Rewiring the State

Debate between Andrew Cooper and Louise Haigh

Wednesday 2nd September 2026 Commons Chamber

[Louise Haigh]

We will reduce the size of the central civil service, shift power and resources out of Whitehall and speed up decision making.

[Andrew Cooper (Mid Cheshire) (Lab)]

May I congratulate the First Secretary of State on her appointment and welcome the creation of No. 10 North as part of the Government’s commitment to drive good growth in every postcode? In that vein, is she aware of the series of funding decisions that have been taken by the Science and Technology Facilities Council that, taken together, will shift publicly funded research and development activity from north to south? The Prime Minister has already committed to intervening over Jodrell Bank, but will the First Secretary look at the broader issue and consider how the balance of R&D spend across the country can support economic growth in every region?