Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what discussions he has had with the Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone on opportunities for local people to access jobs and training.

The Government is working closely with the Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone partners to maximise local jobs, skills, and training opportunities. This includes bringing together North Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Government, DataVita, and local skills and education partners to build on skills, training, employment, and community benefit opportunities associated with the Lanarkshire AI Growth Zone.

Apprentices are already working on site alongside a growing local workforce, while industry partners are supporting Scottish AI start-ups and widening access to AI careers. The AIGZ is also creating wider economic opportunities, with Dell Technologies recently announcing the relocation of its Scottish headquarters to Lanarkshire because of the AIGZ.

The Government continues to work with North Lanarkshire Council, the Scottish Government, and local partners to ensure that the benefits of AI investment support local communities and skills development.