University of York ready to respond to global scientific challenge
Posted on 2 December 2004
In his pre-Budget Report to the Commons today (Thursday), the Chancellor emphasised that to meet the global economic challenges of the next decade, Britain must invest in its "scientific genius and world-class universities".
He announced a £2.5 billion investment in a 10-year science framework and a raft of measures designed to establish Britain’s world leadership in science, education and skills including promoting York, along with Manchester and Newcastle as 'Science Cities'.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of York, Brian Cantor, said the University was already taking up the challenge to help to make Britain a world leader in science.
We welcome the Government’s mission to establish Britain as a world leader in science, education and skills by capitalising on the strengths of world-class universities such as York
Professor Brian Cantor
He said: "We welcome the Government’s mission to establish Britain as a world leader in science, education and skills by capitalising on the strengths of world-class universities such as York.
"York is already a 'Science City' and has been so since 1997. York was singled out as an exemplar by the Lambert Report on links between universities and business.
"The University has established of nearly 20 spin-out companies which has helped to establish York as a centre of scientific innovation. The Chancellor’s announcement that he will remove tax barriers to the formation of spin-out companies will further assist the University in its objective of harnessing the research skills of our scientists as an economic driver for the city, the region and the country as a whole.
"We will continue to work with the City of York Council and Yorkshire Forward to invest in the expertise of our scientists to the benefit of the wider community.
"We are committed to widening participation in science learning. It is no coincidence that the University of York is the home of the National Centre for Science Learning which is seeking to engage children and to inspire them about science."