Labour Scraps Ambitious £800 Million Supercomputer Plan in Edinburgh, Announced by Conservatives Last Year, Due to £1.3 Billion Budget Shortfall

In a surprising move, the new Labour government has decided to cancel a massive supercomputer project originally announced by the Conservatives.

This planned supercomputer, set to be 50 times more powerful than any existing computer in the UK, was expected to cost around £800 million.

The cancellation is part of a broader £1.3 billion cut in funding, which also includes scrapping a £500 million AI initiative.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has indicated that the economic conditions left by the previous administration are more challenging than anticipated.

As a result, the government is prioritizing other commitments, including reaching a deal with striking junior doctors.

Plans Under Review

The supercomputer project was unveiled by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) less than a year ago.

However, the current Secretary of State, Peter Kyle, has announced that the project will not move forward.

According to the department, the budget for this initiative was never properly allocated under Rishi Sunak’s government.

The exascale computer was slated to be based in Edinburgh and was touted by the Tories as a ‘game-changer’ in advancing research in fields like medicine and nuclear fusion.

Financial Implications

It’s understood that Edinburgh University has already invested over £30 million in preparing for this new supercomputer.

Despite having existing supercomputers in Edinburgh and Bristol, the cancellation means the UK will miss out on one of the world’s few exascale models.

Reactions and Statements

Andrew Griffith, the shadow minister for the Conservatives, did not address claims about the project being ‘unfunded.’ However, he noted that officials had advised that the department was likely to underspend its budget for the current financial year.

The University of Edinburgh, a long-time leader in supercomputing, expressed disappointment but has not yet made an official comment.

A spokesperson from DSIT explained that the government is making tough but necessary spending cuts across all departments to address billions of pounds in unfunded commitments.

They stressed that these decisions are crucial for restoring economic stability and advancing national growth objectives.