A decision which excludes northern universities from a key fund to attract global research talent has caused disappointment
Luke Campbell is among a group of northern mayors who say they are “deeply disappointed” that universities on their patches have been overlooked in a major funding programme. The £54m Global Talent Fund is intended to help research institutions attract worldwide talent to the UK.
A group of 12 universities, including Cambridge, Oxford and Birmingham, has been selected to deliver the fund, which Chancellor Rachel Reeves said could supercharge growth. The University of Hull is not on the list, nor is any institution from Yorkshire, the North West, the North East or the East Midlands.
The decision has led to dismay with a group of eight northern mayors penning an open letter in which they say northern universities’ contribution to the UK economy is being undermined. Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell is among neighbouring regional counterparts including Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin; Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith and Mayor of South Yorkshire, David Coppard.
The group wrote: “We are deeply disappointed that universities in the North of England, some of the best and brightest in the world, have once again been overlooked in the allocation of national innovation funding, despite their research credentials.
“The North is home to some of the UK’s most innovative, high-performing universities. These institutions drive the development of lifechanging technologies and work hand in hand with industry to create good jobs and grow the economy. Their exclusion from the Global Talent Fund undermines their contribution to the UK’s economic success, as well as the Government’s stated commitment to rebalance our economy.
“As Mayors, we stand ready to support the Government in its mission to make the UK a global science superpower. But to truly deliver on that mission, investment in innovation must reflect the full breadth and depth of talent that exists across the country, not continue to be concentrated disproportionately in London and the South East.
“We are calling for urgent reform to ensure greater transparency and fairness in how public research and innovation funding is allocated. Strategic funds like this must support national growth, and that means recognising and investing in the full potential of the North of England and the fifteen million people we collectively represent.
“We urge UK Research and Innovation to think again, review this disappointing decision and work together with us on creating a new funding model that truly reflects the strengths and aspirations of all of our regions, to build a brighter Britain that works for us all.”
This week Chi Onwurah, who is chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, wrote to Patrick Vallance, Science Minister, asking for details of the decision making process surrounding allocation of the Global Talent Fund. She said the decision is at odds with the Government’s mission to boost opportunities in all areas of the country.
Ms Onwurah said: “It’s disappointing that whilst the Global Talent Fund distribution recognises the role of devolved nations, it doesn’t recognise the importance of regions within England. The Fund misses out the north of England entirely, despite being home to many world-class research institutions that would benefit massively from extra help to attract top researchers from abroad.”