Here is our response to a number of announcements regarding Cambridge made by Government in the Spring Budget today, and new reports on Cambridge published by Government:

“The infrastructure gap faced by Cambridge limits the city region’s economic potential, it also threatens the quality of life of its residents. Announcements from Government today to help address key water, transport, and health aspects of Cambridge’s infrastructure gap are therefore a welcome recognition of the challenges and a first step which must be built upon.

Today’s announcements follow concerted and determined work from stakeholders across the public and private sector in Cambridge, including Cambridge Ahead, to engage with Government to advocate for these priorities.

As Government’s focus on Cambridge now enters its next phase, it remains vital to the long-term impact and success of this initiative that a strong collaboration between national and local is at the heart of the process. This collaboration is key to balancing the local and national benefits to be generated by the Cambridge economy. Cambridge Ahead will continue to produce and provide analysis that deepens Government understanding of the case for Cambridge, and work with all policymakers to aid their role in developing plans to unlock Cambridge’s full potential.”

 

Notes: Announcements and publications made by Government today include:

  • The government is setting out its ambitious plan to grow the economy of the city and deliver new homes by 2050. Alongside this, Spring Budget confirms the future development corporation in Cambridge will receive a long-term funding settlement at the next Spending Review. The government is providing an additional £7.2 million to unlock improvements to local transport connections between the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and the city, and making £3 million available for Cambridge University NHS Trust to support plans for growth. The government is also on track to deliver a set of water saving measures which if delivered as planned could unlock more than 9,000 homes in the Cambridge area, as confirmed in the Joint Statement from Defra, DLUHC and the Environment Agency that is published today
  • The Case for Cambridge (publishing.service.gov.uk)
  • Addressing water scarcity in Greater Cambridge: update on government measures – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)