Commenting on today’s King’s Speech, Executive Director of YU, Dr Peter O’Brien, said:
This legislative programme presents the new Government’s plan for creating the conditions and introducing the mechanisms to ‘kickstart’ growth. Looking at the new Bills in the pipeline, including for transport, housing, education, health, environment, and energy, there is a clear role for the higher education sector to play. This will be evident through universities’ distinct contribution towards improving skills, undertaking research and innovation, generating data, insights and driving knowledge exchange, and as part of the civic partnerships that universities have formed with policymakers, business, and communities across the country.
A focal point in the King’s Speech is a new English Devolution Bill, which will see additional powers given to local leaders. We welcome the proposals to extend and expand devolution. Supported by YU, our twelve member institutions are actively collaborating with Mayors and Mayoral Combined Authorities in Yorkshire, and those parts of the region moving towards devolution, and we look forward to these partnerships strengthening and delivering for local people and places.
