Lack of higher education and high-skilled jobs causing brain drain

Participants felt Swindon is experiencing a 'brain drain' due to lacking a university and higher education not having the same “presence” there as it does in other cities. It was felt that educational attainment in Swindon may be lower than in neighbouring cities as a result. Participants also felt young people move to university cities for higher education and do not return to Swindon afterwards as there is a lack of high-skilled jobs. They noted there is an "intergenerational" cycle of higher education disengagement, as parents who have not attended university are less likely to encourage and support their children to do this.