CBI responds to Prime Minister's 'Innovation Nation' speech
09 October 2026
Naomi Weir, CBI Technology and Innovation Director, said:
“The Prime Minister is right to put innovation at the heart of the UK’s growth ambitions and to lead that charge from the front. The prize now is to build the ecosystems that turn brilliant ideas into commercial success at scale by connecting innovative firms with anchor customers, supply chains and investors, and backing regional strengths to become nationally and internationally competitive.
“Business is ready to work with government on the detail so that greater local empowerment is matched by strong connections between regions, national capabilities and global markets. The Budget is the next big test: innovation is a package deal, and firms need the wider conditions to invest, hire, scale and stay here if we are to turn our innovation strengths into growth across the country.”
See here for more on the CBI’s approach to innovation: https://www.cbi.org.uk/articles/scale-and-retain-growing-britains-next-generation-of-global-businesses/