Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on funding for (a) University Centre Shrewsbury and (b) other new universities.

Ministershave discussed projects that Local Enterprise Partnerships have submitted for the £1 billion expansion of Growth Deals announced at Autumn Statement, including the proposal for the Marches LEP for the University Centre Shrewsbury.

I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with my hon. Friend and the Leader of Shropshire Council, when I visited Harper Adams University, Shropshire, earlier this month.