Liverpool City Region Mayor signs landmark innovation deal with South Korea's 2nd City

A landmark innovation deal was signed and paves the way for greater co-operation between 2 of the world's most famous port cities. Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Park Heong Joon, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, in South Korea, aimed at enhancing:- 'mutual understanding, prosperity and friendship.'

The 5 year deal will see the 2 areas commit to active co-operation initially linked to innovation in:- digital, smart cities, clean energy and net zero, and health.  Busan is South Korea's 2nd City and the world's 5th busiest port, serving as Korea's biggest trading hub.

Under the MOU, the City Regions will foster a strategic innovation partnership and promote science, education, trade and investment exchanges.

The Liverpool City Region is 1 of only 4 places selected to take part in the Government's UK Republic of Korea Innovation Twins Programme, delivered by Connected Places Catapult. The programme looks to leverage Liverpool's world class innovation ecosystem to drive international collaboration.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "As a Region based around 1 of the world's most famous port cities, our area has always been as an open and outward looking place. While our reputation for culture, music and sport may precede us on the global stage, we know that our unique strengths and assets in science, innovation and research are what continues to attract partners from around the world to want to work with us. I believe we have all the capabilities, assets; and the political will; to take our area to the forefront of UK science and innovation and take advantage of the many thousands of jobs and training opportunities it will bring to our area. I'm looking forward to continuing to strengthen our Region's ties with South Korea as we enter a new chapter in our partnership. Working together, I want to take advantage of our shared strengths and unique assets to build a stronger future for our areas and our people."

Park Heong-Joon, Mayor of Busan Metropolitan City in South Korea said:- "The City of Liverpool is amazing. I've been impressed that historical and contemporary features harmoniously coexist. Today's MoU and the Innovative Twins project will become a catalyst to further bolster bilateral ties between the 2 port cities across various avenues from green technology, smart City, R&D, port regeneration, to culture. The 2 cities share much in common; not to mention, the 2 cities are home to great musicians, Beatles and BTS. I believe the cities have got huge potential to facilitate co-operation in the years to come and this will mutually benefit our people in the Regions. And definitely more Koreans and Brits will visit each City more."

Busan's high level visit includes representatives from:- Busan Techno Park and Busan Metropolitan Corporation and features tours of some of the City Region's world class innovation facilities at:- Sci-Tech Daresbury, Glass Futures and Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, including:- the University of Liverpool's Materials Innovation Factory and the Digital Innovation Facility.

The Liverpool City Region has been fostering stronger ties with Busan for more than a year, with active support from the UK Embassy in Seoul and the UK's Connected Places Catapult, part of Innovate UK.

Senior officials from K Water, the Korean state water corporation that operates the world's largest tidal power scheme at:- Sihwa Lake, were in the Liverpool City Region last December to sign a deal to co-operate over development of the Mersey Tidal Power project; which has the potential to generate enough predicable, renewable energy to power up to 1 million homes for 120 years. The move followed initial contact at:- COP26, in Glasgow, and a subsequent visit by a Combined Authority delegation to South Korea.

The Region's Innovation Prospectus, highlighting its world class innovation and investment opportunities worth more than £12bn, was then translated into Korean; a move welcomed by the UK's Ambassador to Korea, Colin Crooks, who hailed the City Region as a:- 'standout example' of how UK Regional authorities can develop international trade links.

Liverpool's Universities have also strengthened links with Busan and the Vice Chancellors of the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University and the Director of Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine have all met the South Korean delegation, as have the Science and Technology Facilities Council team located at:- Sci-Tech Daresbury, the Primary Northern Hub for UK Research and Innovation.

UK Ambassador to South Korea, Colin Crooks, said:- "With 2023 marking 140 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and the Republic of Korea, I am particularly pleased to see 2 of our most vibrant Regions establishing closer links. The Liverpool City Region and the City of Busan are natural partners in so many ways. We look forward to continuing our support of this partnership and the civic, business and research cooperation opportunities that will be created."

Connected Places Catapult's Chief Executive, Nicola Yates OBE said:- "This Memorandum of Understanding between Liverpool City Region and Busan marks the start of a longer term collaboration, to develop outcome based, sustainable relationships that deliver tangible projects of innovation collaboration, creating jobs and growth in both Regions. The scale of the opportunity is large, with the potential to unlock new business and research opportunities for innovative companies, and cross-city learning. Connected Places Catapult is delighted to have helped make this happen."

New LGA analytics shows that future of local buses at risk as Councils face £450 million bill to prop up national free bus pass scheme

AN alarming £452 million had to be spent by Councils in 2022 to prop up the Government's national concessionary bus fares scheme, new Local Government Association analysis shows.

The national scheme, which Councils are legally obligated to administer in England, provides older and disabled people with free off-peak travel on all local bus services with Local Authorities responsible for reimbursing bus operators for journeys made by those with a pass.

Ahead of its Annual Conference which begins next week in Bournemouth, the LGA said the way the concessionary travel scheme is funded by Whitehall is unfit for purpose and prevents Councils from investing in more reliable bus services.

New LGA analysis reveals there was a £452 million gap in the funding Councils receive from Government for the scheme compared to the actual number of journeys made in 2022.

This is forcing Councils to plug the gap from their own stretched budgets. Discretionary bus services; such as:- free peak travel, community transport services, reduced fares and School transport; have had to be scaled back by local authorities across the country for them to top up the statutory national scheme from their discretionary budgets.

Recently announced measures such as the extension of the £2 bus fare scheme and extension of emergency funding support for bus operators will help encourage people back to bus travel and sustain many lifeline routes.

The LGA said the Government also needs to fully fund the concessionary fare scheme to ease the pressure on stretched local budgets, protect cherished bus services and help people travel during the cost of living crisis as part of a long term, reformed bus funding model.

This would allow Councils and operators to reverse historic cuts made to local services, introduce new routes, keep fares down, get people out of their cars and make our air cleaner.

Cllr Linda Taylor, Transport spokesperson for the LGA, said:- "The free bus pass is a lifeline for many in our communities. It allows many vulnerable residents to go shopping, pick up medication, and attend doctors' appointments. Our analysis shows that the scheme is not being adequately funded, leaving Councils to try and find nearly half a billion pounds every year from their own overstretched budgets to keep it running. This is completely unsustainable. It is vital this scheme is properly funded so Councils can protect bus routes and reinvest in local networks. By providing long term funding for buses across the country, Council can invest in improved services, attracting more people to use public transport."