Why universities are critical to an industrial strategy

We've set out what universities can offer to the UK Government's industrial strategy and individual sector plans to deliver it.

The government are designing a ten-year plan for the UK’s industry. This will set out plans for the country’s economic development over the next decade, create stability for businesses and signal where investors should put their money.

They’ve picked eight sectors that can grow the UK economy:

1. advanced manufacturing
2. clean energy
3. creative
4. defence
5. digital and tech
6. financial services
7. life sciences
8. professional and business services

Each of these sectors will have a sector plan. These will set out the skills and infrastructure each sector needs to grow and support the economy.

The sector plans, and the final industrial strategy, must include universities in their design and delivery to maximise growth.

Universities can contribute to the industrial strategy by:

• To ensure that universities can contribute to the fullest, the government must ensure that the higher education sector is on a sustainable financial footing.
• Funding should flow through the industrial strategy to incentivise collaboration between businesses and universities.
• Skills England should play a role in the sector workforce plans so that the industrial strategy connects what local areas need with what universities can provide.
• The government must ensure there are ways that universities in areas without a mayor can contribute to local growth and growth in the industrial strategy key sectors.
• The government should come up with options to encourage investment in university spin-outs and student start-ups.

For all recommendations, see the full publication (pdf).

See the full publication, including recommendations and case studies: Why universities are critical to an industrial strategy (pdf)