March 13, 2026 — Cork, Ireland — UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced £937 million in new investments from Irish companies into the UK ahead of the second UK-Ireland Summit, expected to create approximately 850 jobs across London, Doncaster, South Wales, Scotland, and projects linking Northern Ireland and Wales.
The announcement, covered by major outlets including BBC News and Yahoo Finance UK approximately 22 hours ago, underscores post-Brexit economic ties between the two nations.
Key Investments
Specific commitments include:
- Gas Networks Ireland: £170 million.
- Amach, focusing on AI and cloud services for aviation: £45 million, creating 150 jobs.
- Focus Capital Partners: £3 million.
- Cork-based Ayrton Group: Over £1 million to expand AI services and double its London team.
These investments span growth sectors, as detailed in UK Government statements.
Job Creation and Regional Impact
The 850 jobs will be distributed across multiple UK regions, with specific mention of opportunities in Doncaster, as reported by the Doncaster Free Press. ITV News highlighted roles in South Wales and Scotland, alongside cross-border projects.
Energy and Infrastructure Focus
Energy initiatives feature prominently, including an electricity interconnector between Northern Ireland and Ireland to reduce costs, and a £740 million private investment for a Wales-Ireland link to power 570,000 homes, according to BBC coverage.
Starmer’s Remarks
Starmer described the developments as part of “flourishing” UK-Ireland ties in growth, energy, and security amid global volatility, such as the Iran war.
Closer ties with Ireland are delivering for the UK in a volatile world as leaders attend second UK-Ireland Summit.
This quote from the UK Government reflects official sentiment ahead of the Cork summit on March 12-13.
The Evening Standard also covered Starmer’s emphasis on bilateral relations.
Broader Coverage
Additional mentions appear on LinkedIn via the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce, Reddit’s r/ukpolitics, and X, including from former Irish ambassador @DanMulhall. No major contradictions were noted across sources, emphasizing economic strengthening.