Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Modern Industrial Strategy

Wednesday 17 December 2025 · 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 4 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andy McDonald thanked the Secretary of State for her answer and welcomed the passage of the Employment Rights Bill through the Lords, calling it the greatest uplift in workers' rights in a generation.
  • Adam Thompson congratulated the Government on identifying advanced manufacturing as a sector with significant growth potential and praised the doubling of R&D investment in critical technologies.
  • Vikki Slade pointed out that despite life sciences being a key sector in the modern industrial strategy, none of the seven projects are in the south-west, and there is no reference to Dorset.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andy McDonald Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
Employment Climate Business & Trade
Context

The MP noted the opening of new engineering training centres in his constituency, highlighting Middlesbrough College's TTE centre and Teesside University's Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre. These facilities are closely aligned with the UK's modern industrial strategy 2025.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for her answer. Can I take this opportunity to welcome the passage of the Employment Rights Bill through the Lords? It will deliver the greatest uplift in workers’ rights in a generation. Less than two weeks ago, I took part in a steel signing ceremony at the new NETA engineering training centre in Thornaby in my constituency, following the opening of Middlesbrough college’s new TTE centre, and all dovetailing with Teesside University’s Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre. With all those new facilities, does the Secretary of State agree that Middlesbrough and Thornaby East is helping to lead the delivery of the UK’s modern industrial strategy, and will she take the opportunity to visit some of our fantastic new industrial and digital facilities on Teesside?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)

I absolutely agree that Middlesbrough and Thornaby East is leading the way in delivering our modern industrial strategy, creating more good jobs that pay a decent wage and building the future economy that our country needs. I would be delighted to see more of that excellent work, and I believe that my office has already been in contact with my hon. Friend’s office to arrange it.

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Q2 Adam Thompson Lab Erewash
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The MP referenced his experience as a research scientist, specifically mentioning the role of advanced manufacturing. He highlighted companies like Atlas Composite Technologies, Status Metrology, and R. A. Labone.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for her answers. I used to be one of those research scientists. I worked in metrology for advanced manufacturing, so I am glad that the Government have identified advanced manufacturing as one of the eight sectors with the greatest growth potential. From the Victorian gentlemen scientists who redefined the way we see our universe to the women driving the fourth industrial revolution, the British have always been able to make the best things. How is the Secretary of State supporting novel technologies through the technology readiness scale to maximise growth for small and medium-sized enterprises in Erewash, such as Atlas Composite Technologies, Status Metrology and R. A. Labone?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)

I am very proud that my hon. Friend sits on the Government Benches, with all his experience in this critical area. As part of our backing for research and development, we are doubling R&D investment in critical technologies such as engineering biology, AI and quantum, with R&D investment in AI alone growing from £600 million to £1.6 billion. Today—in a mere 20 minutes, I believe—UKRI will publish the level of direct support to be given to each of the industrial strategy sectors, and that includes the support we are providing to our vital small businesses.

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Q3 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
Education Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The MP met her constituent Kevin, who leads a project called TESTBED Dorset. She noted that life sciences is one of the key sectors in the modern industrial strategy but highlighted the absence of projects in the south-west.

Question

Last week I met my constituent Kevin, the programme lead for TESTBED Dorset. He told me that although life sciences is one of the key sectors in the modern industrial strategy, none of the seven projects is in the south-west, and there is not a single reference to Dorset. The living science park will create a vast area for academic research based in our landscapes, supported by landowners, universities from Bournemouth, Bristol and Southampton, the National Trust and Natural England, focused on a “one health” approach. Will the Secretary of State meet me and those lead organisations to hear more about the programme and consider it for the future?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)

I also wish the hon. Lady a happy birthday. I am happy for either me or Patrick Vallance—the life sciences Minister in the other place—to meet her and her colleagues. Later today, UKRI will set out future funding for the eight areas of our industrial strategy, which it—and I—will want to ensure is spread fairly across the country. I am more than happy to discuss that with her further.

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Q4 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Defence Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlighted an advanced manufacturing cluster and over 5,000 high-skilled jobs in his constituency. He specifically mentioned the deal concluded by Boeing to become the successor owner of Short Brothers.

Question

The Secretary of State will know that in my constituency we have an advanced manufacturing cluster and proudly boast over 5,000 high-skilled jobs in defence, maritime and aerospace. She will understand that last week Boeing concluded its deal to become the successor owner of Short Brothers. Will she confirm that the Government will continue to support advanced manufacturing in my constituency, whether it be with Boeing, Airbus, Thales or Harland & Wolff?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)

Yes, I absolutely reaffirm that commitment. The right hon. Member will know that we are increasing our defence spending, and alongside that is the work we are doing in our Department. The defence sector is critical for jobs and backing the research and development that will lead to further demand and further innovation.

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