UK Research and Innovation: Ethnic Minorities

Lord Wood of Anfield Excerpts

Monday 15th December 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

Yes, I do agree with that, and that is why it is very clear that there is a focus on excellence in the very scheme that has been referred to, which is among the most excellent in the world in terms of what it searches for. It is worth going back to 2020-21, when the then Science Minister, Amanda Solloway, said: “We recognise that people from minority ethnic backgrounds, as well as other underrepresented groups, face systemic barriers to entering and progressing in R&D careers. We are committed to tackling these barriers to ensure that talent is not lost”. I agree with the last Government on that.

[Lord Wood of Anfield (Lab)]

My Lords, I am sure that the vast majority of noble Lords would agree that genuine equality of opportunity in academia and more widely requires a commitment to fair application procedures and continuing concerted efforts to address the obstacles that prevent different groups from accessing opportunities. This includes racial and ethnic groups, lower-income groups and groups from outside of the south-east. Can the Minister outline what steps this Government have initiated to address these barriers that are faced by disadvantaged students—disadvantaged construed in the broadest sense—in accessing different kinds of postgraduate study?

[Lord Vallance of Balham (Lab)]

UKRI is clear that, when it allocates grants, particularly for the studentships into doctoral training centres, those organisations should consider increased participation and any disadvantages on the grounds of ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic status or caring responsibilities. There are a number of schemes specifically designed to do that—and a number more were laid out in the White Paper—and the analysis of previous schemes has shown that they do have an effect. I referred to one from 1995, which had a very dramatic effect.