North of England deserves fifth of public research funding

A leading think tank is calling on the UK government to commit 20 per cent of its research funding to the north of England in “catch-up cash” to make up for the loss of European Union funding.

In its report, Health Innovation: Breathing life into the northern powerhouse, published on 22 November, the think tank IPPR North calls for government action to ensure the north’s life-sciences sector “thrives after Brexit”.

The report also says that increased research funding will reduce the gap in life expectancy between the north and south of England.