General · 3 February 2026
Barnsley becomes UK's first tech town.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall designates Barnsley as the UK's first "tech town," aiming to revitalize the South Yorkshire community of 250,000 people. Four US tech giants—Microsoft, Google, Cisco, and Adobe—will collaborate to integrate AI into local schools, hospitals, and businesses. Council Leader Sir Stephen Houghton highlights existing innovations, including bin lorries scanning for potholes and Evri trialling robot dogs, as the former coal-mining hub pivots from post-industrial struggles to a digital future.
Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs