The UK government has announced £5.5 million in funding to support initiatives designed to reduce regulatory burdens through the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO). This initiative, led by David Willetts since March, aims to promote new technologies by eliminating bureaucratic barriers and expediting their market introduction. The funding range, from £50,000 to £1 million, targets projects led by regulators and local authorities, with a focus on innovation as a pathway to economic growth. Successful projects will run from October 2025 to September 2026, following an application deadline in July 2025.
"Thanks to the RPF [Regulators' Pioneer Fund], we've been able to start building the groundwork for using drones to make services more efficient," said Shanika Mahendran, cabinet member for planning and placemaking and Milton Keynes City Council.
"It's given us a chance to explore what safety checks and rules we need to follow so we can move from just testing drones to using them in the long-term."
David Willetts expressed optimism for the RIO's role, emphasizing its commitment to speeding up regulatory processes and fostering innovation in emerging technologies.
Funding will support projects led by regulators and local authorities, offering between £50,000 and £1m to streamline bureaucratic obstacles hindering technological advancement.
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