Innovation Livingston 2025-02-12
2025-02-12
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question pertains to the support and investment in biotech and life sciences businesses within the Livingston constituency, highlighting specific companies like Valneva and SilviBio. The questioner mentions previous failures by both Conservative and SNP Scottish Governments.
In the Livingston constituency, we have a number of fantastic biotech and life sciences businesses, such as Valneva, which is working on a range of vaccines, including for malaria, and as the Minister mentioned, SilviBio, which is working on sustainable alternatives to peat. Given the failure and neglect of the Conservative Government and the SNP Scottish Government in this regard, what conversations is he having with the Scottish Government to ensure that we create an environment in which the biotech and life sciences industry can thrive in the Livingston constituency and across Scotland?
Livingston is a remarkable example of where investment can make a significant difference. I am really pleased that the chief executive of SilviBio recently received a women in innovation award for innovation in science. My hon. Friend is absolutely right that innovation accelerator projects in Glasgow and across the whole of Scotland need the integration between the Westminster Government and the Holyrood Government to be really successful, but that is precisely what we are determined to do. In October last year, he also had another £4 million investment in Livingston by Merck, making it one of the biggest investors in Scotland.
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Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific details on ongoing conversations with the Scottish Government about creating an environment for biotech and life sciences to thrive.
Response accuracy