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Chancellor visits major R&D hubs in the North West

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne visited two of the country’s influential science hubs based in the North West.

The Chancellor visited the Hartree Centre in Daresbury and Thornton Science Park in Ince.

The Hartree Centre in Daresbury has received £113 million of government funding to substantially expand one of the world’s highest performing computers.

Thornton Science Park in Ince, which has the Natural Environment Research Council and British Geological Survey and works with the University of Chester, has received a share of £31 million of investment to researching energy technology.

As the Chancellor announced at Autumn Statement, the government is investing £5.9 billion in science as part of long-term economic plan.

The visits come a week after the Prime Minister and Chancellor set out their new six-point long term economic plan for the North West.

A key cornerstone of which is their ambition to make the north-west a global centre of outstanding scientific innovation, with a particular focus on material science, biomedicine, supercomputing and energy with major investments in the excellent universities and NHS teaching hospitals of the region.

During the visit the Chancellor also launched a consultation on Research & Development tax credits to ensure that small firms have the best possible government support to invest in research and innovation.

George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “Science is a key part of the government’s long term economic plan, and lies at the heart of our plan to build a Northern Powerhouse.

“I’ve prioritised science investment in difficult times because our ongoing ability to capitalise on our cutting edge science base will create new jobs, innovative businesses and allow us to take the lead in new markets.

“That’s why I’m launching a consultation on Research & Development tax credits today, to ensure that we’re supporting Britain’s small businesses as much as we can.

“Visiting these two innovative science parks, just twenty minutes apart but both home to extraordinary businesses conducting cutting edge research, has reinforced my determination to ensure that the north leads not only the UK, but the world, in scientific investment and innovation.”

At Thornton Science Park, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Chester, Professor Tim Wheeler, said: “This is a far sighted investment by government to ensure Britain’s future energy security over the coming decades in a manner that is both sustainable and sensitive to the need to protect our environment.”

Head of business development for the Hartree Centre, Michael Gleaves, said: “This investment will support one of the world’s leading high performance computing centres, and the next generation of scientific discovery; ensuring UK science and industry remain at the forefront of global research and development.

“The next generation of scientific discovery will be data-driven. It is really encouraging that the government recognises the critical role that the relationship between science, innovation and industry plays in supporting economic growth in the UK.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .