Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that universities' plans for research and innovation are integrated into her Department's strategy.

The Government supports a range of policy interventions to ensure that the knowledge generated in universities has impact in the economy, for example:

Per year, £280m is invested in Higher Education Innovation Funding to support knowledge exchange between universities, business and other partners. Similarly, the Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research programme supports researchers to commercialise their research, and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, funded through Innovate UK, offer early career researchers the opportunity to work, with business on innovative projects.

Research England are currently reviewing these programmes, to ensure that they meet the needs of universities, participants and support government objectives.