Mayor joins local leaders in unlocking growth discussion with Science Minister Lord Vallance

Mayor Dr Nik Johnson joined local leaders in a meeting with Science Minister and Cambridge to Oxford Corridor Growth Champion Lord Patrick Vallance to discuss how to unlock further potential in the local economy. 

Meeting at the West Hub in Cambridge on Thursday (March 20), key challenges holding back future economic growth, including infrastructure, housing and skills, were discussed. 

Lord Vallance updated the group on his ambitions for the corridor and his early priorities. He heard directly from the local leaders on how he can help address barriers to growth and support opportunities. 

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said this year that Government would go ‘further and faster’ to deliver the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor that has the potential to boost the UK economy by up to £78 billion by 2035 according to industry experts. 

She also committed to the delivery of the East West Rail link between Oxford and Cambridge, and the Fens Reservoir which would secure much needed water resource to help tackle local scarcity.  

Mayors have also been challenged to help the Government’s plans for national renewal by powering forward growth in their regions.  

Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “There is a real ambition locally to drive growth in a way that is sustainable and inclusive, and which supports the Government’s focus on long-term economic renewal.  

“The Government’s commitment to the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor is welcome, as is its determination to invest in the infrastructure that will make this growth work, such as transport, housing, and water security.” 

UK Science Minister Lord Vallance, said: “The Oxford and Cambridge Corridor is a world-leading, high-growth, innovation cluster and we need to harness the opportunities that innovators are coming up with here.  

“By backing our strengths in the Corridor, we can boost economic growth across the country, unlocking up to £78 billion for our economy, and deliver on our Plan for Change.”