Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with His Majesty’s Treasury about the steps required to ensure the long-term sustainability of research funding in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme, B) England and c) the United Kingdom.

DSIT Ministers and officials meet regularly with Treasury counterparts on research and development funding priorities. DSIT is investing a record £86 billion in research and development from 2026/27 to 2029/30. UK Research and Innovation support c. £36 million of active projects across Shropshire and Staffordshire, benefiting Newcastle-under-Lyme. We are working with funders, the Devolved Governments and the university sector to transition to sustainable research funding models, including improving research grant cost recovery and reforming Strategic Institutional Funding and research assessment. Through the Post‑16 Education and Skills White Paper, we are strengthening the long‑term sustainability of universities and the research base.