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Research and Development Funding — [Peter Dowd in the Chair]
17 March 2021
Lead MP
Daniel Zeichner
Cambridge
Lab
Responding Minister
Amanda Solloway
Tags
TaxationEmploymentBrexitForeign AffairsScience & Technology
Word Count: 12930
Other Contributors: 10
At a Glance
Daniel Zeichner raised concerns about research and development funding — [peter dowd in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The lead MP asks the government to ensure that funding for Horizon Europe is not diverted from existing science budgets, reverse cuts to official development assistance (ODA) research funding, and address issues with ARIA's implementation. He also urges the minister to tackle workforce challenges in R&D by improving conditions for international researchers and addressing diversity issues.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The debate focuses on the challenges to research and development funding in the UK post-Brexit. It highlights concerns over the UK's reduced influence in EU decision-making regarding Horizon Europe, potential cuts from the existing science budget, impacts of aid budget reductions on international collaborative projects, and issues with the new Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA). The MP also points out historical underinvestment in R&D compared to other developed countries. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong workforce in research institutions despite visa costs and pay freezes.
Anthony Browne
Con
South Cambridgeshire
Emphasized the importance of research and development for economic growth, highlighting South Cambridgeshire's position as a life sciences superpower. Noted that companies like bit.bio are doing pioneering work despite being years away from commercial application. Advocated for increased funding in the biomedical catalyst scheme to leverage more private sector investment.
Carol Monaghan
SNP
Glasgow North West
Concerned about the £120 million shortfall in UKRI funding and its impact on projects funded through ODA, including racial justice work at the University of Glasgow. Urges clarity on ARIA funding and calls for protection of international research collaboration. She also raised concerns about ODA spending reductions affecting research budgets.
Chi Onwurah
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
The UK has a proud tradition of science, innovation, research and development that contributes £95 billion to the economy. However, the Government's failure to support this sector is concerning, with cross-party agreement on the importance of R&D funding being undermined by lack of action. The Government's cuts to overseas development are impacting international collaboration, while charity medical research has been ignored during the pandemic. Early-career researchers face uncertainty and job losses due to insufficient support from the Government. Regional disparities in R&D investment also persist, with the north-east receiving less per-head funding than other regions. She raised official development assistance and the impact of the pandemic on funding for BEIS R&D development programmes.
Chris Skidmore
Con
Bromsgrove
Mr Skidmore thanked the hon. Member for Cambridge for securing today's debate and praised the Government's renewed commitment to spend 2.4% of GDP on R&D by 2027. He highlighted his previous role as Science Minister where he advocated increasing both public and private investment in R&D, noting that other countries like Germany are now spending more than the UK. With only 302 weeks left until 2027, Skidmore emphasized the need for certainty and advance planning to meet the target.
Derek Thomas
Con
St Ives
He emphasised the need for adequate public research funding for brain tumours and highlighted that only 14% of UK spend on brain tumour research is from the Government. More than 100,000 people have signed a petition calling for increased government support in this area.
Greg Clark
Con
Barnett
He congratulated the hon. Member for Cambridge on securing this debate and expressed disappointment that he did not burst into song at the end of his speech. Mr Clark highlighted the importance of UK science and technology in international collaboration, especially during the pandemic. He mentioned the government's commitment to invest 2.4% of GDP in science by 2027 and achieve a public R&D budget of £22 billion. However, he raised concerns about the uncertainty regarding UKRI's budget for the upcoming financial year and whether the UK's contribution to Horizon Europe would be deducted from the science budget. He also pointed out that temporary reductions in ODA spending are causing UKRI to terminate existing grants and unable to initiate new awards.
Arfon
Welsh research is critical for global competitiveness, sustainable development and economic resilience. However, regional inequalities in R&D funding persist with Wales receiving only £250 per head compared to £587 in England. The MP highlighted the need for equitable funding to support marginalised economies like Wales and protect research projects at Bangor University. He raised the question of levelling up and ensuring that R&D benefits all areas across the UK.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Mr Shannon praised the Government's support for scientific research during the coronavirus pandemic and highlighted the importance of investment in healthcare and R&D. He questioned whether funding for Horizon Europe would be additional to the existing R&D budget, expressing concern over potential funding gaps. He also emphasised the need for collaboration between universities and businesses, citing Queen's University Belfast as an example.
Peter Dowd
Lab
Bootle
Reminded hon. Members about the changes to normal practice due to hybrid arrangements, including amended timings for debates and a suspension between each debate.
Steve McCabe
Lab
Birmingham, Selly Oak
Mr. McCabe congratulated the Member for Cambridge on securing the debate and welcomed ARIA's guaranteed life of at least ten years. He highlighted the need for long-term funding and support for research in areas like electric vehicle batteries and medical technology. He emphasised that unless there is significant support, UK will be behind Europe in gigafactory developments. Additionally, he called for a strategy to help regions outside London, South East, and Eastern England secure R&D investment. He focused on issues of levelling up and funding disparities in different regions.
Government Response
Amanda Solloway
Government Response
The Minister stated that the UK has an agreement to participate in Horizon Europe, a programme welcomed by businesses and the research community. She noted that R&D is about relationships as well as investments. The Government plans to continue working through costs associated with Horizon Europe and will set out their plans for R&D spend including funding for Horizon Europe in due course. Regarding ODA spending reductions, she acknowledged the depth of feeling across the research sector regarding ongoing funding but explained the impact of the pandemic on UK aid spending. She highlighted that BEIS is committed to protecting strong research programmes through collaboration with delivery partners. The Minister also spoke about the R&D people and culture strategy aimed at ensuring the R&D sector has the necessary talent, and she reiterated the Government's commitment to levelling up by publishing the UK R&D places strategy in the summer, focusing on outcomes and impact across different areas of the country. She discussed the importance of public investment in R&D and its leverage of private sector investment, citing figures such as £14.6 billion invested in 2021-22 and £1.4 billion increase by 2023-24. The Minister also mentioned plans to publish a new innovation strategy and introduced Future Fund: Breakthrough for scaling up R&D-intensive businesses.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.