Extract from Science, Innovation and Technology questions: Medical Technology: Research and Development - Feb 21

Medical Technology: Research and Development

Liz Twist (Blaydon) (Lab)
5. What steps her Department is taking to support research and development in medical technology.

The Minister for Science, Research and Innovation (Andrew Griffith)
The UK has an exceptional record of innovation in medical technology. There could not be a more exciting time for the sector; we are extending the length and quality of human life, and solving rare diseases, with the help of the Medical Research Council’s £650 million grant this year.

Liz Twist
The north-east has a fantastic life sciences sector, with 7,000 people working in it and a unique combination of medical and technology assets, networks and academic expertise. However, with business investment at record lows, what are the Government doing to ensure that our brilliant research and development is transferred into real manufacturing jobs?

Andrew Griffith
As the hon. Lady will know, the Government are investing in medical manufacturing. I would be happy to meet her or businesses in her constituency to make sure that they can access those funds. However, it is only the good stewardship of our economy that has allowed us to continue to invest record amounts in research and innovation in the UK.