STORY
Regional mayors in England will be given greater control over innovation funding under Government plans linked to the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund. Ministers said the change would allow local leaders to target research and development investment towards sectors with the strongest regional growth potential.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said the approach would apply to areas including Liverpool City Region, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Greater London after the next Spending Review. Two projects in Liverpool are also set to receive £23.7 million in Local Innovation Partnerships funding.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said science and technology should drive growth across every region. The policy forms part of the Government’s wider devolution and Industrial Strategy agenda, with ministers arguing that local leaders are best placed to decide where innovation funding should be directed.