Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Government not having a Minister for Science, Research and Innovation in post since July 2022.

My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has been, and continues to be, the primary decision maker and minister responsible for science research and innovation policy. These policies remain a priority for this Government and BEIS have continued to make progress on science matters since July.

We are providing the fastest ever sustained uplift in R&D funding with government investment in R&D reaching £20 billion per annum by 2024-2025.

The appointment of Ministers is a matter for my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister.