How Russell Group universities can support levelling up

04 June 2021

The 24 Russell Group universities are spread across every region and nation of the UK, delivering world class education and skills, ground-breaking research, working with businesses, boosting local economies and acting as the gateway to people and ideas from around the world. This unique combination makes them a crucial component in unlocking Britain’s potential.

Research-intensive universities already inject nearly £87 billion into the national economy every year through their research, teaching, exports, local buying power and other activities – and they support over 260,000 jobs across the towns and cities of the UK – the vast majority outside London.

As regional hubs with a global reach, our members are uniquely placed to fulfil the Government’s ambitions to level up. With investment in place-based economic growth, in fundamental research and innovation, and in the talent pipeline for future high-level skills, our universities can help to deliver a rapid recovery from the pandemic which brings opportunity to every single part of the UK.

This briefing covers how our members are:

 - Driving regional growth through local leadership, research and innovation

 - Unlocking opportunity for all

 - Delivering opportunity and economic growth in all areas of the UK

It contains a number of case studies and recommendations for the Government's Levelling Up Review:

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