Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Innovation: Co-operation Between Universities and Businesses

Wednesday 21 February 2024 · 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Barry Sheerman inquired about discussions with Cabinet colleagues on encouraging co-operation between universities and businesses to promote innovation.
  • The UK became an associate member of the Horizon Europe programme and Copernicus on January 1, 2024, and steps are being taken to encourage participation by UK entities, including international marketing campaigns and pump-priming schemes.
  • Greg Clark questioned the steps being taken to encourage participation by UK universities and businesses in the Horizon Europe programme and Copernicus, to which the Secretary of State responded with the launch of a comprehensive international marketing campaign and the introduction of a pump-priming scheme.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Barry Sheerman Lab
Education Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The MP is inquiring about the government's efforts to encourage collaboration between educational institutions and private enterprises for innovation purposes.

Question

Whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on encouraging co-operation between universities and businesses to promote innovation. My Department has several programmes aimed at breaking down barriers between these two sectors, contributing to nearly 90,000 interactions reported in the previous year.

Answer from Michelle Donelan

I speak to colleagues regularly on this topic. Our science and technology framework translates university rankings into tangible benefits for the UK, contributing to nearly 90,000 interactions reported in 2021-22. University of Huddersfield received £1.63 million through the higher education innovation fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about future job creation and incentives was not directly addressed.

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Q2 Barry Sheerman Lab
Science & Technology
Context

The MP is questioning the Secretary of State about steps taken to encourage UK universities and businesses to participate in these international programmes following a delayed start.

Question

On 1 January, the UK became an associate member of the Horizon Europe programme and Copernicus. Given our delayed start, could she say what steps are being taken to encourage participation by UK entities?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

My right hon. Friend raises a valid point. Commissioner Ivanova's news last week indicated excellent uptake early on, with some programmes projecting an over 50% increase. We are not complacent, launching international marketing campaigns, introducing pump-priming schemes, and initiating roadshows.

Answered
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Q3 Greg Clark Con
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the UK's late entry into the Horizon Europe programme and Copernicus and seeks to understand how the government is addressing this issue.

Question

On 1 January, the UK became an associate member of the Horizon Europe programme and Copernicus. Given our delayed start, could the Secretary of State say what steps she is taking to encourage participation by UK universities and businesses?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

My right hon. Friend makes a valid point. We launched a comprehensive international marketing campaign, introduced a pump-priming scheme with the British Academy and started roadshows.

Answered
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Q4 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Economy Science & Technology
Context

The MP highlights the importance of sustained investment in research and development to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and economic growth, questioning the government's commitment compared to Labour's proposal.

Question

British researchers are among the best in the world. We are not so good at turning our brilliant research into economic growth through collaboration with businesses throughout the long years of discovery, testing, adoption and commercialisation. Funding science in chunks of three years or less does not help. Does she agree with Labour's commitment to set 10-year budgets for funding bodies?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

While the words sound good, it is this Government who are delivering on our plan. We published a response to the spin-out review recently and are making record levels of investment—£20 billion in research and development.

Not addressed: The specific ask about 10-year budgets was not directly addressed.

How: While The Words Sound Good, It Is This Government Who Are Delivering On Our Plan.

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