Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Education

Oral Answers to Questions

Daniel Zeichner Excerpts
Tuesday 28th June 2016

(7 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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The UK is the world’s largest offshore wind market today, and it will still be the largest by the end of the decade, with 10 GW expected to be installed. Despite the decision to leave the European Union, I am confident that we can still co-operate on science and research, as many countries outside the European Union do with their EU counterparts. I believe that that will ensure that this sector remains very strong.

Daniel Zeichner Portrait Daniel Zeichner (Cambridge) (Lab)
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Innovation and research are inextricably linked. Yesterday, when I asked the Prime Minister about the impact on our research institutions of the decision to leave the European Union, he assured me that existing contracts would be honoured. However, researchers are applying for funding on a daily basis. What support can be put in place to deal with the uncertainty that exists today, tomorrow and next week?

Sajid Javid Portrait Sajid Javid
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As the hon. Gentleman knows, there will be no change immediately; the current structures will stay in place for at least two years. Of course companies are concerned about what will replace them, and that is exactly what we are working on now with many researchers, businesses and others. The Minister for Universities and Science is taking this very seriously and he has already been speaking to a number of stakeholders.