PLAID CALLS FOR NATIONAL INNOVATION BODY

Plaid Cymru has announced that it will create a ‘National Innovation Body’ to double Research and Development in Wales. Leanne Wood, Plaid Cymru Leader, has said that a Welsh government under her leadership would establish a National Innovation Body in order to achieve the party's target of doubling Welsh R&D (Research and Development) spending, and building a global reputation for Wales as a centre of excellence for research and innovation. The body will fund and direct a national network of sector-led Research and Technology hubs to help indigenous spin-out and start-up firms and, would work with the new WDA in attracting innovation-linked investment. It would also lead on introducing innovation in the delivery of public services. Wales's universities, and their relationship with the private sector, would play a key role in achieving these goals.

Party of Wales Leader Leanne Wood said:

"A Plaid Cymru Welsh government would make Wales a nation of innovation. Our National Innovation Body would work in partnership with the private sector, with the aim of doubling Research and Development spend, learning from international best practice.

“Wales needs to see more projects such as ESRI, SPECIFIC, Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating the Swansea Computational Foundry, the innovation and knowledge centre in Baglan, or the new Advanced Semiconductor Centre in Cardiff, in order to revolutionise the Welsh economy and generate wealth.”

A BITTER TASTE…

The Business Secretary Vince Cable’s assurances in the House of Commons to MPs this afternoon that the Westminster Government won’t let Pfizer make use the UK as a tax haven and will secure guarantees for British science jobs have a hollow ring to them. Public concerns have rightly been raised about the proposed hostile takeover of UK pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca by its US rival Pfizer. We have been here before, whatever Vince says by way of comfortable assurances, MP’s would do well to remember Cadburys, which was taken over by Craft (aided and abetted by UK City banks). Cadbury’s Bristol factory was closure announcement came within a week of the takeover, regardless of any assurances from the company. It is worth noting that Pfizer has pledged that if the deal goes ahead, 20% of the combined company's R&D workforce would continue to be based in the UK. While this sounds good, the US firm has said that these commitments would be valid for five years, or unless circumstances changed significantly...