Today sees the opening of the "Digital Catapult", based at the University of Bradford and run in partnership with a variety of organisations, including Bradford Council.

This is a hugely exciting initiative that builds on previous work in the district to take us forward into the digital future - and give our companies, entrepreneurs and workers the best chance of competing on this highly lucrative and incredibly important international stage.

If the scheme works as planned, it will allow small businesses and start-up companies to link up with bigger firms and agencies to create a wealth of new opportunities.

It is excellent news that Bradford has been chosen to host the Yorkshire Digital Catapult, one of only three such initiatives outside London, and the opportunities it unlocks could be limitless.

Congratulations to all those who worked hard to bring this new centre to Bradford, and those who will continue to make it work over the course of the next few years.

The Bradford centre will be focusing especially on the health and social care sectors, which are becoming increasingly digitised and reliant on the latest, cutting-edge technology.

If Bradford succeeds in this, it could make the city a major name in this growing area, and bring in investment, create jobs and boost business across the district.

This is something we should all be applauding and getting behind. Technological industries are the growth area and we as a district should be not only embracing that, but preparing our school leavers to grab the top jobs.

The Digital Catapult is, to mix metaphors somewhat, a valuable added string to the bow of Bradford's growing reputation as a centre of excellence for technology.