Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to support BioYorkshire; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of funding for that programme.

The York and North Yorkshire proposed devolution deal signed on 1 August 2022 commits UKRI to seek opportunities to support the development of the BioYorkshire cluster. An inaugural meeting of the BioYorkshire Steering Group took place on 29 November 2022 with representation from UKRI on the Group. It was agreed that the University of York, working with local partners, would develop a BioYorkshire masterplan and programme by Spring 2023 to drive the cluster’s growth. UKRI continue to engage stakeholders to understand the evolving strategy and strengths of the BioYorkshire cluster and to identify elements within this plan for UKRI support.