Loan access and R&D ‘should be central to Sunak’s statement’

Mission group calls for further R&D investment commitments ahead of chancellor’s speech

Investment in public services, R&D and growing regional economies should be central to tomorrow’s summer financial statement by the chancellor, the MillionPlus group of 22 modern universities has said.

Rishi Sunak’s emergency “mini-budget”, which will take place on 8 July, is expected to outline further measures designed to help stabilise the economy as the UK continues to emerge from the lockdown imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.