Asked by: Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to retain key staff during the migration of back-office Research Council services to a new platform.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The details of these reforms are being worked through, but we will ensure that the longstanding expertise of our partner organisations is not lost. Appropriate transition arrangements will be put in place for those staff transferring and normal legal protections will apply. We will be maintaining open communication with staff and trade unions throughout the process to enable long term planning within the organisations concerned.
Asked by: Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what the new platform for providing back-office services to Research Councils will be; when it will be operational; and what plans they have for the safe migration of services to the new platform.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
No decisions have been taken beyond what has already been announced by the Department. The detailed plan will be developed in consultation with Partner Organisations and Unions.
Asked by: Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect Shared Business Services to cease to provide services to Research Councils.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
No decisions have been taken beyond what has already been announced by the Department. The detailed plan will be developed in consultation with Partner Organisations and Unions.
Asked by: Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the process for agreeing cross-research council proposals before accessing Global Challenge Research Fund monies.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
As stated in the recent White Paper, Government is committed to the Haldane principle, including with respect to Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). As with other areas of science and research activity, Research Councils will work with other delivery partners to prepare a high-level research strategy for the GCRF, which they will agree with Ministers. The specific approach to be taken to currently unallocated funds will be developed with delivery partners over the coming months, and will include using the funding to promote multidisciplinary research, in line with Sir Paul Nurse’s recommendations.
Asked by: Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what involvement ministers will have in determining the areas of global challenge before monies from the Global Challenge Research Fund are allocated to Research Councils.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
As stated in the recent White Paper, Government is committed to the Haldane principle, including with respect to Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). As with other areas of science and research activity, Research Councils will work with other delivery partners to prepare a high-level research strategy for the GCRF, which they will agree with Ministers. The specific approach to be taken to currently unallocated funds will be developed with delivery partners over the coming months, and will include using the funding to promote multidisciplinary research, in line with Sir Paul Nurse’s recommendations.
Asked by: Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the process by which Global Challenge Research Fund programmes will be agreed; and whether final decisions will be determined by reference to the Haldane principle.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
As stated in the recent White Paper, Government is committed to the Haldane principle, including with respect to Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). As with other areas of science and research activity, Research Councils will work with other delivery partners to prepare a high-level research strategy for the GCRF, which they will agree with Ministers. The specific approach to be taken to currently unallocated funds will be developed with delivery partners over the coming months, and will include using the funding to promote multidisciplinary research, in line with Sir Paul Nurse’s recommendations.
Asked by: Lord Willis of Knaresborough (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government when the Strategic Advisory Group for the Research Councils will be established, what will be its membership, and what are its terms of reference.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Government encourages Research Councils to work closely with other Research Councils and their communities. With regards to the Global Challenges Research Fund, Research Councils are establishing an advisory group - as they do with other areas of research. Details of the group can be found on the Research Councils UK website: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/media/news/160526/.