UK life sciences face long-term planning and skills challenges

A new report from the House of Lords Select Committee has sounded the alarm on the UK’s life sciences sector, highlighting a worrying lack of long-term planning. Leading academics, however, say the issues run deeper than policy — it’s the workforce itself that needs urgent attention.

Professor Ivan Wall, Chair of Regenerative Medicine at the University of Birmingham, warned:

“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.”

Recent headlines have underscored the urgency: Merck scrapped a £1 billion UK investment, AstraZeneca paused key projects, and Eli Lilly put a £279 million investment on hold. The House of Lords report confirms that government strategy is short-sighted and fragmented, but Professor Wall stresses that training and talent development are the foundation for a thriving life sciences ecosystem.

“Skills are the engine of growth,” he said. “When companies can access world-class talent, they invest, expand, and innovate. Without a skilled workforce, even the best infrastructure goes to waste.”

One promising solution is Resilience, the UK Medicines Manufacturing Centre of Excellence. This two-year, £4.5 million programme uses advanced VR technology to train students and young professionals in real-world laboratory skills without the costs or limitations of physical labs.

So far, Resilience has reached over 15,000 students across 170 events and developed 75 future sector leaders, with impressive diversity: 66% female and 45% from BAME backgrounds. Professor Wall, co-director of Resilience, noted:
“The training allows repeated practice without limits, reduces lab waste, and offers a more sustainable route for the next generation of life scientists.”

With partners including UCL, Heriot-Watt, Teesside, and the University of Birmingham, Resilience is proving that tackling the skills gap is not only possible but transformative for the UK’s life sciences future.

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