Shadow Business Secretary urges deeper university and business links
The Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Rt Hon Kenneth Clarke QC MP, today urged universities to deepen their links with business and also called for “a change in culture and practice across the public sector”. He said this should be “accompanied by an end to the duplication of bureaucracy and a huge reduction in the burden of regulation.” |
Speaking to the North East Economic Forum in Tynemouth today (February 5 2010) Mr Clarke said “many quangoes have been created. Very few disappear.” He said the country had “multiple inspectorates” and needed to “get this burden down”.
He shared a platform with the Chairman of the Science and Industry Council, Bob Coxon, and the Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria University, Professor Andrew Wathey, who is also Deputy Chair of the University Alliance, which represents research-engaged and business-focussed institutions from across the sector.
The Shadow Secretary of State said the country had “gross” public spending levels and that government should act swiftly to tackle the national debt. He also said that a realistic approach to the extent of the problem was required by organisations throughout public life.
Professor Wathey earlier told the audience: “We all recognise that our investment priorities today and into the future will need to be leaner and more concentrated. I do not share the more alarming statements that have been made about a sector at risk of being "brought to its knees" by cuts, and Northumbria has been frank and realistic about the need to operate even more efficiently and within the means available. The public would expect universities to bear their own share of the belt tightening ahead. The element of protection afforded to research and innovation – which all parties have acknowledged will aid recovery - is a positive step, and we welcome the Funding Council’s intention to continue to fund the very best work, wherever it is found, and at a higher rate.”
He added “Investing in high quality research and education, doing even more to strengthen the employability of graduates and the higher education of the professional workforce, and preparing people for the highly skilled (and still relatively new) sectors which are critical to our modern economy is a principal focus at Northumbria.”
Mr Clarke said that “universities’ links with businesses, as part of their
broader mission, needed to go much further”.
Date posted: February 5, 2010
