The West Midlands has been granted an additional £1 million to support ongoing 5G projects aimed at enhancing manufacturing efficiency and transforming adult social care in the region.
WM5G, leading the initiative on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), has received backing from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) with a total funding of £5 million. The funding supports the Advanced Manufacturing and Social Care 5G Innovation Regions projects which have already demonstrated substantial real-world benefits.
In the realm of social care, more than 350 individuals are currently experiencing improved care through the Technology-Enabled Care (TEC) system. This system has successfully reduced hospital admissions, optimised carer schedules, and introduced proactive care strategies using sophisticated monitoring and predictive analytics tools.
The additional funds will facilitate the expansion of TEC to more local authorities and will enhance collaboration with NHS Integrated Care Boards (ICBs), promoting a comprehensive approach to business planning, procurement, and culture change to foster long-term transformation.
In the manufacturing sector, the application of a private 5G network, along with sensor and data solutions at JLR’s Solihull plant, has improved operational efficiency, automation, and connectivity. This strategy is part of a broader movement to scale up advanced connectivity solutions across the UK, in line with the government’s digital transformation objectives.
The announcement of the funding by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, during his address at techuk on Monday, 10 March, supplements an earlier allocation of £4 million to the region’s 5GIR project.
Mayor Richard Parker commented, “This region has led in innovation for more than two centuries. Now the government is looking to us for solutions to real-world challenges that can improve lives and fire up our economy. Our next-generation 5G-powered technologies are already helping hundreds of local people live more independently, driving productivity, and helping businesses grow. We have the people, ideas, and tech to modernise public services, attract major investment, and create well-paid jobs. That’s my plan to deliver a new era of prosperity for all our communities.”
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