The Green Party
Thursday 13th June 2024

Wednesday saw the publication of the Green Party manifesto. We look at what Green policies could mean for science and engineering.
Support for research and development
The Green Party has pledged to seek to increase investment into R&D by over £30bn in the lifetime of the five-year parliament. Additional spending would be mainly targeted into sectors focused on tackling climate change.
Immigration
The party has outlined its ambition to attract the best international talent and researchers into UK universities and start-ups. Pledges include pushing for migrants, including students, to be allowed to bring members of their family to the UK, and removing minimum income requirements from all applications including spousal visas. They have also pledged to simplify the system of visa applications and for applications to be processed swiftly.
Plaid Cymru
Friday 14th June 2024

Thursday saw the publication of the Plaid Cymru manifesto. We look at what Plaid policies could mean for science and engineering.
R&D investment
Plaid Cymru has pledged to increase Government investment in R&D and would seek to devolve Wales’s share of UK Research and Innovation expenditure.
Higher Education
The manifesto states the party’s concerns about the higher education sector, warning that it is in crisis and in need of urgent support. They recognise the important role of universities within our communities, in attracting students and staff and supporting the local economy and supply chain through realising our young people’s talents.
Reform UK
Monday 17th June 2024

Monday saw the publication of the Reform UK Party contract. We look at what Reform UK policies could mean for science and engineering.
Innovation
The contract does not include any specific pledges relating to public investment in Research and Development. However, specific pledges to incentivise innovation in both the agriculture industry and in the construction of new housing are included. For the latter, this includes innovations in modular construction, digital technology and in building sites that improve efficiency and cut waste.
Education
The party outline their ambition to restrict undergraduate student numbers and introduce two-year undergraduate courses, as well scrapping interest on student loans and extending loan capital repayment periods to 45 years. They also pledge to introduce tax relief for businesses that undertake apprenticeships.
Immigration
Reform UK have laid out a series of plans to limit immigration, including barring dependents of international students, only allowing international students with essential skills to remain in the UK, imposing a requirement of 5 years residency and employment to claim any UK benefits, and raising National Insurance rates to 20% for most foreign workers. They state that some of these changes would not apply to immigrants with essential skills, such as in healthcare, however it is not clear to what extent these exceptions will apply to researchers.
Other 2024 manifesto analysis
We look at what the Liberal Democrat 2024 manifesto could mean for science and engineering.
We look at what the Conservative Party 2024 manifesto could mean for science and engineering.
We look at what the Labour Party 2024 manifesto could mean for science and engineering.
We look at what the SNP 2024 manifesto could mean for science and engineering.