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 ensure that Science and Discovery Centres have access to central Government funding streams, including eligibility for Department for Culture, Media and Sport funding for arts and heritage infrastructure.

The Government recognises the contribution of Science and Discovery Centres to inspiring young people to pursue STEM interests and careers. Where they carry out research, Science Discovery Centres are eligible to apply for funding through UK Research and Innovation or other funders. Science and Discovery Centres are mainly cultural institutions and visitor attractions. Eligibility for, and access to, central Government funding streams for arts, culture and heritage infrastructure is a matter for the department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

DSIT is engaging with DCMS to consider how best to support Science and Discovery Centres and will write to the Science and Technology Committee, responding to questions 50–52, in due course.