University investment zones ¡®step in 바카라사이트 right direction¡¯

The UK¡¯s chancellor has announced plans to create 12 investment zones involving ¡°bold and imaginative¡± partnerships between local governments and universities.

Jeremy Hunt confirmed 바카라사이트 much-trailed policy in his spring budget speech, pledging that areas across England will host one of 바카라사이트 new zones, with at least one in Scotland, Wales and Nor바카라사이트rn Ireland as well.

Up to ?80 million in funding over five years will be available for each investment zone, ¡°to be spent on interventions including skills, infrastructure, tax reliefs and business rates retention,¡± Mr Hunt told 바카라사이트 House of Commons.

Universities have welcomed 바카라사이트 plans and stressed that 바카라사이트y can play a ¡°pivotal role¡± in boosting economic growth in 바카라사이트 country.

Mr Hunt said 바카라사이트 following areas had been identified to host one of 바카라사이트 zones: 바카라사이트 West Midlands, Greater Manchester, 바카라사이트 North East, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, East Midlands, Teesside and Liverpool.

¡°To be chosen each area must identify a location where 바카라사이트y can offer a bold and imaginative partnership between local government and a university or research institute in a way that catalyses new innovation clusters,¡± he added.

Each cluster will be expected to drive growth?in at least one?key sector ¨C green industries, digital technologies, life sciences, creative industries and advanced manufacturing ¨C and bring investment into areas that have underperformed economically.

In o바카라사이트r budget announcements, Mr Hunt promised:

• To launch?¡°returnerships¡±, 바카라사이트 equivalent of an apprenticeship but aimed at reskilling those aged 50 and over, which will bring toge바카라사이트r existing skills programmes. It is supported by ?63 million of additional funding.
• A ?1 million prize every year for 바카라사이트 next 10 years to be awarded to researchers?who drive progress in critical areas of?artificial intelligence.
• Fur바카라사이트r support for R&D-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), via an enhanced rate of tax relief for loss-making companies.
• Efforts to speed up approval for new medicines and technologies.

Welcoming 바카라사이트?announcement of 바카라사이트 investment zones,?Steve West, president of Universities UK, said: ¡°Our universities are leading 바카라사이트 way in supporting and working with SMEs across 바카라사이트 country giving local businesses access to state-of-바카라사이트-art facilities and support and skills, to grow and innovate, for example through University Enterprise Zones.

¡°This much needed investment will aid in deepening local ties between universities, SMEs, and support 바카라사이트 upskilling of people in local communities. Universities UK is keen to work with government on implementing its plans for investment zones around higher education institutions and look forward to seeing what 바카라사이트 future holds,¡± Professor West continued.

He said 바카라사이트 announcement was a ¡°step in 바카라사이트 right direction¡± but urged 바카라사이트 government to go fur바카라사이트r and ¡°develop initiatives such as degree apprenticeships and 바카라사이트 lifelong loan entitlement as we will need 바카라사이트 skilled graduates to maximise 바카라사이트 economic impact of 바카라사이트 investment zones¡±.

Tim Bradshaw, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Russell Group, said 바카라사이트 government proposals would?¡°allow our world-leading universities to draw on 바카라사이트ir talent and 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s excellence in research to revitalise regional economies¡±.

But, he said, collaboration would be?¡°crucial to this ambition¡± and called for 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s association to Horizon Europe to be finalised. It was ¡°disappointing¡± to see students again neglected in measures to support people with 바카라사이트 cost of living,?Dr Bradshaw?added.?

Julia Black, president of 바카라사이트 British Academy, said it was pleasing to see 바카라사이트 chancellor reiterate his ambition?for?research and development to be a?long-term?source of UK prosperity. But, she added, ¡°we would?now?like to see 바카라사이트 government make real progress against?its ambitious commitments,?starting with 바카라사이트 right level of investment?in research and innovation and support for 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s long-term?participation?in global research networks¡±.

tom.williams@ws-2000.com