Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to extend the Horizon Europe guarantee beyond the end of June 2023.
Answered by George Freeman
On the 8 June 2023, the Government announced an extension to the Horizon Europe Guarantee, it will cover all Horizon Europe grant calls that close on or before 30 September 2023.
Our priority remains to support the UK R&D sector by providing the funding for existing applicants and as the end of May 2023, UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) has issued over 2,000 Grant Offer Letters for grant awards of £1.10 billion.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing a UK vaccinology network to research immunogenicity, mucosal immunity, and vaccines for people with compromised immune systems.
Answered by George Freeman
The Life Sciences Vision committed the Government to delivering a Vaccines Healthcare Mission which will build on the UK’s deep expertise in vaccines to strengthen the UK life sciences ecosystem, with a particular focus on new and novel technologies. This will include maximising the opportunities to continue to improve core immunology, vaccinology and clinical trial design and infrastructure as well as deepening expertise in vaccine formulation and delivery.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress she has made on the ratification of the UK’s association with the EU’s Horizon Europe programme.
Answered by George Freeman
The Government welcomes the EU’s recent openness to discussions on UK association to EU Programmes following two years of delays. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State travelled to Brussels ahead of publication of the Pioneer prospectus, for an introductory meeting with R&I Commissioner Mariya Gabriel to discuss research collaboration including the UK’s expectations around association to Horizon Europe.
Association to Horizon Europe is our preference. But association would need to be on the basis of a good deal for the UK’s researchers, businesses and taxpayers. If the UK is not able associate on fair and appropriate terms, Pioneer will be implemented – our bold, ambitious alternative.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on the alignment between the Government’s Major Conditions Strategy and the Life Sciences Vision.
Answered by George Freeman
Both the Major Conditions Strategy and the Life Sciences Vision look to support the health system in preserving good health and the early detection and treatment of diseases. As part of the Life Sciences Vision, we have already made progress on dementia, mental health and cancer, announcing £157.7M of funding and appointing expert Mission chairs. The Major Conditions Strategy will provide further focus on the need to shift the health system’s model towards preserving good health, and the early detection and treatment of diseases, harnessing innovation and technology to reduce demand downstream on health and care services.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what proportion of people employed within her Department have recorded that they have a disability.
Answered by George Freeman
DSIT employees remain employed by their previous departments until the new department is established by a Transfer of Functions order. Data for BEIS and DCMS employees can be found below.
For BEIS, the proportion of people employed by the Department who have recorded that they have a disability was 11% as of 28 February 2023.
As of 28th February, 9.1% of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport declared a disability.
Asked by: Vicky Foxcroft (Labour - Lewisham North)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has a Ministerial disability champion.
Answered by George Freeman
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology does not currently have a Ministerial disability champion.