As the population prepares to vote in the UK General Election and set its vision for the next five years, we are pleased to highlight the vital role that universities and colleges can play in tackling some of the key issues of our time:

• Creative industries contribute more than £115bn to the UK economy and is growing faster than the rest of the economy; creativity is essential in all industries; and so a whole creative education enriches the cultural fabric of society (Creative Education Manifesto, Sept 2023)
• Teacher supply in English schools is in crisis with problems recruiting and retaining high quality teachers. Universities are central in tackling this, delivering teacher education at scale (Teacher Education Manifesto, Dec 2023)
• Food security is one of the key challenges of our time, land-based education and research helps tackle this and supports green skills and moving towards net zero (Land Based Education Manifesto, Mar 2024)
• Tackling the UK skills shortage and productivity problem is key to unlocking economic growth, universities and colleges play a key role in upskilling and reskilling the worforce of the future (Skills Policy Manifesto, May 2024)
• Places matter. Strong local communities and economies ensure that all parts of the country share in the cultural and economic wellbeing of the country and help develop a sense of community pride (Local and Regional Policy Manifesto, May 2024)
• UK higher education is stronger for being diverse. Different institutional sizes, types, specialisms and missions nurture innovation and creativity. They mean more choice for students and employers, fresh approaches to research and business engagement and new ways of driving economic growth and enriching cultural and social prosperity. Diversity is essential for a fully effective higher education and research system (Championing a Diverse Higher Education Sector Manifesto, June 2024)