Oral Answers to Questions

Rebecca Paul Excerpts

Wednesday 8th January 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I can say no. [Laughter.] Come on!

[Rebecca Paul (Reigate) (Con)]

5. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of increases in employer national insurance contributions on the science and technology sectors.

[The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)]

The Government have increased investment in R&D to record levels. We have also repaired the public finances, including the black hole left by the previous Administration. We have done so by protecting the smallest businesses through the impact of doubling the employment allowance to £10,500, meaning that 865,000 employers will pay nothing in additional tax.

[Rebecca Paul]

I thank the Secretary of State for his response. However, universities, which are at the heart of the UK’s research ecosystem, face an additional £372 million in annual costs due to the rise in employer national insurance. That threatens their ability to fund cutting-edge research, recruit top talent and support early career researchers. Does he recognise the detrimental impact that will have on research in this country? Will he explore measures to ensure that our global competitiveness in science and innovation is not undermined?