Labour has backtracked on a decision to scrap funding for the development of a supercomputer to be housed at the University of Edinburgh, confirming a new investment of up to ?750 million.?

As part of the government¡¯s spending review, chancellor Rachel Reeves will commit to supporting a new national supercomputer at the Scottish university.?

The government abandoned funding for the project last August, describing the move as a ¡°difficult decision¡± in the ¡°face of billions of pounds of unfunded commitments¡±.?

Now, Reeves has confirmed that money will be spent on scaling up the country¡¯s computing capabilities.

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In a statement, policymakers said the project would give ¡°scientists across the UK access to compute power found in only a handful of other nations¡±.?

Edinburgh, which had already built a ?31 million facility to house the supercomputer when the funding was axed, welcomed the U-turn.?

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¡°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,¡± said Peter Mathieson, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of Edinburgh.

¡°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.¡±

Reeves said the government is ¡°investing in Scotland¡¯s renewal¡±.

¡°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,¡± she said.?

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It comes as the chancellor prepares to unveil the government¡¯s spending plans for the next three years, with some departments expecting significant funding cuts in the face of a fiscal deficit.

Earlier this week, Labour announced plans to spend more than ?22.5 billion on research annually by the end of the decade, as well as shifting ?500 million into a new Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, which will give elected mayors a say on how the money is used.

Reeves said on 8 June that the Westminster government would invest ?86 billion in research and development over the next four years, but sector groups have pointed out that the plans are ¡°broadly flat in real terms¡±.

helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com