Responding to the Budget, London Higher’s Chief Executive Liz Hutchinson said:
“We welcome the government’s commitment to devolution, and to giving the capital more of the powers it needs to drive growth and improve the lives of Londoners, particularly young people not in education, employment or training.
“The plan for government and the GLA to develop a global city productivity plan is a real opportunity, supporting London as a world-leading destination for talent, investment and tourism. As the higher education capital of the world, London’s universities and specialist institutions are well placed to work with the GLA and help shape it.
“Being able to attract and retain international talent is crucial to this, so we welcome the proposed return of the two-year Graduate visa but need to see the detail. It will matter to all of London’s diverse higher education institutions.
“The Budget’s focus on innovation and entrepreneurship plays to London’s strengths. London’s higher education sector leads the way on student start-ups and spin-outs. Our universities and specialist institutions underpin the UK’s global reputation for research and development and provide infrastructure the whole country relies on. So while we share the government’s ambition for growth in every part of the country, London’s success and the success of other regions go hand in hand. The best approach builds on the strengths of every region, including London’s role as a global city.”
