Universities UK's Chief Executive responds to 2026 Autumn Budget

It was encouraging to hear commitments to innovation and to improving employment prospects for young people in today's Budget. Universities are a vital partner of the Government in delivering its growth ambitions in every corner of the country and ministers have been clear about the positive role that universities can play. 

Expansion of the Graduate visa is a welcome recognition that it’s not just universities that benefit from international students but communities and businesses across the country. A single cohort of international students is estimated to generate a net economic benefit of over £833m in Leeds Central and Headingley and £806m in Manchester Rusholme over the duration of their studies, supporting more than 6,000 jobs in each constituency.
 

But the rules need to be stable and fair. We look forward to working with Government to iron out the details around eligibility and how compliance and outcomes will be assessed – to make sure that visa processes are fair to all.

We welcome the Government’s plans on devolution. Our members are already driving growth in every postcode, convening local authorities and communities, including those 30% based outside of mayoral authorities. We would encourage the Government to think more expansively about devolution, considering not just how public investment in innovation can drive local growth but how this can be coupled with private investment and maintaining the funding for national discovery-led research needed to generate ideas and discoveries. 

Universities know the world is changing and they are changing too; they’re working to deliver more for students, taxpayers and their local communities. We recognise the challenges that this Budget is tackling but there is more universities can do to support the Government’s ambitions here. For the university sector to have the greatest impact in creating a brighter future for the next generation, we need a long-term plan.