Skidmore talks up economic value of university research

The minister for universities and science has spoken of the importance of research grant funding to the UK economy, in one of his first public appearances in the role.

On a visit to Research England—the body that allocates grant funding to English universities for their research and knowledge-exchange activities—Chris Skidmore (pictured, right) said that funding from the organisation was “essential” to underpin universities’ important economic and social contributions.

“Universities’ research and knowledge-exchange work makes an important contribution to the UK economy, helping to drive our modern industrial strategy and to ensure every part of the country benefits,” he said.