Westminster Higher Education Forum

Morning, Wednesday, 30^th April 2025

Online

This conference will consider next steps for UK research and innovation, with a focus on investment, strategic development, new institutions and structures, and frameworks for collaboration.

Following funding announced in the Autumn Budget, including for the association to Horizon Europe - and the Chancellor’s announcement in the Spring Statement of a boost to defence innovation funding - it will be an opportunity to assess the direction of government policy on R&I and priorities for the Spending Review at a time of tightening public finances.

Delegates will focus on the impact of regulation and taxation measures on innovation-focused enterprises. Policy priorities for widening access to investment and the commercialisation of research will also be explored, as well as the role of R&I in addressing regional disparities and supporting economic growth. Broader discussion is expected on the Government’s R&I policy, focusing on what constitutes successful outcomes and how these can be effectively measured and monitored.

Strategic options for balancing investment and growth with financial stewardship will be examined in the context of budget constraints, looking also at future opportunities and performance indicators for the National Wealth Fund and considering next steps for implementing the forthcoming Industrial Strategy.

Discussion is also expected on proposals set out in UUK’s recently published Opportunity, Growth and Partnership report, with latest thinking on key issues related to funding, research focus areas, collaboration, and student opportunities. Sessions will explore what is needed to create a successful R&I ecosystem, stimulate private investment, and enhance partnerships between industry and public institutions, as well as the role of the newly established Regulatory Innovation Office alongside UKRI, ARIA, and DSIT.

Delegates will consider implications of the Government’s pledge to introduce 10-year budgets for UKRI and ARIA, and to position DSIT as the digital centre of government. The allocation of funds and processes for applying for support will be examined in the context of priority sectors, including aerospace, AI, automotive, defence, energy, and life sciences.

Overall, areas for discussion include:

• policy: Autumn Budget funding - Spring Statement support for defence innovation - heightened public spending constraints - Spending Review priorities - HoL Financing and Scaling inquiry
• regulation: role of the newly established Regulatory Innovation Office - next steps for UKRI and ARIA under 10-year funding commitments - implications for long-term research planning
• UK R&I strategy: fostering international competitiveness alongside domestic economic growth - assessing priorities for AI investment - implications of sectoral shifts of focus in R&D
• investment priorities: the future of health sector R&D in the mix - options for expansion, including AI, energy, and defence - strategies for retaining and scaling innovative ventures in the UK
• commercialisation: assessing current tax policy and investment incentives - options for addressing the valley of death growth stage - ensuring the UK’s economic benefit from domestic R&D
• private sector involvement: priorities for an effective National Wealth Fund - concerns around the UK’s declining position in global R&D rankings - strengthening links between HEIs and business
• public-private collaboration: government and business roles in shaping R&I success - optimising policy levers to drive innovation - long-term stability in funding and institutional frameworks
• university funding and research sustainability: challenges posed by financial constraints - impact of rising National Insurance costs - tuition fee adjustments and alternative funding models
• AI: infrastructure and investment priorities - AI Growth Zones and supercomputing expansion - private sector coordination with government priorities - addressing barriers to commercialisation
• global positioning: benchmarking UK policy against international competitors - the impact of geopolitical dynamics - strategic considerations for attracting and retaining foreign investment

All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from the DBT; DfT; DAERA, NI; DESNZ; Defra; DHSC; DSIT; DfE; POST; HMRC; IPO; MCA; MHCLG; NAO; Department for the Economy, NI; OLS; Transport Scotland; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.