The research sector has been a consistent, if sometimes undervalued, UK success story, with countless examples of breakthroughs that have transformed our understanding of the world and the way we live in it, and contributed significantly to our health and wealth.

In Manchester last week we celebrated 20 years since the Nobel prize-winning discovery of graphene by researchers at the University of Manchester. Graphene has completely reshaped many research areas including materials science and condensed matter physics, reaching far beyond into life sciences, and now gradually but steadily expanding into industrial and consumer products.

The breakthrough that allowed scientists to first isolate graphene was only possible because universities had the funding and flexibility to allow scientists to explore freely in early-stage, blue-skythinking research – a vital aspect of our dual support research funding system, which has often led to unexpected commercial gains. In more recent times, it has led to gamechanging work such as advances in cleantech, renewable materials and, most notably, the Covid vaccine. And these are just the examples that make headlines.

Research and innovation at universities, and their associated........

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