Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Supply Chain Resilience

Wednesday 17 December 2025 · 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Robin Swann asked about additional funding for the ReImagining Supply Chains Network Plus programme and its alignment with city deal investments.
  • Dame Chi Onwurah inquired about the OBR's view on the AI bubble bursting and its risks to the UK economy.
  • The Minister discussed the importance of technological advancement in AI and its impact on government and industry operations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robin Swann Ulster Unionist Party South Antrim
Economy Science & Technology
Context

The hon. Member for South Antrim held an investment event in Parliament last week, where he and the right hon. Member for Belfast East hosted Antrim and Newtownabbey borough council's first Westminster economic investment showcase.

Question

What discussions has she had with Cabinet colleagues on providing additional funding for the ReImagining Supply Chains Network Plus programme? How do the Government expect that UK Research and Innovation-funded supply chain research will align with city deal investments, such as the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) in my constituency?

Answer from The Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts (Ian Murray)

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on his fantastic event in Parliament last week on this subject. I am delighted that Queen’s University Belfast is benefiting from £5 million in funding from the programme, which is part of a £13 million wider package from this Government to support making UK supply chains more resilient. The Government are investing a record £86 billion over the spending review period, which is the largest ever investment in research and development, and Ministers regularly discuss a range of issues with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that those programmes align with wider Government priorities on economic resilience and innovation. UKRI plays a key role in strengthening supply chains, supporting regional innovation hubs and aligning research with local economic development goals. This Government’s funding rounds highlight partnership opportunities, including with the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC) where projects can complement those facilities, boosting regional innovation and productivity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on how UKRI-funded research aligns with AMIC or other city deal investments.

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Q2 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Economy Science & Technology
Context

UKRI will publish its detailed funding allocations for programmes such as ReImagining Supply Chains this afternoon. The Office for Budget Responsibility has raised concerns about the bursting of the AI bubble, which presents a significant downside risk to the UK economy.

Question

Does the Minister agree with the OBR that the bursting of the AI bubble presents a significant downside risk to the UK economy? What steps are his Department and UKRI taking to protect their investment in innovative companies that would undoubtedly be affected by an AI market correction?

Answer from The Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts (Ian Murray)

I thank the Chair of the Select Committee for her question. Technological advancement in AI is going to change the way that the Government work, and the way that all of us work. The key thing about the publication of UK Research and Innovation’s document this afternoon is that it is implementing a record £86 billion-worth of investment over the spending review period—the largest ever investment in research and development. We have to trust UKRI and this Government to put that money into the places that will benefit the country most, and that means more jobs in more communities all over the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific measures or steps being taken by the Department and UKRI to protect investments from AI market corrections.

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