MPs on the Commons Science and Technology Committee have described plans for UKCMRI as "impressive and clearly in the public interest." In their report into the project, the MPs said UKCMRI was of national importance with the potential to deliver significant improvements in health. They added the project had "an excellent chance in delivering its primary objective of benefiting mankind".
Paul Nurse, the Chief Executive and Director of UKCMRI said: "This is a positive report which concludes that the institute should be located with universities and hospitals and good transport links. This is a key part of the vision for the institute and fundamental to its success."
The committee said it was essential that UKCMRI develop plans to ensure benefits were felt across the UK. Responding to the report, Paul Nurse agreed: "UKCMRI is at the heart of an immensely powerful cluster of academic and medical institutions. It will also be within easy reach of national and international collaborators through St Pancras International, King's Cross and Euston as well as London's five international airports. The institute will attract and train scientific leaders. It will support them to move to lead laboratories in universities, institutes, hospitals and companies throughout the UK. This will encourage and increase the collaborations UKCMRI has been set up to foster."
The MPs also praised the institute's efforts to engage with the local community at St Pancras and Somers Town; and they welcomed "the measures which have been included [in the project] to meet local needs".
Paul Nurse said: "We are working on several ways to improve local health and well-being including a healthy living centre, local job opportunities, local business support, local environmental improvements, funding local social housing refurbishment, and improvements to community safety."
