
Mayor Dr Nik Johnson statement on Chancellor’s kickstarting the economy speech
Statement from Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, on plans unveiled today (Wednesday 29th January) by the Chancellor.
“The Chancellor’s push to break down barriers to growth is exactly what Cambridgeshire and Peterborough needs. Our region is a global powerhouse of innovation, home to world-leading life-sciences, tech, and engineering firms, and a net contributor to the Treasury.
But, as we have long called for, it’s crucial we get the right infrastructure and investment to ensure our local economy remains internationally renowned and continues to create new skilled jobs and opportunity for local people.
That’s why the Chancellor’s focus today on delivering game-changing projects to accelerate our region and be a cornerstone of the £78 Billion Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor, is so encouraging.
I was delighted the Fens Reservoir, something we have been pushing for, has been backed – helping secure our future water supply. With this approval, well-planned growth can be better supported, giving businesses and investors more confidence to plan for the future. The reservoir itself can also become a tourist and leisure destination, offering a fantastic new feature for the Fens.
Better transport links are central to the Government’s plan to kick start the economy. For us, the renewed commitment to East West Rail connections and the A428 upgrade will help provide those faster, more reliable links that will better connect our region to innovative business and opportunity along the Growth Corridor.
Our economy is an already renowned world-class hub for science and technology, and the Chancellor’s backing of a large-scale Innovation Hub at the University of Cambridge is the kind of ambition we need to help keep it cutting edge. This will help maintain our position as a leader in research and development and increase the rate of new start-ups which could be the next ‘unicorns’. New enterprise created will also benefit existing businesses in supply chains right across our region, spreading the benefits of growth further. Such hubs already play a key role in leading innovation cities like Boston and Paris.
And the confirmation of Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital as part of New Hospital Programme announced earlier this month is another sign of the Government’s rounded approach to investing in a region’s growth. Better healthcare is absolutely central to any thriving place.
The Chancellor’s speech today represents a fantastic endorsement of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough as key to Britain’s economic future.
We’re already working with Government on a comprehensive Local Growth Plan for the region – ensuring the potential of our key industries is realised, while also making sure communities aren’t left behind.
With more devolution and powers for Mayors on the horizon, there’s a golden opportunity to work hand-in-hand with Government, councils, and local partners to deliver long-term, sustainable growth that the county needs, and which will benefit our businesses, residents and communities.”
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