Glasgow could become one of three Silicon Valley-style "innovation accelerators" in the UK under ambitious plans announced today by Tory ministers.
It would see the city region - home to more than one million Scots - expand its existing centres for research and development backed by a share of a £100 million Westminster fund.
It comes as the UK Government finally reveals details of its long-awaited Levelling Up plan, which seeks to end decades of London dominance of the economy.
The plans also include a new forum for island authorities all over the UK, including the Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney.
Nicola Sturgeon is now being invited by Tory ministers to join what it hailed as a “new collective effort to level up” the whole of the United Kingdom.
Boris Johnson will attempt to divert attention from the Partygate scandal by insisting the “defining mission” of his government is to “level up” the country so people have “access to the same opportunities” regardless of where in the UK they live.
The Prime Minister said: “From day one, the defining mission of this government has been to level up this country, to break the link between geography and destiny so that no matter where you live you have access to the same opportunities.”
He added: “The challenges we face have been embedded over generations and cannot be dug out overnight, but this White Paper is the next crucial step.
“It is a vision for the future that will see public spending on R&D increased in every part of the country, transport connectivity improving, faster broadband in every community, life expectancies rising, violent crime falling, schools improving and private sector investment being unleashed.”
Johnson declared: “It is the most comprehensive, ambitious plan of its kind that this country has ever seen and it will ensure that the government continues to rise to the challenge and deliver for the people of the UK.”
Michael Gove, who is leading the Levelling Up plans, insisted the UK as an “unparalleled success story with one of the world’s biggest and most dynamic economies”.
But he added: “Not everyone shares equally in the UK’s success. Great cities like Glasgow, Belfast, Swansea and Manchester, and proud towns from Aberystwyth to Armagh, to Bangor and Yeovil, have huge potential but contain inequalities which hold too many back.
“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.
“We have seen through the success of the vaccine roll-out what we can achieve when we pull together. United, there is no challenge we cannot meet.”
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