Innovation:
Co-operation Between Universities and Businesses
(Huddersfield)
(Lab/Co-op)
1. Whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on
encouraging co-operation between universities and businesses to
promote innovation.
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
()
Of course, I speak to colleagues on this important topic all the
time. Our science and technology framework is designed to ensure
that we do not just challenge university rankings, but translate
them into material benefits for the United Kingdom. My Department
has a number of programmes breaking down the barriers between
universities and businesses, which have contributed to the nearly
90,000 interactions reported between universities and businesses
in 2021-22. That is a 5% increase on the previous year.
Mr Sheerman
Since we have had the impact assessment of universities globally,
many of the new and more innovative small universities have
outstripped the more conventional and better-known universities.
Indeed, the Huddersfield health innovation campus is leading in
this area. Does the Minister agree that that innovation
partnership offers real opportunities for jobs in the future, and
should there not be more incentives to make innovations come
faster rather than slower?
I agree with the hon. Member about the importance of focusing on
innovation and collaboration in this area. The University of
Huddersfield received £1.63 million this year through the higher
education innovation fund to support knowledge exchange and
collaboration with business, and I am sure that we can write to
the hon. Member with more details.
Mr Speaker
I call the Chair of the Select Committee.
(Tunbridge Wells) (Con)
On 1 January this year, the UK became an associate member of the
Horizon Europe programme and Copernicus. Given our delayed start,
could the Secretary of State say what steps she is taking to
encourage participation by UK universities and businesses?
My right hon. Friend is absolutely right. I welcome the news
shared just last week by Commissioner Ivanova, who said the early
signs of uptake are absolutely excellent. Indeed, some programmes
are projecting an increase of over 50%. We are not being
complacent. We have launched a comprehensive international
marketing campaign, introduced a pump-priming scheme with the
British Academy and already started on roadshows.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)
British researchers are among the best in the world. We are not
so good at turning our brilliant research into the growth that
our economy so desperately needs, which requires collaboration
between businesses and universities throughout the long years of
discovery, testing, adoption and commercialisation. Funding
science in chunks of three years or less does not help, so
universities, businesses and researchers have all welcomed
Labour’s commitment to set 10-year budgets for funding bodies in
key institutions. Does the Secretary of State agree, or is that
too much to expect from a short-term, sticking-plaster
Government?
While the words sound good, it is this Government who are
delivering on our plan. Just a few months ago we published our
response to the spin-out review, and we are making record levels
of investment—£20 billion in research and development. This is a
Government who are not just talking the talk, but actually
delivering.
