The UK will create a new visa route aimed at attracting ¡°the best and most promising talent in science, research and tech¡±, chancellor Rishi Sunak said in his budget, which?also contained?a freeze in the English tuition fee cap for 2022-23.

Mr Sunak¡¯s speech, delivered on 3 March, had little to say on higher education funding ¨C where key issues?are expected to be addressed in?the government¡¯s full response to the Augar review at the autumn spending review.

But the budget document?contained mention of a freeze in the English tuition fee cap, currently at ?9,250, for 2022-23.

The government¡¯s interim response to the Augar review had previously said it would ¡°freeze the maximum tuition fee cap to deliver better value for students and to keep the cost of higher education under control¡±, which would be ¡°initially be for one year¡± with ¡°further changes to the student finance system...considered ahead of the next comprehensive spending review¡±.

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There?were other?announcements potentially affecting research and employment-focused training.?

Mr Sunak said there would be a ¡°new unsponsored, points-based visa to attract the best and most promising talent in science, research and tech¡±.

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The?says the government is ¡°modernising the immigration system to help the UK attract and retain the most highly skilled, globally mobile talent ¨C particularly in academia, science, research and technology ¨C from around the world¡±, pledging the government would ¡°introduce, by March 2022, an elite points-based visa¡±.?

The budget also announced a review of research and development (R&D) tax reliefs, which support companies that work on innovative projects in science and technology.

¡°This review will consider all elements of the two R&D tax relief schemes, with the objective of ensuring the UK remains a competitive location for cutting-edge research, that the reliefs continue to be fit for purpose and that taxpayer money is effectively targeted¡±, with a consultation published alongside the budget, the budget document says.

Meanwhile, employers who hire apprentices between 1 April and 30 September 2021 ¡°will receive ?3,000 per new hire, compared with ?1,500 per new apprentice hire (or ?2,000 for those aged 24 and under) under the previous scheme¡±, the budget says, in a move that could impact on universities¡¯ teaching of apprentices.

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Mr Sunak also announced a scheme for small- and medium-sized enterprises to access ¡°world-class management training¡±, which will see ¡°dozens of business schools¡± offer a new ¡°executive development programme¡±, with the government footing 90 per cent of the cost.

john.morgan@timeshighereducation.com