NEWS > Friends for the North
Published: Tuesday, 04 Nov, 2008
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, called on 15 october 2008 for the UK to realise the full economic potential of innovation in the North of England, and learn from best practice across the world. Innovation is at the heart of economic development in the modern era, and the most successful regions will be those that succeed in realising this potential
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The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD, called on 15 october 2008 for the UK to realise the full economic potential of innovation in the North of England, and learn from best practice across the world. Innovation is at the heart of economic development in the modern era, and the most successful regions will be those that succeed in realising this potential. The report, ‘OECD Reviews of Regional Innovation: North of England, UK’, was jointly commissioned by the Northern Way and the Department for Business. In a comprehensive assessment of the North’s innovation potential, it finds many successes, led by the Regional Development Agencies, and strong progress in some areas. But it warns that the northern regions continue to underperform on some key measures, and its innovation assets need more recognition and support in competing for world class status. The OECD calls for:
• Better alignment between national and regional policies. The report calls for more recognition from national Government of key regional assets.
• Greater commitment to devolved approaches, with increased resources under the control of regional and local authorities, where they have recognised capacity and expertise.
• A broader approach to innovation – moving beyond a traditional focus on science and universities, to more business focused approaches and innovation in the service sector.
Mario Pezzini, Deputy Director of the OECD Directorate for Public Governance and Territorial Development, said: “Strong regional innovation systems are crucial to achieving national objectives and fostering sustained economic growth. But while good progress has been made in the UK, there are few formal mechanisms for recognising regional innovation related assets at a national or international level. Greater clarity is needed with respect to national priorities and criteria for recognition of excellence with respect to innovation assets outside of academic research. This clarity would allow the regions in the North to better compete for national recognition and generate robust, convincing proposals that illustrate how their assets are of national importance.”
The report highlights the government’s increased recognition of regional and local distinctiveness in innovation potential, and welcomes the joint work between the new Technology Strategy Board and RDAs Science and Innovation Minister, Lord Drayson said: "In the current economic climate innovation is key to our future economic success. Our recent innovation white paper recognised that innovation is no longer simply about science or the development of hi tech products - it is relevant to every aspect of our society. This review recognises the progress that the Technology Strategy Board has made in working with Regional Development Agencies. This is something they will continue to do, to really make the most of regional innovation assets such as a science and innovation parks or spin-out business ventures.
"Collaboration such as this will ensure that the priorities of the government and of the northern regions are joined up. By working with local universities and businesses, the Technology Strategy Board and Northern Way, will make a real impact to innovation and ensure the maximum scientific and economic contribution results for the UK as a whole."
Professor Sir Drummond Bone, Vice Chairman of the Northern Way, said: “This report should have a radical impact on the future development of systems across the North to promote our innovation potential. It demonstrates huge opportunities for businesses to modernise and embrace new technologies and ways of working. It also delivers some clear recommendations to the public sector, which has to play its part in creating the right conditions and removing barriers to faster progress.”
Responding on behalf of the Northern RDAs, Bryan Gray from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) said: “The OECD report makes a compelling case for regional and local approaches to boost innovation potential, tailored to the assets and opportunities specific to particular places. I welcome the OECD’s acknowledgement of the key role for RDAs, and the clear recommendations they have provided to strengthen that role further –through our work on innovation within our regions, and through the Northern Way.”
Alongside the OECD report, the Northern Way is publishing a review of innovation assets in the North of England which demonstrate the breadth of the regions’ potential, including:
• The process industries at Wilton, Tees Valley;
• The Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus, Cheshire;
• the Advanced Manufacturing Park, South Yorkshire.
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