Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will (a) publish a full impact assessment of budget reductions to the Science and Technology Facilities Council and (b) make an assessment of the potential impact of those reductions on the Industrial Strategy's priority sectors and the defence investment plan.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) undertook a prioritisation exercise to return its portfolio to a sustainable financial position while protecting key scientific capabilities, major facilities and international partnerships.

The exercise was informed by extensive engagement with the research community and expert advisory structures. Decisions were assessed against factors including scientific excellence, long-term impact, strategic importance, international leadership, value for money and the preservation of hard-to-recreate capabilities.

The Department has no plans to publish a separate impact assessment. The prioritisation exercise considered the potential implications of proposed changes across STFC's portfolio, with the objective of maintaining the capabilities and infrastructure most critical to the UK's research base and strategic priorities.

The Government remains committed to supporting growth and national security through research and innovation. UKRI will invest £9 billion across the Industrial Strategy Sectors over the SR period, including £555 million on national security and defence.