Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Life Sciences Sector

Tuesday 14 November 2023 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Chancellor announced a policy package for life sciences backed by over 650 million in funding.
  • Julian Sturdy highlighted the importance of investing in projects like BioYorkshire to benefit the life sciences sector.
  • The UK is considered a world leader in life sciences, surpassing other regions like Boston in the United States.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Julian Sturdy Con
Economy Science & Technology
Context

The question aims to understand the fiscal measures being taken by the government to foster growth in the life sciences industry.

Question

What fiscal steps he is taking to support the growth of the life sciences sector.

Answer from Gareth Davies

Life sciences are one of the Chancellor's key growth priority areas. In May, he announced a significant new policy package, backed by more than £650 million of funding, reaffirming the Government's commitment to supporting a thriving life sciences industry.

Answered
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Q2 Julian Sturdy Con
Economy Science & Technology
Context

The question follows up on the importance of life sciences and seeks to highlight specific investment zones such as BioYorkshire, located near the MP's constituency.

Question

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Life sciences are incredibly important, so will he focus investment on them in projects such as BioYorkshire on the edge of my constituency, which brings together private, public and academic institutions for huge benefits right across the board?

Answer from Gareth Davies

My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the benefits and importance of life sciences to the country. We are genuinely a world leader: I was out in Boston in the United States seeing the other world-leading area for life sciences, and it is not a patch on ours. That is why, as an example, we are looking to support life sciences through the investment zone programme, but, as I said, they are a key priority for the Chancellor as part of his growth agenda.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific focus on BioYorkshire or concrete commitment to fund it was not provided

How: As An Example, Looking To Support

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