UK Government plans 'innovation accelerator' in Glasgow

Glasgow is to become one of the UK’s ‘innovation accelerators’ as part of the UK government’s plans to “level up” the country.

Backed by £100m funding, three “accelerator” centres will focus on research and development, similar to that set up in Silicon Valley in the US.

The other two will be in Manchester and the Midlands.

The announcement comes as Michael Gove launches the government’s white paper for levelling up.

He has also urged the first ministers of the devolved nations to work with the UK government as part of the plans.

Gove said: “Our ambitious plan to unite and level up the whole UK seeks to end that historic injustice and call time on the postcode lottery.

“We will only succeed if all layers of government – UK, devolved, and local – work together.”

The white paper contains 12 “missions” covering employment, R&D, transport, connectivity, education and skills, boosting home ownership and improving life expectancy.

While most of the paper applies to England only, the UK government said it hopes to “lead on delivery” in reserved policy areas and “work collaboratively” with devolved governments on devolved areas.

This includes setting up the previously mooted Intergovernmental Relations Review to encourage collaboration.

Scottish Secretary Alister jack said: “I welcome the publication of the Levelling Up White Paper and urge the Scottish Government and local partners to work closely with us improving lives across Scotland.”

Labour MP Ian Murray said: “The government’s levelling up proposals consist of a shuffling of the deck chairs -  more slogans and strategies, with few new ideas."

He added: “Labour’s constitutional commission, led by Gordon Brown, will set out a plan to renew our United Kingdom and sort the broken status quo, not return to the division of the SNP or incompetence of the Tories.”