The Global Talent Fund excludes the North—despite our world-class institutions.
Why does the Global Talent Fund miss out the North of England?
I’ve asked the Science Minister why no region north of Birmingham was prioritised and why the selection process he set out to me wasn’t evidence, geography or policy based
I have now asked the Science Minister for further clarification following his initial justification of funding criteria which managed to exclude all northern Universities from this vital fund
Dame Chi Onwurah, Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, said:
“It’s disappointing that whilst the Global Talent Fund distribution recognises the role of devolved nations, it doesn’t recognise the importance of regions within England. The Fund misses out the north of England entirely, despite being home to many world-class research institutions that would benefit massively from extra help to attract top researchers from abroad.
“I’m writing to Science Minister, Lord Vallance, to press for further details on how the Government selected the twelve institutions that will receive GTF funding; and why no region north of Birmingham was prioritised.
“The process he set out in his initial response to me seems neither evidence-based nor geographically based nor even policy-based, but some kind of mishmash based on criteria which, as noted by the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, were both arbitrary and inconsistently applied.
“This approach seems to be at odds with the Government’s stated mission to boost opportunities in every part of the country, and I hope the Minister will be able to provide more clarity and context.”