A Bright Future
A Russell Group Manifesto for the UK
Our vision is for a healthy, green and more resilient country with a thriving innovation driven economy. A Bright Future is a Russell Group manifesto that shows how the new Government can harness the strength of research-intensive universities to make this a reality.
Achieving this will need a renewed focus on high-level skills, harnessing new technologies effectively, and using the best research to advance healthcare innovation, tackle climate change and rejuvenate business.
Our world-class research-intensive universities are already working hard to make this vision a reality: they are delivering real and sustained impact right across the country and are keen to do even more.
The opportunity for a bright future is there to grasp, and we will partner with the next government to deliver it.
A Bright Future: Our Vision for the UK
Our Chair Professor Chris Day sets out the Russell Group's vision for the UK - and how the next government can work with research-intensive universities to make it a reality.
SKIILLS FOR THE FUTURE
The UK needs skilled graduates, postgraduates and apprentices for sustainable growth, but funding gaps due to inflation and cost-of-living pressures threaten the skills pipeline.
To build a bright future, the next government should:
- Increase the funding universities receive for teaching to reflect inflation to protect the quality of higher education and deliver work-ready graduates.
- Set students up for success by uplifting maintenance loans to reflect inflation and reintroducing maintenance grants for the most disadvantaged.
A THRIVING ECONOMY
Backing excellent research in UK universities can boost productivity, advance knowledge and transform our economy for the future.
To build a bright future, the next government should:
- Match our international competitors by investing at least 3% of GDP in R&D by 2030 and introduce more ambitious long-term funding targets to enhance the UK’s capabilities as a global science and research powerhouse.
- Introduce a Research and Innovation Guarantee with fast-track planning and new VAT rules for research facilities with business will help build the new labs the UK needs.
- Create a British Business Bank ‘Spark Fund’ and use pension fund reforms to help create hundreds of new deep-tech spinouts from universities.
A GREEN FUTURE
Russell Group universities are delivering green breakthroughs that can cut energy bills, reduce carbon and help accelerate progress toward Net Zero.
To build a bright future, the next government should:
- Deliver a Green Boost to tried and tested research funding streams, along with smart regulation, proof of concept and innovative procurement opportunities will turn Net Zero ideas into reality.
- Create a network of Net Zero Trailblazer Universities to share best practice, help communities cut carbon emissions and discover new opportunities for green jobs.
A HEALTHY FUTURE
Russell Group universities can deliver the skilled staff and new treatments the NHS needs to get waiting lists down and save lives.
To build a bright future, the next government should:
- Create a new medical training taskforce to oversee workforce planning and help give the NHS the skilled staff it needs.
- Introduce a healthcare education guarantee locking in funding increases for medical training in line with inflation to help universities train more NHS professionals in the UK.
- Work with universities to make the NHS the world’s leading health research platform, developing more new treatments for patients.
SECURING OUR PLACE IN THE WORLD
Supporting education exports and new, secure research partnerships will bring billions of pounds to the UK every year and strengthen our competitive advantage.
To build a bright future, the next government should:
- Renew their commitment to the objectives of the International Education Strategy and work to create a visa system that will help bring the best global talent to the UK.
- Work with universities to make a success of Horizon Europe and make an early commitment to its successor programme. This will help bring global talent to the UK, and build our leadership position in the technologies of the future.
- Introduce a UK Research Security Fund to boost university efforts to counter foreign interference and enhance UK resilience.
Investing in Opportunity
Our Interim Director of Policy Dr Hollie Chandler sets out how the policies in A Bright Future were developed - and what they would mean for students, businesses and public services like the NHS.
A Bright Future for the UK
Our world-class research-intensive universities are already working hard to make this vision a reality: they are delivering real and sustained impact right across the country and are keen to do even more.
The opportunity for a bright future is there to grasp, and we are ready to work with the next government to deliver it.
Press
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