Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help attract overseas researchers, academics and innovators to the UK.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
We are promoting the UK as a key destination for top science and technology talent through the GREAT Talent campaign and the Global Talent Network.
Our generous and points-based immigration offer makes it easy and fast for talented researchers and innovators to come to the UK.
We have launched a number of attractive visa routes, such as the Global Talent visa, which has seen a 76% rise in visas issued in the year ending June 2023.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many specialist spaces she expects to be constructed for T Level students with the £50 million funding allocated in the Science and Technology Framework.
Answered by George Freeman
On 6 March, the Government announced measures worth around £500 million to support delivery of the science and technology Framework. The Framework set out the UK's ambition for science and technology skills and talent to 2030, which included widening participation at higher technical levels.
Separately, the Department for Education has awarded nearly £200 million to T Level course providers between 2020 and 2023, almost £100 million through the Specialist Equipment Allocation, and at least a further £80 million for Wave 4 T Levels in March 2023. Further capital projects will be announced in the summer to support delivery from 2024.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the UK becoming fully associated to Horizon Europe on universities in the UK.
Answered by George Freeman
Due to the EU’s delays in implementing the UK’s association to Horizon Europe, the Government introduced the Horizon Europe guarantee, which covers all Horizon calls that close on or before 31 March 2023. This has enabled successful UK-based Horizon researchers to receive the full value of their funding and means researchers do not need to relocate abroad. To the end of January 2023, guarantee awards have been made to 1,548 recipients totalling £751 million.
If the EU’s delays continue, the Government will be ready to introduce a comprehensive alternative programme to support the UK R&D sector.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department is taking steps to fully associate the UK to Horizon Europe.
Answered by George Freeman
The Government has been tirelessly pushing the EU to implement the UK’s association to Horizon Europe including launching consultations in August 2022. The EU has continued to delay UK association to the detriment of researchers in both the UK and EU.
During these delays the Government introduced the Horizon Europe guarantee, which was recently extended to cover all Horizon calls that close on or before 31 March 2023, enabling successful UK-based Horizon applicants to receive funding.
If the EU’s delays continue, the Government will be ready to introduce a comprehensive alternative programme to support the UK R&D sector.
Asked by: Layla Moran (Liberal Democrat - Oxford West and Abingdon)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an estimate of the number of researchers who have left UK universities due to the delays to the UK's association to Horizon Europe.
Answered by George Freeman
The Government has been tirelessly pushing the EU to implement the UK’s association to Horizon Europe, but the EU has continued to delay the UK’s association.
During these delays the Government introduced the Horizon Europe guarantee, which was recently extended to cover all Horizon calls that close on or before 31 March 2023. This ensures that eligible, successful applicants to Horizon Europe will receive the full value of their funding at their UK host institution for the lifetime of their grant and do not need to leave the UK. The Government does not hold the information requested.