Ewan Kirk, an entrepreneur and investor, is urging the government to introduce 10-year visas for all international tech and science graduates. He believes this could significantly boost entrepreneurship and fuel economic growth.
Just ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget announcement, Kirk highlighted the political risks involved but insisted that extending visas to STEM graduates would be a game-changer for the economy. As a prominent figure at the University of Cambridge and chair of DeepTech Labs, he argues that this change would help the UK keep its talent, translating to net financial gains. He pointed out that the UK boasts one of the best higher education systems worldwide, producing top academics and innovators. However, visa hurdles and steep application costs have led to a “voluntary brain drain,” pushing skilled international graduates away.
Kirk stated, “The government is focused on economic growth, but we need effective, low-cost solutions. This policy is exactly that.” His proposal is part of a broader set of cost-effective strategies aimed at driving innovation in the UK. He believes replicating successful innovation business clusters outside the “Golden Triangle” of Cambridge, Oxford, and London is essential.
Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, noted that the North East has the scientific potential but faces challenges in developing new innovation hubs. He shared that universities in cities like Manchester, Leeds, and Sheffield contribute £1.1 billion in research annually, comparable to the funds drawn by the Golden Triangle. Nevertheless, finding skilled talent outside these key areas remains tricky. Northern Gritstone has brought in executives from San Francisco to lead its supported businesses, aiming to bridge this gap.
Infrastructure is a major issue too. For tech clusters to thrive, businesses must be close enough to each other. Leeds, Manchester, and Sheffield are only 30 miles apart, yet it can take over an hour and a half to travel between them due to inadequate rail services. The government is being urged to collaborate with regional mayors to develop local innovation centers and foster stronger links between universities and businesses. While some progress has been made in areas like South Yorkshire and Manchester, it will take time for other parts of the UK to cultivate the necessary research networks.
Kirk also advocates for teaching entrepreneurship in secondary schools, focusing on helping young people gain skills to start their own businesses. Emma Jones from Enterprise Nation supports integrating entrepreneurship into existing subjects, like creating sustainable business plans in geography class. She suggests that work experience opportunities in small businesses could also enhance students’ learning.
Investment remains a hot topic as well. The UK has lagged in attracting both public and private sector investment, directly impacting innovation. Jones raised concerns about small firms hesitating to seek funding, with banks becoming more cautious due to international regulations. Community development finance institutions could be part of the solution, acting as co-ops to support and finance businesses. The government could also increase its spending with small and medium-sized enterprises. Although there were initial plans to allocate a larger portion of spending to small companies, the target hasn’t been achieved yet.
Johnson emphasized the urgent need for better university funding. Many institutions are struggling financially due to tuition caps and a decline in international students, exacerbated by high inflation. The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in Sheffield has even had to shut down its advanced nuclear program due to these constraints. Onwurah pointed out that encouraging startups in regions could be part of a larger effort to cultivate an entrepreneurial culture in universities.
She argued for balancing skills between homegrown talent and international innovation. Making fees payable over time instead of upfront could ease the financial burden on students, fostering a more supportive environment for study and innovation across the UK.