Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Neil O'Brien and Lord Sharma

Tuesday 3rd March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Neil O'Brien (Harborough) (Con)]

Nearly half the core research and development budget is spent in just three cities—Oxford, Cambridge and London—and yet for every pound of private investment that such spending leverages in London, we get £3 in the east midlands and £5 in the west midlands. Does the Minister agree that, if we are going to level up, we need a fairer division of spending on R&D?

[Alok Sharma]

As I said in answer to an earlier question, I absolutely want to see levelling up, and I want to see money put into centres of excellence around the country.