Government selects Samlesbury as home for new £5bn National Cyber Force

The government's new National Cyber Force will be based in Samlesbury, bringing thousands of high-skilled jobs to the region.

The department has been created in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and its remit will be to protect the UK from offensive cyber operations.

It will be based near to the BAE Systems operations in Samlesbury, and will receive £5bn of funding by 2030. It is this will inspire a 'cyber corridor' of high-tech companies to open up from Manchester throughout the red rose county.

Ben Wallace, defence secretary, said: "The National Cyber Force located in Samlesbury will embrace exciting new offensive cyber technologies and provide thousands of highly skilled jobs and expertise to the North West.

"I am hugely proud and enthusiastic to see this happen, not only will it provide a catalyst for investment, but also see our levelling up agenda bring economic stimulus and tangible benefits to this region."

The decision to locate the National Cyber Force in Lancashire is the result of a combined effort between Lancashire County Council, the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Lancaster University, the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and BAE Systems.

Debbie Francis, chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership said: ''To identify Lancashire as the preferred location for the National Cyber Force is testament to the exemplary capabilities and assets we have in the county, and we are delighted these have been recognised at the highest level.

"This investment will be a real game-changer for Lancashire and will position us as one which has a thriving cyber and security innovation ecosystem on the global stage. The way in which all partners involved have worked together to ensure Lancashire was the successful location, demonstrates what can be achieved by taking a partnership approach and we are proud to be involved in such a powerful collaboration.'"

Coun Phillippa Williamson, Lancashire County Council’s leader, added: "This is a real vote of confidence in Lancashire which builds on our strengths as a market leader in tech and aerospace. This will not only create high-skilled jobs and significant investment opportunities, but will also establish the county as a global centre of excellence for cyber security.

"Nearly two centuries ago Lancashire changed the world as the cradle of the industrial revolution. We’re now set to do this again as a hub for the new digital revolution and we can look forward to a bright, ambitious future for generations to come.”

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