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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what discussions he has had with the West Midlands Combined Authority on linking the Clinical Commercial Catalyst to investment in manufacturing capacity and the development of local supply chains.

The government is working closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority and regional partners to support innovation-led growth. Through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, we are investing £50 million in the West Midlands, including £21 million for the Clinical Commercial Catalyst. The Catalyst will develop near-patient biomanufacturing capability and connect clinical trials, health data, manufacturing and scale-up support. Working with the region's advanced manufacturing partners, it will help local firms scale, attract investment and commercialise new health technologies.