Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund on (a) research, (b) innovation and (c) skills in universities.

DLUHC recognises the important role of universities and has made them an integral part of local partnership groups in the development of UKSPF investment plans and ongoing delivery. Local authorities can choose to support research, innovation and skills in universities through interventions under the 'supporting local business' and 'people and skills' investment priorities. Universities are entitled to apply for UKSPF funding in their local areas.