NCUB response to the “Rewiring the State” Cabinet Statement

Responding to the UK Government’s Cabinet Statement setting out plans to devolve significant new powers over skills, innovation funding and public services to mayors and local leaders across England, Dr Joe Marshall, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB), said: 

“This is a significant moment for how research, skills and innovation policy will be shaped and delivered in England. The commitment to devolve by default—including a substantially increased share of later-stage innovation funding and significant control over technical and vocational pathways—represents much more than an incremental extension of existing devolution. 

“It creates a major opportunity. Local leaders, working with universities and businesses, could align investment much more closely with the distinctive research strengths, industrial capabilities and skills needs of their regions. Done well, this could help places build new industries around frontier sectors, attract private investment and translate innovation into jobs and growth into places where the benefits will be genuinely felt.” 

However, NCUB cautioned that the scale of the proposed change also raises important questions about how the new settlement will work in practice. 

Dr Marshall continued: 

“The direction is ambitious, but many of the most important design questions remain open and must be shaped by those at heart of local decision making – namely universities and businesses that drive skills, research and innovation ecosystems. Which decisions are best taken locally, which require national coordination, and which should be shared? How will local priorities remain connected to the UK’s national research base and to opportunities that cross regional boundaries? And how will we ensure that places with different levels of institutional capacity are all able to benefit? 

“Innovation does not stop at administrative borders. Research strengths, specialist facilities, supply chains, skills and investment frequently connect several parts of the country. Devolution must therefore strengthen local leadership without fragmenting the national relationships and institutions that successful innovation depends on. NCUB stands ready to work with government, UKRI, local leaders and our members to help build a settlement that combines stronger local agency with national coherence and turns this significant reform into lasting economic opportunity.”