Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the life sciences strategy.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and their officials have been in regular engagement with the Chancellor, HM Treasury, and colleagues across government on the Life Sciences Strategy and the wider Industrial Strategy. Health and life sciences are key drivers of economic growth, productivity, and global competitiveness—making close collaboration with HM Treasury essential to ensuring the strategy aligns with the government’s broader Plan for Growth. The strategy sets out targeted action to strengthen world-class R&D, attract investment, and accelerate healthcare innovation—supporting high-growth businesses, improving health outcomes, and reinforcing the UK’s global leadership in life sciences.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on whether gene-editing technology exports to the EU will need to (a) meet UK domestic standards only or (b) conform to future changes to EU SPS rules.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

We have now agreed the parameters which will establish a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers.

We will update on progress with discussions with the EU in due course, but the UK has been clear about the importance of supporting the use of new and innovative technologies.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the UK-EU Strategic Partnership, announced 19 May 2025, what discussions he has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) his EU counterparts on whether participation in joint UK–EU research programmes will be conditional on UK adherence to EU rules on (a) gene editing technologies and (b) the precautionary principle.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

We have now agreed the parameters which will establish a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers.

We will update on progress with discussions with the EU in due course, but the UK has been clear about the importance of supporting the use of new and innovative technologies.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the UK-EU Strategic Partnership, announced on 19 May 2025, on the UK's regulatory framework for gene editing in agriculture and medicine.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

We have now agreed the parameters which will establish a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement to make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier, cutting costs and red tape for British producers and retailers.

We will update on progress with discussions with the EU in due course, but the UK has been clear about the importance of supporting the use of new and innovative technologies.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help secure future life sciences research in UK.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is taking decisive steps to secure the future of life sciences research in the UK. The upcoming Life Sciences Sector Plan sets out a bold vision to strengthen world-class R&D, attract global investment, and accelerate healthcare innovation. This includes investment in cutting-edge research infrastructure, support for talent and skills, and deeper collaboration between academia, industry, and the NHS. The recent announcement of BioNTech’s c.£1 billion R&D investment demonstrates our ambition to secure the future of life sciences research and development in the UK.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in levels of funding for medicines on life sciences research.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology is working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care on the current Mid Scheme Review for the Voluntary Scheme for branded medicines pricing, access and growth (VPAG) and is aware of the impact which funding of medicines could have on life sciences research. In addition, the upcoming Life Sciences Sector Plan will set out a bold vision to strengthen world-class R&D, attract global investment, and accelerate healthcare innovation to ensure the UK remains a strong place for life sciences research.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to recommendation 4 of the independent report entitled AI Opportunities Action Plan, published by his Department on 13 January 2025, whether he plans to introduce a streamlined planning approvals process for AI Growth Zones.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is committed to enabling the timely delivery of AI infrastructure across the UK. The Planning and Infrastructure Bill will support the streamlining of planning approvals for AI infrastructure and data centres, building on work led by MHCLG and reinforced by the inclusion of data centres in the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects consenting approach.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out measures to enable the growth of AI infrastructure, including addressing challenges such as planning and energy access. As part of this, the Government is engaging with local and regional authorities, and relevant regulators to support timely decision-making.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the life sciences strategy.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology has worked closely with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the development of the Life Sciences Strategy. The strategy has been developed in tandem with the NHS’s 10-Year Plan to ensure alignment between health and industrial policy. This collaboration has included the co-commissioning of a series of task and finish groups to support the strategy’s development and ensure strong alignment between the two plans, maximising their impact on both health outcomes and economic growth.

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