Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to her speech at the Creating a Scientific Superpower Conference on 28 June 2023, what steps she is taking to help ensure that (a) one-time gene therapies and (b) other revolutionary emerging technologies are available in the UK.

The Government supports the NHS in R&D of advanced therapy medicinal products, including gene therapies, through the Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre network, hosted by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult. The Catapult, head-quartered in Stevenage, is at the centre of the third largest cluster of cell and gene therapy companies in the world.

Additionally, the Science and Technology Framework, published in March identifies the critical technologies that are crucial to the UK. It also details the steps required to build upon our world class research base to attract investment, grow UK companies and talent, and innovate successfully and safely.