Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Supporting Innovation

Wednesday 27 November 2024 · 7 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government is working with universities and businesses through the business innovation grant and industrial strategy.
  • Northern Ireland's universities receive 11 million of funding for a cyber-AI hub at Queen's University Belfast.
  • Wrightbus is producing 1,000 low-carbon buses, securing 500 jobs in its factory and creating 1,500 additional jobs across the UK supply chain.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Northern Ireland Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The question comes after the passing of Ken Reid, a former UTV political editor closely associated with Northern Ireland oral questions.

Question

What steps are being taken to help support innovation in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Fleur Anderson

The Government is working with universities and businesses through the business innovation grant and industrial strategy. The launch of Invest NI's business innovation grant, receiving £440,000 of UK Government funding, complements these efforts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete steps beyond mentioning existing initiatives without details.

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Q2 Chris Murray Lab Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
Education Northern Ireland Science & Technology
Context

The constituency has two universities that do excellent work with counterparts in Northern Ireland.

Question

How is the Government working with universities to support innovation in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Fleur Anderson

Northern Ireland's universities are key partners through the UK Government's new deal for Northern Ireland, which includes £11 million of funding to Queen's University Belfast's centre for secure information technologies to deliver a cyber-AI hub. This investment is unlocking additional private sector investment.

Answered
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Q3 Dan Aldridge Lab Weston-super-Mare
Economy Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

Free trade across the UK single market is vital for supporting innovation in Northern Ireland.

Question

What steps are being taken to streamline Northern Ireland's ability to trade with all corners of the UK?

Answer from Fleur Anderson

The business innovation grant offers up to £20,000 grants to SMEs enabling them to come into the market, supporting innovation across the whole country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps for streamlining trade.

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Q4 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

Northern Ireland hosts major innovative companies such as Wrightbus, Spirit AeroSystems, and Harland & Wolff.

Question

Can the UK Government look again at the future of these businesses to ensure investments and jobs stay in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Fleur Anderson

The Department for Business and Trade remains in contact with Spirit, Airbus, Boeing, and other potential buyers. They continue to provide over £13 million of support for Short Brothers' research and development activity.

Answered
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Q5 Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

Northern Ireland is at the forefront for fibre broadband due to a confidence and supply deal with the previous Government.

Question

What is being done to promote this golden innovative opportunity nationally?

Answer from Fleur Anderson

The UK Government are working with businesses, trade unions, local and devolved leaders, experts and international partners to develop the industrial strategy. Eight growth-driving sectors have been identified, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy industries, creative industries, among others.

Answered
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Q6 Andrew Murrison Con South West Wiltshire
Northern Ireland Business & Trade
Context

The Irish Government published a national semiconductor strategy.

Question

Has the Minister studied this strategy? How will Northern Ireland exploit it?

Answer from Fleur Anderson

I have not yet looked at it, but I will go away and study it as it sounds like a very important aspect of our joint working. We have many international business opportunities to work with counterparts in the Republic of Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on studying or exploiting the strategy.

How: Will Go Away And Study It

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Q7 Jim Allister TUV North Antrim
Climate Northern Ireland Energy
Context

Ken Reid's family is a constituent, and he praised Wrightbus in his constituency.

Question

How far have the Government invested in advancing hydrogen technology at Wrightbus?

Answer from Fleur Anderson

Northern Ireland is leading the way with Wrightbus producing 1,000 low-carbon buses, securing 500 jobs in its factory, and creating 1,500 additional jobs across the UK supply chain through their transition to net zero.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific investment details for hydrogen technology.

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