'Swindon is like a mini Silicon Valley' says Minister 

Secretary of State and South West Minister visit Swindon

 

Swindon visit: Jim Knight MP

Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development and Jim Knight, South West Regional Minister, visited Swindon on Thursday 16 July to publicise Building Britain’s Future, the Government’s national plan for recovery from the economic downturn and securing a new wave of prosperity.

 

The pair visited the Job Centre Plus centre in Princes Street and attended a 'Question and Answer' session with representatives from the local business and public sectors at Park Street Community Centre, where SwindonWebTV grabbed an interview with Mr Knight.

 

"Swindon is like a mini Silicon Valley and with the fund we hope to encourage over £1 million of private sector funding in the technology sector," the MP told us.

 

Mr Knight also commented that a major focus was on environmental technology using the expertise in harnessing wind and solar energy from the pennisula in Devon and Cornwall and combining with the technology skills base being cultivated in Swindon.

 

"It's an exciting time for the region," he concluded.

 

University in Swindon?

 

Mr Knight was also asked if the Regional Agency has a University in Swindon on its radar, but he would not commit to saying it was a firm objective.

 

Watch our video above for the full with MP Jim Knight.