Oral Answers to Questions

Henry Smith Excerpts
Tuesday 12th July 2022

(1 year, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Henry Smith Portrait Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)
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4. What recent steps his Department has taken to help increase the level of research and development spending.

Chris Clarkson Portrait Chris Clarkson (Heywood and Middleton) (Con)
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19. What recent steps his Department has taken to help increase the level of research and development spending.

Greg Hands Portrait The Minister for Energy, Clean Growth and Climate Change (Greg Hands)
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We are providing the fastest ever sustained uplift in R&D funding, reaching £20 billion per annum by 2024-25. If association to Horizon Europe is not possible in good time to make the most of that programme, we will take forward a bold and ambitious package of UK alternatives.

Henry Smith Portrait Henry Smith
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This country has been world-leading in its covid-19 vaccination programme and so much more in our pharmaceutical industries as well as the health sector. Can the Minister say a little more about what specific research and development investment will go into pharmaceuticals and the health sector? I would particularly like to mention cancer services and Alector oncology in my constituency which is expanding.

Greg Hands Portrait Greg Hands
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My hon. Friend has always been a passionate advocate and defender of business in the Crawley constituency, specifically R&D projects and innovation, and I am glad he mentioned Alector and others, as they are important companies in his constituency. We continue to support investment in R&D through a vibrant research and innovation system that attracts private sector investment and drives up productivity across the UK, including in Crawley.