As an immigration lawyer working closely with researchers, entrepreneurs and innovators, I welcome the UK's decision to put the attraction of world-class talent at the centre of economic policy. The creation of a Global Talent Taskforce and a £54 million Global Talent Fund marks a deliberate shift. Immigration is no longer being treated simply as an administrative matter but recognised as a driver of growth, discovery and competitiveness.
What makes this initiative distinctive is not only its ambition but also its structure. The Taskforce has been created to identify and approach outstanding individuals across the most critical industries, with direct reporting lines to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor. Alongside this, the Global Talent Fund, managed by UK Research and Innovation, will meet the costs of relocation and research for five years. This provides not just an invitation but a practical route for top talent to bring their work and their teams to the UK.
12 leading universities and research institutes across all four nations have been chosen to deliver the scheme, each with an equal share of the funding. The aim is to bring between sixty and eighty top researchers and their teams to the UK. These are people capable of establishing entire laboratories, launching spin-outs and building supply chains. This is not about filling vacancies but about creating capacity and influence at scale.
The economic reasoning behind this is sound. The IMF has estimated that artificial intelligence could increase UK productivity by up to 1.5 percentage points per year. That is equivalent to around £47 billion annually. Quantum technologies and engineering biology are expected to contribute further substantial gains. With the right people, placed in the right institutions, working on the right challenges, Britain has an opportunity to transform its long-term growth path.
The policy builds on a strong foundation. The UK already sustains one of the most valuable technology ecosystems in the world, worth close to one trillion pounds. It ranks third globally for artificial intelligence companies, with the sector generating more than £10.6 billion in revenues. It also leads in areas such as fintech, semiconductors and cybersecurity. This provides fertile ground for the scientists, entrepreneurs and founders whom the Taskforce is seeking to attract.
There is, however, a notable omission. While the government has rightly ensured that institutions in all four nations are represented, the initial list does not include major innovation hubs in the North of England. Cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and Newcastle are all significant centres of digital technology, health innovation and advanced research. Manchester alone is home to over 10,000 digital and technology businesses and is recognised by the Department for Business and Trade as the UK's top digital tech city.
Why then were these cities not included? The explanation lies in the criteria used. The government has selected established universities with long-standing international reputations, such as Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial and Birmingham, to lead the first phase. The reasoning is clear: to maximise global visibility quickly, to appeal to the very top tier of researchers, and to demonstrate immediate credibility. This approach does create a powerful launch platform. Yet it inevitably means that other strong but less internationally branded institutions in the North were not part of the initial cohort.
The choice is therefore strategic rather than dismissive. By concentrating on institutions that already command global recognition, the government hopes to attract world leaders in science and innovation with speed and certainty. Nevertheless, this creates an imbalance that risks reinforcing the dominance of the so-called Golden Triangle. For a policy that also speaks the language of levelling up, this is an inconsistency that must be corrected in the years ahead.
Looking forward, the next decade will determine whether this initiative is a turning point or a missed opportunity. If the Taskforce can attract the calibre of teams envisaged, if universities can turn funding into long-term laboratories and businesses, and if immigration routes remain streamlined and accessible, then the UK can establish itself as the natural home for the world's leading innovators. But if the benefits are concentrated too narrowly, the country will lose both momentum and trust.
My advice to clients is simple; the UK is serious about attracting talent, and new opportunities to move here with your teams are opening up. My advice to policymakers is equally clear; maintain the momentum, expand the reach, and ensure that the North is brought into the heart of the strategy. By doing so, Britain can send a powerful message that it is not only open to the world's best talent but also committed to ensuring that their impact is felt across the entire nation.