Northern England’s universities have been excluded from a share of the £54 million research fund, a decision that could undermine their contribution to the UK’s innovation landscape, according to a group of eight mayors.
The fund, which aims to attract 60 to 80 leading researchers into the UK to bolster industrial strategy in areas such as life sciences, defence, and creative industries, has been allocated to 12 institutions. These include Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, and the University of Birmingham. However, no universities in the north of England are among the recipients, despite their strong research output and partnerships with local industries.
Mayors, including Andy Burnham of Greater Manchester and Steve Rotheram of Liverpool, have criticised the government for reinforcing a regional imbalance in research funding, with most of the investment concentrated in London and the South East. They argue that northern universities, which are key drivers of technological innovation and economic development, have been overlooked once again.
The group of mayors has called for a new funding model that more accurately reflects the strengths and aspirations of all regions. They are pushing for greater transparency in funding allocation to ensure that investment supports growth across the whole country and not just the areas traditionally favoured in government funding decisions.
