The government has published its new Industrial Strategy.

One of the ‘sector deals’ announced covers artificial intelligence, which could “could dramatically reduce the amount of water needed for agriculture”. The Strategy also says that “developing a National Policy Statement for water resources to ensure that businesses and households in England can continue to rely on high quality water supplies in the future. This will be complemented by more ambitious demand and environmental management.

There’s also £725 for smart energy systems, to support clean growth, which is identified as one of the four ‘grand challenges’. The white paper also says that the government is in ‘advanced discussions’ with the nuclear industry on a sector deal that covers the supply chain, nuclear R&D and skills. There is no support in the Strategy for onshore wind.

Analysis of the Strategy in the Guardian by Michael Jacobs, former economic adviser to Gordon Brown, is generally positive. However, it also notes that it won’t do much to improve productivity or rebalance the economy away from London and the South East.