Health Science and Innovation 2025-06-25
2025-06-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussion about the impact of UK funding on global medical innovation and influence.
What assessment has he made of the potential impact of funding for health science and innovation on the UK’s global influence?
From the development of vaccines to the discovery of the structure of DNA, British medical innovation has played a fundamental role in changing the lives of people globally and extending the UK’s global influence. Our industrial strategy and forthcoming life sciences sector plan will put the UK at the very centre of global efforts.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific impact assessment requested, only made general statements about importance.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussion about UK's commitment to Gavi and its impact on global health and biosecurity.
As the Minister will know, Gavi and the Global Fund not only provide a global vaccine programme and programmes on saving lives from malaria and HIV but also provide us with biosecurity and jobs in the UK. What assessment has he made of whether the UK is to reduce our efforts in that regard?
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is absolutely essential, not only for other countries in the world, where we have managed to save many lives by introducing vaccines, but for UK innovation. We are fully committed to Gavi. We will be producing our life sciences sector plan soon, and we want to celebrate the sector, which represents 6,800 business and £100 billion of turnover every year.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific assessment request, only reaffirmed commitment without specifics.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussion about the distribution of projects funded by the life and health sciences launchpad in Northern Ireland.
The Minister will be aware that the life and health sciences launchpad in Northern Ireland has so far funded 32 business-led projects. That is good news, but 23 of the projects are in the Greater Belfast area. Will the Minister join me and others in our efforts to ensure that there is greater knowledge about the launchpad across the whole of Northern Ireland so that we can all benefit from this very worthwhile project?
Yes, indeed. When I was talking about the creative industries sector plan as part of the industrial strategy last week, exactly the same point was made. Belfast is obviously a great centre for innovation and the creative industries, but we need to make sure that the sector extends across the whole of Northern Ireland. It is a point that has been extremely well made.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to specific actions or support requested, only acknowledged importance.
Response accuracy