Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Dan Jarvis Excerpts
Wednesday 14th June 2023

(1 year, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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George Freeman Portrait George Freeman
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My right hon. Friend will appreciate that, as the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, I cannot comment on Home Office plans to deal with refugees, but I can pay tribute to the work of Scampton Holdings Ltd and the very innovative proposal for the regeneration of that site with a whole raft of facilities, including in innovation support. I very much look forward to coming up in due course, once the refugee issue is sorted, to support him in taking that forward.

Dan Jarvis Portrait Dan Jarvis (Barnsley Central) (Lab)
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Metro Mayors have an important role to play in driving innovation in the regions. Can the Minister give an assurance that he will work closely with them?

George Freeman Portrait George Freeman
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Yes, I am absolutely delighted to do so. The Metro Mayors are key parts of our innovation ecosystem, and the three innovation accelerators that have we put in place are fundamentally co-created and led from the bottom up in Glasgow, Manchester and the west midlands. I am actively reaching out to work with the Metro Mayors, as well as with devolved Science Ministers, on extending our science investment to unify all regions of this country and strengthen those urban economies.