Couple of political stories making the news today: first up, a report from the think tank Institute for Public Policy North on how far the North of England is behind London on a variety of economic measures. The report divided the country into regions and found the North East doing particularly badly, with all Northern regions well behind London. Of particular interest to us were the statistics on science and technology: 2009/10 investment in science and technology was nearly double in London than in any of the northern regions: £155 per head in London compared to £77 per head in the North West and £83 in the North East.

Whether or not this divide really matters in scientific research, the report covers far more than just science and the IPPR is setting up a commission called the Northern Economic Futures Commission to create a 10 year growth plan for the region. The Commission will be led by 16 leaders of industry including Astra Zeneca Therapy Area Head Rodger McMillan.

The second story appears to have been out for a while but is beginning to make headlines in the foreign press: the new UK visa which will come into being on August 9th and will allow 1000 non EU citizens who are “exceptionally talented” in Science, Humanities, Engineering or the Arts to come to the UK. Four bodies will decide on the applicants for this visa: the Royal Society (will be able to nominate up to 300 places); the Arts Council (300 places); the Royal Academy of Engineering (200 places); and the British Academy (200 places). The visa will initially last for 3 years and 4 months and may be extended.