The University of Hull is committed to supporting devolution for Hull and East Yorkshire and the significant opportunities it affords for growth and economic prosperity for the region.
Devolution will offer immediate political and financial support for a range of critical infrastructure projects. In addition, the £400m long-term investment will enable local leaders to address regional challenges, including housing, jobs, skills and transport and provide a catalyst for innovation and growth. A Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) will improve collaborative decision-making on issues affecting the whole of Hull and East Yorkshire, and an elected mayor will be a high-profile ambassador for inward investment and provide a strong voice with policymakers in Whitehall.
Universities have always played a crucial role in sparking growth and developing opportunities through their research, innovation and knowledge exchange. As the only higher education institution in Hull and East Yorkshire, we are proud of our role in the educational, social, economic and cultural development of our unique city and region.
As an anchor institution, the University is a vital driver of wealth creation via investment in local supply chains, talent pipelines (around 5,000 graduates each year), and support for the visitor economy.
Devolution unlocks the opportunity for our region to secure one of the Government’s Investment Zones, which will drive growth, increase jobs and encourage investment, underpinned by world-leading university research and innovation. These investment zones in other regions are expected to deliver huge benefits, for example the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Zone in South Yorkshire will leverage more than £1.2bn of private funding, supporting more than 8,000 jobs by 2030. We expect similar benefits could be leveraged here.
A leading foreign trading port and gateway to Europe, our region is home to world-class companies, whose private investment is crucial to future success. The devolution deal will be a catalyst for inward investment and will support the Humber industrial cluster to thrive, working with the Freeport, Future Humber and the planned Greater Lincolnshire Mayoral Combined County Authority.
We have a strong track record of collaboration in the region, and the University is actively engaged in the proposed devolution deal. We will work with a future Mayor, industry partners and the community to address major social, economic and environmental issues, including cancer care, wound healing, clean energy, carbon capture and flood resilience.
As Hull and East Yorkshire’s university we generate £1.2 billion of Gross Value Added (GVA) annually supporting over 14,000 jobs and enriching the cultural life of our communities. Working alongside the MCA and local authorities we will offer compelling reasons to live, work and grow businesses in Hull and East Yorkshire.
The University of Hull is proud to have served Hull and East Yorkshire for approaching 100 years and as the region comes together to create an ambitious future vision for growth, we look forward to working as a trusted partner in this shared endeavour.