Minister says government support will boost Cambridge’s growth and investment
Pat McFadden claims transport and housing development will strengthen the city’s role in science, technology, and the economy
Government backing for the Oxford-Cambridge corridor will help Cambridge attract more investment, grow its population, and strengthen its position as a centre for science and technology, according to Pat McFadden, Minister for Intergovernmental Relations.
Speaking last week, McFadden said the government recognises the importance of supporting transport and housing development in the area. “More people can live here. More people can work here,” he said. “That’s not just good for the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor. It’s good for the whole United Kingdom.”
He highlighted Cambridge’s global reputation in research and innovation and suggested that further development would help the city continue to drive economic growth. “We've got an absolutely priceless set of scientific and technological assets here,” he said. “We should back what makes us great in the future.”
McFadden also pointed to Cambridge’s role within the wider corridor, linking it with Oxford and Milton Keynes. “These places want to grow,” he said. “They want to attract more people, they want to attract more investment.”
He added that the Chancellor’s support for the project reflects its potential to contribute significantly to the economy. “It has the potential to add so much to the country over the next few years,” he said. “And that’s the potential that we want to back.”