In anticipation for the general election, universities want to work more closely with the next government to support a national drive to achieve stronger economic growth and improve opportunities for individuals and for communities across the whole of the UK.
“It’s clear that the UK faces many challenges. Universities can play an important role in improving many things that matter to voters, and to all political parties. From boosting the health workforce, to bringing wealth to towns and cities around the UK, Universities UK’s manifesto aims to show what universities can do for the country, with the right action from university leaders and from the next government.”
Vivienne Stern MBE
Chief Executive of Universities UK
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Today, Universities UK (UUK) which represents 142 universities across the UK revealed its manifesto requests of an incoming government which are all aimed at increasing the contribution that universities make to individual and national opportunities and growth.
They are:
- Reinstating maintenance grants for those who need them most
- Ensuring universities are adequately funded to provide high quality teaching
- Treating R&D as long term capital investment through 10 year funding cycles
- Supporting the development of partnerships that are integral to the success of local communities
- Stable and managed growth in international student numbers, backed by a pledge to maintain the graduate route visa
The higher education sector creates enormous economic benefit across the country, during the 2021 – 22 academic year it supported over a quarter of a million jobs and contributed over £130 billion pounds to the UK economy. An increase in support for universities to work with businesses to deliver local economic growth through place-based innovation funding and support start-ups and spinouts that create local opportunities, should be a priority for the next government.
Maintaining the graduate visa should also be a key agenda for the next government if we hope to ensure the UK’s higher education sector and economy remains competitive by attracting the best talent. International students make a net economic contribution to the UK of around £40 billion a year, and this benefits the whole of the UK. A commitment to stabilise and manage growth in international students will guarantee that the country continues to benefit from their impact.
With the continued financial pressures faced by students especially those from low-income backgrounds, it’s now imperative that the maintenance support package is reviewed which should include an uplift in maintenance loans and reinstating maintenance grants in England for those most in need.
To coincide with the publication of the manifesto UUK also developed regional briefings that aim to spotlight the impact of higher education across all the regions of England.
