1,400 jobs across Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham.
The investment includes £1 billion from French private equity firm InfraVia for battery storage and a flexible energy platform, designed to boost supply when renewable energy is low.
India’s Hexaware Technologies will contribute £25 million, with Atri Energy Transition adding £300 million, both for large-scale battery storage development.
Sir Keir 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 Prime Minister is working with G7 partners to ease pressures on global energy markets, including efforts to stabilise key shipping routes and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East to help bring down costs for households.
Earlier on Tuesday, Starmer insisted Donald Trump had raised no concerns over the UK’s defence spending, just days after his defence secretary resigned and accused him of being unwilling to put enough resources into Britain’s ailing military.
The Prime Minister dismissed suggestions of a snub from the US President, despite no bilateral meetings being scheduled between the two leaders for Tuesday or Wednesday.
Sir Keir, whose relationship with Mr Trump has reportedly become more strained in recent months, maintained that the pair “get on really well”. He highlighted a “very honest and frank conversation” they shared during a two-hour working dinner on Monday.
Notably, the US President reportedly did not voice any concerns regarding Sir Keir’s recently announced policy to ban social media for under-16s. This comes despite the Trump administration previously advising the UK against implementing such a measure.
The discussions unfold against a backdrop of Mr Trump’s consistent calls for Nato allies to increase their defence spending, coupled with threats to withdraw from the alliance if nations do not contribute sufficiently.
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