THE University of Plymouth contributes nearly £900 million and almost 9,000 jobs to the UK economy on an annual basis, according to a new report.

The institution generates more than £460m of output for the city of Plymouth, and nearly £600m for the region, as well as providing £60m of UK exports.

And among a raft of socio-cultural impacts, its staff deliver more than 255,000 hours of voluntary public service worth around £17.6m.

The figures have been revealed following the publication of the Social, Cultural and Economic Impact Assessment for the University of Plymouth.

Undertaken by Viewforth Consulting, the assessment evaluates both the direct economic impact of the expenditure of the University and its students, as well as the broader economic, social and cultural value generated by the institution’s activities.