Supporting universities to deliver skills, growth and improve lives

To strengthen the economy and drive social mobility, the next prime minister should pledge to support the UK’s universities, which generate £95 billion for the country’s economy and support more than 940,000 jobs across the nation.
 

Universities UK is highlighting five policy issues that the next Conservative party leader should support to enable if universities to maximise their positive impact economically, socially and culturally and continue to rank as global leaders.

• Immigration – the removal of barriers to recruiting and retaining international students and staff.
  
  
• Student experience – including committing to promoting policies to encourage access to university and supporting student mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
  
  
• Science, research and innovation – a commitment to meeting, or beating, research and development investment targets to enable continued excellence in these fields.
  
  
• Sustainable funding – universities must have sustainable funding to continue world-class teaching, delivered in a way which supports continued student mobility across the UK. Funding cuts would negatively affect opportunity and impact all four nations of the UK and overseas.
  
  
• Brexit – an effective post-Brexit settlement must be reached, avoiding a ‘no-deal’ departure and ensuring continued partnerships and exchange between the UK and its EU partners.