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8 Connecting EnglandRecommendationsin SummaryA Development Framework for EnglandThe Commission recommends the development of a Development Framework for England (DFE)that would:■ create a shared national infrastructure framework – of ports, flows and networks, includingeducation and skills networks, on which all regions depend;■ manage the inter-regional impacts of ‘local’ decisions and region-proof governmentinvestment decisions;■ enable confident decision-making based on evidence at national, regional and local levels;■ demonstrate joined-up government spending and investment;■ ensure best value from the current level of government expenditure, reduce duplication, andshow how investments made in different sectors can reinforce each other;■ avoid the enormous time delays and costs in delivering major projects that arise because ofthe lack of an agreed national framework and priorities; and■ demonstrate how local and sectoral programmes of action add up to the required scales anddirections of change sought by national policies for economic growth, social justice and theenvironment.The development of a Development Framework for England according to the multi-level modelset out in this report is the principal recommendation of the Commission.In addition the Commission recommends the following stand-alone actions to ensure thesuccessful and sustainable development of the country. The Commission believes these actionsmust be addressed whether a DFE comes into being or not.Key RecommendationsUniversity research: The Department of Trade and Industry’s Science and Innovation Strategyshould consider the wider economic role of universities in promoting the competitiveness ofEngland alongside the accepted priority of funding by excellence and opportunity. This would besignificant in releasing untapped potential in universities in the North, the Midlands and theSouth West, particularly at a time when the Government is encouraging the growth of urbancentres with more devolved governance.Region-proofing: Planning decisions on nationally significant research facilities should beregion-proofed as part of a public process to ensure that their regional development implications