Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 33
33
Accepted
We are concerned by an apparent tendency to place major new scientific institutions in London...
Conclusion
We are concerned by an apparent tendency to place major new scientific institutions in London by default. This compounds the challenges other regions face in attracting and retaining graduates and skilled professionals, despite their world-class universities and thriving innovation hubs. Disparities in salaries, access to funding, and quality of public services contribute to the ongoing migration of talent to London. Infrastructure support can help address this imbalance. (Conclusion, Paragraph 103)
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, acknowledging the role of university-industry collaboration in local growth but does not commit to a new Regional Graduate Retention Strategy. It highlights existing policies like Local Growth Plans and LSIPs that support local employment opportunities and skills development across regions.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government partially agrees with the recommendation and recognises the central role that university–industry collaboration plays in driving local growth and innovation. However, the combination of the below authorities, plans and statutory guidance means we do not commit to a Regional Graduate Retention Strategy at this time. We already support and encourage collaboration between Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MSAs), local authorities, and higher and further education institutions – through policies such as Local Growth Plans – in recognition of both the role that universities play in local communities and economic growth, and the importance of providing local employmentopportunities for skilled graduates. Local Growth Plans, developed by MSAs, are driving this government’s growth mission across our regions. These are 10-year strategic frameworks that support MSAs to convene local partners, including universities, and provide a framework for places to create opportunities for skilled graduates and retain talent, providing a boost for local economies and addressing many of the issues highlighted in this recommendation. In addition, Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) provide a robust, evidence based assessment of current and future skills needs in a local area, enabling further and higher education providers to align their curriculum with local labour market demand, and giving students and graduates a clear line of sight to strong employment pathways and helping them access high quality job opportunities close to where they studied. The new strengthened role of Strategic Authorities in LSIPs will further enhance the LSIPs by linking them to place based economic planning, ensuring that local skills priorities sit within support wider growth strategies, including investment zones, innovation clusters and regeneration plans. Our updated statutory guidance encourages designated Employer Representative Bodies and Strategic Authorities to work proactively with local higher education institutions to ensure that technical, professional and advanced skills needs are fully reflected in curriculum planning, and promotes deeper collaboration between employers and universities, improving the visibility of local career opportunities.