Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps Innovate UK is taking to provide opportunities to people from under-represented groups (a) within its own organisation, (b) that receive its grant funding and (c) that participate in its programmes.

Innovate UK is taking steps to provide opportunities for people from under-represented groups. These are in line with the UKRI Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy published on 17 March 2023 and the UKRI Workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy published on 17 January 2023. Actions include introducing an updated an updated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) data survey, which is being used to identify under-represented groups, investigate the reasons for this and take appropriate and effective steps to improve representation. In 2023, Innovate UK is also building on the legacy and success of its existing targeted programmes: Women in Innovation and Young Innovators. They are launching a new and ambitious programme called Diverse Innovators: Begin and Build.