Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Regional Innovation

Wednesday 14 June 2023 · 6 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial investment in public research and development in the UK is 52 billion over three years.
  • Government aims to increase R&D funding outside the greater south-east by 40%.
  • Three innovation accelerators worth 30 million each are being placed in key regions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Science & Technology
Context

The MP expressed concern about the uneven distribution of R&D funding in UK regions, citing his constituency's need for support.

Question

I am concerned about steps to support innovation in all parts of the UK. What specific measures are being taken?

Answer from George Freeman

To support innovation across the whole of the UK, we are investing £52 billion in public research and development over three years. We have committed to increasing R&D funding outside the greater south-east by 40%. We also have an active programme through Catapults, innovation accelerators, and cluster support.

Answered
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Q2 Wendy Morton Con Aldridge-Brownhills
Science & Technology
Context

The MP highlighted the historical importance of innovation in her constituency, referencing specific local companies and a House of Lords report recommending regional targets for rebalancing research funding.

Question

Innovation is a key part of my region's heritage. Given the recommendation by the House of Lords Committee to set individual regional R&D targets, will you bring forward such targets as part of the levelling-up mission?

Answer from George Freeman

We are working on setting out a digital cluster map showing all private and public funding by region, and we will increase it. We have put one of our three innovation accelerators worth £30 million into the west midlands.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific regional targets not addressed directly

How: Working On, Setting Out

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Q3 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Asylum & Refugees Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP questioned the logic of government plans for space infrastructure projects in his constituency, juxtaposed with proposals to place a migrant camp nearby.

Question

Given the Government's push for innovation through space infrastructure at RAF Scampton, how does it reconcile this ambition with placing a refugee camp next to it, potentially hindering such infrastructure?

Answer from George Freeman

I cannot comment on Home Office plans regarding refugees. However, I can say that Scampton Holdings Ltd is proposing innovative regeneration with various facilities including support for innovation.

Not addressed: Home Office plan to deal with refugees

How: Cannot Comment

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Q4 Dan Jarvis Lab Barnsley North
Business & Trade
Context

The MP underlined the crucial role of Metro Mayors in driving regional innovation and sought assurance on cooperation.

Question

Metro Mayors play a critical role in driving regional innovation. Can you assure me that your Department will work closely with them?

Answer from George Freeman

Yes, I am delighted to do so. The three innovation accelerators are co-created and led from the bottom up in Glasgow, Manchester, and the west midlands, and I am reaching out to work with Metro Mayors.

Answered
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Q5 Jon Trickett Lab Normanton and Hemsworth
Science & Technology
Context

The MP highlighted the stark contrast in science and technology employment between his constituency in the Yorkshire coalfield and Cambridge, questioning whether this was due to political preference.

Question

My constituency has far fewer people employed in science and technology than Cambridge. Is it true that the golden triangle is preferred over the rest of the country?

Answer from George Freeman

The Oxford-Cambridge-London triangle is built on home to two of the world's top three universities. Our mission is to nurture an R&D economy nationwide, including a cluster in Yorkshire.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific reasons for disparity not addressed directly

How: Not Fair Or True

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Q6 Carol Monaghan SNP
Scotland Business & Trade
Context

The MP declared her chairmanship of the all-party group on photonics and quantum, highlighting the Fraunhofer Centre's achievements in collaboration but noting UK Government lack of core funding.

Question

Despite its key role in the industrial strategy challenge fund, why has the UK Government not provided core funding to the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics at Strathclyde?

Answer from George Freeman

The UK Government are investing in Glasgow's cluster, including quantum. We put one of our three innovation accelerators there recently.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Direct core funding commitment not given

How: Investing, Accelerator

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