All 1 Debates between George Freeman and Joanna Cherry

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between George Freeman and Joanna Cherry
Wednesday 19th July 2023

(1 year, 4 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Joanna Cherry Portrait Joanna Cherry (Edinburgh South West) (SNP)
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2. What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of UK Research and Innovation funding for decarbon-isation technologies.

George Freeman Portrait The Minister for Science, Research and Innovation (George Freeman)
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We can all be proud that this country is leading the global charge on net zero. As part of our historic uplift in R&D expenditure to £20 billion a year—£52 billion over the consolidated spending review period—UK Research and Innovation is investing in £800 million annually on research and innovation in net zero, and £210 million through the industrial decarbon-isation fund. I am delighted that Scotland is in the vanguard, with more than 1,400 projects funded, in receipt of £1.3 billion. The Faraday battery challenge investment of £540 million appears to be working, with the good news today of Tata’s multibillion investment in a £4 billion gigafactory.

Joanna Cherry Portrait Joanna Cherry
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I am delighted to hear the Minister acknowledge that Scotland is in the vanguard of research in this area. The Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre at Heriot-Watt University in my constituency has become a focal point of collaboration and innovation for UK industrial clusters, but the excellent progress that it is making is at risk owing to a funding gap. Will the Minister meet me to discuss the vital work being done at Heriot-Watt University, and how the Government can support it better in its efforts to help them to reach their industrial decarbonisation targets?

George Freeman Portrait George Freeman
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Brevity, Mr Speaker: yes, with pleasure.