Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Commercialisation of Research: North-east England

Wednesday 3 May 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister announced investments of 5 million each in NETPark and the Northern Accelerator, supporting research commercialization in the north-east.
  • Research funding follows excellence, with Northumbria University's ranking improvement cited as evidence of northern universities' growing competitiveness.
  • Catapult centres in the north-east, including those for offshore renewables, digital technology, and satellite applications, are seen as pivotal for commercializing academic research.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mary Foy Lab City of Durham
Economy Science & Technology
Context

The north-east is developing as a science and technology powerhouse, with significant investments in NETPark and Northern Accelerator.

Question

What steps she is taking to support the commercialisation of science and technology research in the north-east. Led by Durham University, the Northern Accelerator has invested more than £100 million in partner university spin-outs in the past five years, bringing skilled jobs and opportunities to my constituents and across the region. If serious about levelling up Durham, can she explain why the north-east receives just 4% of Research England's budget and six times less money than London?

Answer from George Freeman

We have invested £5 million into NETPark for expansion, £5 million in Northern Accelerator with six north-east universities, and nine Catapult hubs. Traditionally, research funding follows excellence; Northumbria University's rise shows northern universities are delivering increasingly excellent science. Last year, there was £50 billion of private investment matching public R&D, which will increase as we aim for £20 billion in public R&D, leading to more private money coming into the north-east.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct explanation for why the north-east receives only 4% of Research England's budget compared to other regions like London.

How: Paid Tribute, Traded Excellence

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Q2 Mary Foy Lab City of Durham
Economy Science & Technology
Context

The Northern Accelerator has invested over £100 million in spin-outs from north-east universities, generating skilled jobs and opportunities.

Question

Led by Durham University, the Northern Accelerator has invested more than £100 million in partner university spin-outs in the past five years. If serious about levelling up Durham, can he explain why the north-east receives just 4% of Research England's budget and six times less money than London?

Answer from George Freeman

The hon. Lady's leadership is important; research funding follows excellence, with Northumbria University rising to 16th from 42nd in league tables. Last year saw £50 billion of private investment matching public R&D, and we aim for £20 billion public R&D leading to more private money coming into the north-east.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct explanation for why the north-east receives only 4% of Research England's budget compared to other regions like London.

How: Paid Tribute, Traded Excellence

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Q3 Mark Pawsey Con
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The Catapult centres and manufacturing technology centre are crucial for commercialising academic ideas.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the Catapult centres in the north-east, as well as the manufacturing technology centre in my constituency, are the way forward in commercialising some of the great ideas that are coming from the academic world?

Answer from George Freeman

Yes, I absolutely agree. We have put £1.9 billion into the Catapult network; in the north-east, we have the offshore renewables Catapult in Blyth, the digital Catapult in Sunderland and the satellite applications Catapult in Durham.

Answered
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Q4 Carol Monaghan SNP
Science & Technology
Context

Pragmatic Semiconductor in NETPark is innovating chip production but considers moving operations overseas without a semiconductor strategy.

Question

One of the companies based in NETPark is Pragmatic Semiconductor, which is innovating chip production. It has indicated that it would consider moving its operations overseas if the UK fails to produce a semiconductor strategy that funds and supports chip production. We have been asking for this strategy for years now, so can the Minister assure the House not only that the strategy is imminent and will be published very shortly, but that it will properly fund and support companies such as Pragmatic?

Answer from George Freeman

The Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology has met the company concerned. We will be setting out the semiconductor strategy in days, which will address the hon. Lady's concerns about funding and supporting companies such as Pragmatic.

Answered
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