In our recent submission to the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, we provided evidence on why the current research and innovation metrics system needs reform to deliver effective regional growth. Our evidence is published on the UK Parliament SIT committee inquiry webpage.

At present, the funding system advantages larger institutions, city locations and innovation in industries with higher levels of investment and market values. Whilst this approach supports national economic growth for some sectors, it does not support regional growth in an effective way.

We have proposed that policy reform is now needed to recalibrate research and innovation’s power to stimulate investment for growth in regions that need it most. This will involve a full review of the HEIF formula and its impact on funding allocations, reform to grant funding processes to consider resourcing at smaller institutions and a greater understanding of innovation in the creative industries.

Devolution has the potential to be a powerful tool to support regions to make decisions that are relevant to local people and communities. However, we recommend that the incentives laid out by the English Devolution White Paper may unintentionally drive further gaps in investment if less mature local authorities have fewer opportunities to shape DSIT and UKRI decision-making.

Read submission

Submission by Policy Manager, Dana Gamble and Head of Research Policy, Rachel Persad