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 support economic sector clusters to bid for funding into research and development.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology provides targeted support for innovation clusters across the UK. This includes programmes to build on local innovation strengths, such as Innovate UK’s £80 million investment in 11 Innovation Launchpads, co-designed with local leaders, to support clusters across the UK to grow. Innovate UK’s regional managers also support clusters by working closely with local leadership bodies to identify their strengths, build connections between national and local businesses, and provide guidance on bids for innovation support.