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The UK government will activate a strategic plan to create a British competitor to Silicon Valley around Oxford and Cambridge, the latest sign that the Labor Party focuses on highly productive fields in the economy in its endeavor to achieve growth.
The decision to support the Oxford-Gamperbridge Arch is a return to the political preferred political The scheme was placed on the shelf Three years ago, after then conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave the priority to “settle” poor areas.
The Minister of Science, Peter Kyle, said on Monday government She wanted to double the economic output of the science -rich region, which extends between the two most famous universities in Britain, with the Center for Manufacturing and Logistics Services Milton Keynes between them.
“The Oxford-Gamperbridge Arch is already a prosperity engine, but we can go further. We are determined to unleash RResearch and development As a driving force in our mission to develop the economy in every corner of the country.
The rapid path of the plan for the competition of scientific gatherings in Boston and San Francisco in the United States will add 78 billion pounds from GDP to the UK economy by 2035, according to a research conducted by Public First Consulting for the Oxford-Cambridge Supercluster Board, which includes Industry and university leaders.
This announcement, which comes before the “Growth” speech delivered by the UK Adviser Rachel Reeves this week, welcomed the deputies of the President of Oxford and Cambridge universities, as well as senior executives of the Astrazneca UK and the ARM SIM designer.
“Its members include some of the world's largest investors, they see unusual potential, and in this commitment it is quite clear that the government also sees this.” Said
The original plan was developed in 2017 by the National Infrastructure Committee and it was a top priority for successive governors of conservatives, the last of which is Return to Saleh Under Rishi Sonak.
She promised to provide additional million houses and 700,000 jobs, but she was met with A fierce political reaction From local groups opposing new developments.
However, Sir Kerr Starmer, the Prime Minister, indicated that he is ready to confront such objections, and promised to build 1.5 million homes in this parliament and “the status of construction companies, not the barriers in the first place” to enhance the stagnant economy.
Mike Devi, the leader of the Cambridge City Council, welcomed the arc but warned that he would require investment in reasonable prices, as well as improving water and transport infrastructure.
He said: “The government must learn from the mistakes committed by the conservatives in the bow – we need to bring local communities with us and they must see the benefits.”
New money was not announced on Monday. But the government adhered to the October budget to hand over the East and West Railways project, which will revive the “Persian” railway, which linked Oxford and Cambridge until it was closed in 1967.
While they praised the aspirations of the arc, senior executives said that the plan would require improvements in infrastructure as well as reforms to provide faster planning permissions, and to facilitate access to global workers and capital.
Oxford and Cambridge suffered from water and electricity shortages, which led to temporarily banning housing and science projects by environmental organizers.
Oxcam can be a large engine of growth “with appropriate support” but “to unleash its entire potential, we need to invest, the best infrastructure, and the policies that support.” growth”.
In a sign of development difficulties in the region, a decision was taken regarding the transfer of sewage work in northern Cambridge. delay For the second time in January, which actually led to the freezing of the development project of 5,600 homes.
Nick Betit, the main partner of the Bidwales Real Estate Consulting Company, said that the attraction of global investors to the region was a sign of interest in Oxcam despite the difficulties in planning and purchases.
He added: “The truth is that small changes in policies are all that this region needs to make a huge difference in its contribution to national growth.”
The government said it is committed to investing in regional growth as part of its industrial strategy, although providing such prominent support to Oxford and Cambridge risks accusations that South England is preferred In pushing for growth.
However, Dan Thorp, CEO of the Cambridge Group, said that the support of Oxcam is “not a zero game” and that Cambridge works with other groups, such as North Powerhousesse Partnership, to create “connected groups” that share growth.
He added: “The great benefit on the government's growth task can come from linking what is happening in Oxcam to the rest of the United Kingdom.”
