Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions the Government has had with (a) local authorities, (b) local enterprise partnerships, (c) combined authorities and (d) devolved institutions about allocating funding for projects under the life sciences sector deal.

The government and the life sciences sector have worked extensively since August to agree this sector deal, working together strategically to enhance the attractiveness of the UK. This collaboration includes more than 25 organisations – business large and small, charities and academia. The UK has world class life sciences clusters across the country and the Industrial Strategy’s aim is to distribute growth and opportunity, investing in projects around the UK. The next phase of the Deal will be an opportunity to further identify and develop regional approaches to its implementation, working with key UK life sciences clusters and Devolved Administrations. The life sciences sector deal can be seen here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/life-sciences-sector-deal