17th February 2011

RDAs welcome MPs’ call for Turing Centres

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England’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) welcome today’s report from the Science and Technology Select Committee on Technology and Innovation Centres.  The Committee recommends that these centres should be called “Turing Centres” in recognition of Alan Turing’s significant role in the creation of the modern computer.

The report recognises the need for the Turing Centres to be networked with existing centres and recommends the “hub and spoke” approach as a good way to spread the economic benefit of the centres throughout the UK.  RDAs have used this approach, which offers access points for businesses, and in particular small and medium size companies (SMEs), that might otherwise find it difficult to work with national centres.

RDAs have supported innovation centres in their regions to stimulate and incentivise applied research with business.   RDAs spent over £300 million per year in 08/09 and 09/10 on supporting innovation; around half of this was invested in innovation centres.  We are pleased that the value of this investment is recognised in the Committee’s report and their recommendation that the new centres must build on existing centres and expertise. 

Pam Alexander, Chief Executive of SEEDA, said on behalf of the RDAs:

“We are pleased that this report recognises the merits of existing centres developed by RDAs as part of the £300 million we have invested in business innovation in each of the last two years, and the good practice in our work.  Building on these foundations, the network of Turing Centres can help to maximise the growth of both nationally significant and local economies, and increase the UK's international competitiveness - a critical element of growing a strong economy and tackling the public deficit.”

 …ENDS…

Notes to Editors

Media Enquiries

For media enquiries, please contact:

SEEDA's press office

Email: pressoffice@seeda.co.uk

Tel: +44 (0)1483 470 155

About the RDAs 

• The RDAs are business led organisations set up by Government in 1998 to promote sustainable economic development in England. They work with key public and private sector regional partners to increase the economic performance of the regions and reduce social and economic disparities within and between regions. 
• South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) takes responsibility for national policy on science and innovation on behalf of all the RDAs.   
• One North East (ONE) are currently Chair of Chairs for the RDA national network.  
• In June 2010 the Government announced that the RDAs will close by the end of March 2012. 
• For more information on England’s Regional Development Agencies please go to www.englandsrdas.com