Cardiff Capital Region has secured approval of its second UK Gateway Review, unlocking £134 million in UK Government funding for economic growth across South East Wales over the next five years.
The successful review confirms that CCR has met the requirements set by the UK Government to continue delivering its City Deal investment programme. The assessment recognised progress on governance, delivery, and economic impact since the region’s first Gateway Review in 2021.
CCR was established in 2017 as a partnership of ten local authorities, working with the UK and Welsh Governments to deliver a £1.2bn City Deal intended to drive jobs, investment, and growth across South East Wales.
Since the first Gateway Review, the regional partnership has expanded the scale of its activity. It has moved from five investments in delivery at the time of the initial review to a broader portfolio of projects now under way.
The latest review highlighted CCR’s focus on priority sectors including compound semiconductors, cyber, fintech, creative industries, and medtech. It also recognised the region’s evergreen investment approach, which is designed to generate longer-term economic returns that can be reinvested across the region.
Mary Ann Brocklesby, Chair of CCR, said: “We have come a long way since our first Gateway Review and are proud this independent assessment recognises the impact of Cardiff Capital Region’s investments.
“We have created and safeguarded more than 5,000 jobs, supported over 2,700 people to upskill or reskill, and delivered more than 83,000 square metres of new space, boosting private investment and business confidence across South East Wales.
“We are proud that our investments are helping build a more resilient regional economy and deliver lasting benefits for our communities.”
The Gateway Review process is central to how City Deal funding is released. It requires regions to demonstrate progress before further tranches of public investment are made available. For CCR, the second approval gives certainty over the next phase of projects at a time when regional economic policy is increasingly focused on productivity, skills, and sector specialisation.
Adam Price, Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, said: “Congratulations to Cardiff Capital Region on the successful outcome of their 10-year Gateway Review. The next phase of the City Deal will provide opportunities to deliver more transformational projects, particularly in key priority sectors such as compound semiconductors, with wide economic benefits in the region.
“As the new Welsh Government, we look forward to continued collaboration with CCR and other partners as the City Deal continues to improve prosperity across the South East Wales region and beyond.”
Regional investment programmes are under increasing scrutiny across the UK as governments seek evidence that public funding can translate into private investment, skilled jobs, and higher-value industry clusters. South East Wales has sought to build a proposition around advanced manufacturing, technology, life sciences, and creative industries, with compound semiconductors remaining one of its most distinctive strengths.
The release of £134 million will allow CCR to continue supporting projects aligned with that portfolio, while maintaining its role as a regional investment body spanning local authority boundaries. The wider challenge will be converting programme funding into sustained business growth, workforce progression, and commercial activity across communities that have different economic starting points.
Rt Hon Secretary of State Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said: “The UK Government has made driving economic growth and creating new jobs for the next generation in every part of Wales our number one priority.
“The release of £134 million to Cardiff Capital Region means they can build on their success, continue to grow sectors where there is huge potential for growth and help secure the economic future of South East Wales.”
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