An influential committee of MPs has visited Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine as part of its first official visit to learn how the Liverpool City Region’s UK-leading approach to innovation is maximising its world-leading strengths and driving economic growth.
The House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee toured Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the Infection Innovation Consortium (iiCON). They visited the Accelerator building, met with iiCON's Founding Director Professor Janet Hemingway and academic researchers, and toured the building's cutting-edge research and clinical facilities. MPs heard about LSTM and iiCON's role in supporting local innovation and economic growth, as well as innovation in clinical trials, including LSTM's forthcoming Human Challenge Facility.
During the day-long visit, MPs also visited key assets at Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, including the Materials Innovation Factory partnership between the University of Liverpool and Unilever, and the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) at Liverpool Science Park, where MPs were welcomed by Mayor Steve Rotheram.
Select Committee Chair Chi Onwurah MP chose the city region as an example of good practice after being impressed during an innovation-themed fringe event at the Labour Party Conference in September.
Home to the UK’s first sub-national Innovation Board, the Liverpool City Region has been developing its place-based innovation approach – founded on UK-leading collaborations between industry, academia and the public sector – for more than 10 years. Mayor Rotheram has set a target to invest 5% of Liverpool City Region’s GVA in Research & Development by 2030, which would deliver an estimated 44,000 extra jobs, £20m GVA, and a 10% increase in productivity.
Professor Jonathan Ball, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of LSTM, who was part of the visit, said: “Small, specialist research institutions like Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine are key to driving innovation and economic growth. We work closely with industry, local government and the health sector to support the region’s R&D and growth ambitions. Our cutting-edge clinical trials that will be expanded further through the new in-person Human Challenge Facility also demonstrate how innovation can improve health outcomes for local communities and beyond.”
The Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, Chi Onwurah MP, said: "The Committee was delighted to visit Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter today and see some of the ground-breaking science and technology developments it houses. Not only this, but the KQ is a great example of how innovation can boost regional economic growth and benefit local communities."