UK life sciences sector at risk as skills gap threatens growth

A new report has highlighted concerns about the future of the UK life sciences sector, with commentators warning that a critical skills gap is being left unaddressed despite recent government reviews. The life sciences sector, seen as a driver for innovation and economic growth in the UK, is currently under pressure as major pharmaceutical investments stall and key voices urge a greater focus on workforce development.

Investment concerns

Recent months have seen several international pharmaceutical companies, including Merck, AstraZeneca, and Eli Lilly, either withdrawing or pausing major investments in the UK. Merck has cancelled a GBP £1 billion project, while AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly have suspended their own planned investments, citing the need for substantial reform in the UK's life sciences environment.

Skills gap risk

The new report, published by a House of Lords select committee, identifies a lack of long-term coordination in government policy as a core issue. However, Ivan Wall, Professor of Regenerative Medicine at the University of Birmingham, has criticised the report for what he sees as a lack of attention to the urgent skills shortages facing the sector.

"It's not enough to invest in buildings and equipment; we need future generations of trained, motivated, and educated young people to work in the sector," said Professor Ivan Wall, Professor of Regenerative Medicine, University of Birmingham.

Wall also emphasised the importance of raising awareness about life sciences careers and making the sector more attractive to younger people. "That means seriously assessing the need for investment in tools that improve productivity, and it means raising awareness of the many hundreds of career choices in life sciences. Finally, it means we need to excite and engage those young people to choose them," said Wall.

He pointed to existing programmes that target these areas, focusing on awareness, engagement, and training. "Skills are the engine of growth. When companies know they can tap into world-class talent, they invest, expand, and innovate. By building this pipeline, we're not only boosting productivity at home but also making the UK the obvious choice for global life sciences companies looking to set up here," said Wall.

Training and technology

The report recommends government-funded training that matches the needs identified by sector skills bodies, as well as ongoing and increasing investment in workforce development throughout the decade. Professor Wall welcomed this recommendation.

"It is great to see recognition that training is vital, as it makes no sense to encourage investment without in parallel growing a workforce that is educated, trained, and experienced," said Wall.

He pointed to advances in training technologies such as virtual reality (VR), which offer practical training experiences in medicine manufacturing without the cost or environmental impact of traditional labs. Wall said that these tools "can also help institutions limit their environmental footprint, ensuring a more sustainable route for the next generation of life scientists."

Resilience programme

Resilience, the Medicines Manufacturing Centre of Excellence in the UK, aims to address the skills gap by delivering VR-based training and outreach initiatives. The programme, supported by a consortium including University College London, Heriot-Watt University, and Teesside University, is funded by Innovate UK with a budget of GBP £4.5 million.

According to the latest results, 1,500 trainees have attended industry-relevant training events. Over 15,000 students across the UK have participated in skills and outreach activities, and 75 future sector leaders from 23 organisations have developed their skills through accelerator programmes. 60% of future leaders on the accelerator programme identified as female, and 45% came from BAME backgrounds.

"These results as we move into the latter stages of the programme are overwhelmingly positive; the number of future medicine makers we've reached is astounding," said Wall.

He added that immersive and repeated VR training not only enhances learning but also helps reduce travel and waste, supporting sustainability targets, such as the NHS goal to reach net zero in its supply chain.

Several UK universities and industry partners support resilience. The scheme's impact is being monitored as it moves into its final year.