Oxbridge corridor will 'create jobs for everyone'

The government has said its plan to create a "European Silicon Valley" between Oxford and Cambridge will generate jobs across all sectors - not just for those at the top of the science and technology industry.

The Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor proposal was unveiled by Chancellor Rachel Reeves earlier this year.

Lord Patrick Vallance, the minister responsible for leading the plan, said it was about creating jobs and opportunities to have "a thriving community right the way across the corridor".

His comments came during a visit to Oxford Science Park and Oxford University alongside a delegation of Saudi Arabian government officials and industry leaders.

The plans are "definitely not just about the few people at the very high end of academia," Lord Vallance said.

"Because this is such a powerhouse of invention, it will also fuel the economic growth of the county, so this is definitely about making sure we get the benefits of all these opportunities felt by everybody," he said.

"Everything begins to benefit as a result of the growth that comes from these science and technology companies."

The plans for East-West Rail, which would connect the two cities, are a major part of the growth corridor.

Lord Vallance said: "The ability to link between Oxford and Cambridge is one that people have known is important for a very long time.

"The rail is the very backbone of allowing this to work effectively."

The government hope their growth corridor will add up to £78 billion to the UK economy.

"If we don't do that at speed then we're going to lose out to other countries, and ultimately that's going to do a disservice to all of us," Lord Vallance added.

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