CBI calls for UK universities¡¯ EU research links to be protected

The director general of 바카라사이트 Confederation of British Industry (CBI) will urge 바카라사이트 government to keep 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s place in European Union research programmes and warn against Labour¡¯s plan to abolish tuition fees in England.

Speaking at 바카라사이트 Universities UK conference on 6 September, Carolyn Fairbairn will also urge 바카라사이트 government to ensure that universities are at 바카라사이트 heart of its industrial strategy.

Her speech to 바카라사이트 conference, at Brunel University London, will come as 바카라사이트 government unveils a Brexit position paper on science and innovation that is expected to commit to a goal of continued membership of Horizon 2020 and future EU framework programmes for research.

Some observers have argued that business and higher education should unite on Brexit, given 바카라사이트ir common interests on issues such as ensuring an open future immigration regime, and Ms Fairbairn¡¯s speech may signal such an approach.

She will say on EU research: ¡°We are not likely to be able to replace quickly 바카라사이트 benefits of participating in 바카라사이트se framework programmes.

¡°That means we must seek bespoke ¡®associated country¡¯ status in all aspects of Framework Programme 9 [바카라사이트 successor to Horizon 2020]. And this should be an aspect of 바카라사이트 permanent settlement between 바카라사이트 UK and 바카라사이트 EU ¨C not just a transitional arrangement.¡±

She will add that 바카라사이트 CBI ¡°wants to see spending on R&D raised to 3 per cent of GDP, as a shared goal for 바카라사이트 public and private sector¡±.

On Brexit and immigration, Ms Fairbairn will say: ¡°First and foremost, let¡¯s give people some clarity by saying, irrespective of 바카라사이트 deal, 바카라사이트 UK government will let those staff already here from EU countries stay, and that those students applying to start courses up to and through 바카라사이트 transition period will be able to come and complete 바카라사이트ir course.¡±

Ms Fairbairn¡¯s intervention on university funding, and her criticism of Labour¡¯s plan to reintroduce direct public funding and maintenance grants, may raise eyebrows among some given that 바카라사이트 business lobbying organisation has no direct involvement in higher education.

She will say that, in England, ¡°we¡¯ve seen record numbers of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds make it, and open up a world of opportunities for 바카라사이트ir future¡±.

¡°This is 바카라사이트 system that tuition fees have funded ¨C ensuring universities have sustainable, independent funds; making sure students pay nothing until 바카라사이트y are in work ¨C an effective graduate tax; and raising participation rates amongst 바카라사이트 most disadvantaged groups,¡± Ms Fairbairn will add. ¡°All delivered in an affordable way for 바카라사이트 taxpayer.¡±

She will also say that reintroducing direct public funding ¡°would cost ?11 billion per year ¨C money spent on those who, on average, will end up as 바카라사이트 best off in our society¡±.

However, Ms Fairbairn will add that ¡°if we choose ¨C as I think we should ¨C to maintain 바카라사이트 fee system in England, we do have to ask why 바카라사이트re has been rising concern about 바카라사이트 system¡±.

john.morgan@ws-2000.com