Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Net Zero Technologies: University Research

Wednesday 15 November 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 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister expressed pride in Cranfield University's role in net zero technology research and commercialization.
  • Minister committed to championing polar research through meetings and all-party parliamentary group support.
  • Minister pledged to work collaboratively with Labour MPs to drive forward British science, including net zero initiatives.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
Education Climate
Context

The question arises from the need to support UK universities' work on net zero technologies, crucial for addressing climate change.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help support universities with research and development on net zero technologies. I am incredibly proud of the leading role that Cranfield University in my constituency is playing, not just in pioneering research around net zero but in commercialisation of that technology.

Answer from Andrew Griffith

I share the hon. Member's pride in the wonderful work done by Cranfield University and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions. We are providing £1.6 billion of funding for the UK's nine Catapults, including the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, some of which will go to the Cranfield Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The economic benefits and support for specific companies such as Cranfield Aerospace Solutions was not addressed in detail.

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Q2 Alistair Strathern Lab Hitchin
Science & Technology
Context

The question stems from the importance of British scientific research in polar regions, with many UK universities leading in this field.

Question

In the wall-to-wall briefings he is currently getting, will he particularly ask for briefings on British science in the Arctic and the Antarctic? We have 78 universities that are leading in that field—we are the fourth largest polar scientific research nation. We are a leader in that area, and the Minister needs to know all about it.

Answer from Andrew Griffith

I know that my hon. Friend does fantastic work highlighting polar research through the all-party parliamentary group for the polar regions. I will be happy to champion that work, and to meet him regarding that important domain for science.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for briefings on British science in the Arctic and Antarctic was not directly addressed; instead, there is a commitment to championing the work.

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Q3 James Gray Con
Climate Science & Technology
Context

The issue pertains to the challenges faced by green businesses due to regulatory hurdles, which Labour proposes to address through a regulatory innovation office.

Question

I welcome the Minister to his role. I hope he will share his predecessor's enthusiasm for, and commitment to, science. Climate change presents huge challenges and huge opportunities. Labour would champion university clusters and spin-outs as engines of sustainable regional growth. Great green job-creating businesses such as Low Carbon Materials, a Durham University spin-out, and Airex, an award-winning retrofit start-up, are bogged down by Tory red tape, with some new products subject to 11 different regulators. Will the Minister adopt Labour's proposal for a regulatory innovation office to unblock the system, end damaging uncertainty and drive much-needed growth?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

I thank the hon. Lady for her question, and look forward to working collaboratively with her. I absolutely share my predecessor's determination to drive forward British science, including the all-important work on net zero.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific proposal for a regulatory innovation office was not adopted or directly addressed.

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Q4 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Economy Climate
Context

The question concerns the support for UK universities and their spin-off companies working on net zero technologies, focusing specifically on commercialisation.

Question

I thank the Minister for that answer. I am incredibly proud of the leading role that Cranfield University in my constituency is playing, not just in pioneering research around net zero but in commercialisation of that technology. Can the Minister outline what further support we can offer companies such as Cranfield Aerospace Solutions in my constituency, to make sure we capture that economic benefit locally in the future?

Answer from Andrew Griffith

I share the hon. Member's pride in the wonderful work done by Cranfield University and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions. We are providing £1.6 billion of funding for the UK's nine Catapults, including the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, some of which will go to the Cranfield Digital Aviation Research and Technology Centre.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question on capturing economic benefit locally was not directly addressed; instead, there is a mention of funding for UK Catapults.

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