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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how UK Research and Innovation will be accountable to (a) Parliament, (b) universities, (c) industry and (d) the research councils.

The Higher Education and Research Bill and White Paper set out the high level framework for the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) governance and accountability system.

Subject to the will of Parliament, UKRI will incorporate the Research Councils and it is our policy intent for the Executive Chairs of these Councils – along with the CEO, CFO and other senior directors of UKRI – to sit together on an Executive Committee, which will facilitate engagement with the UKRI Board and cross-council working.

UKRI will be a Non-Departmental Public Body of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and will be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny as per good practice for such bodies and current practice with the Research Councils. The UKRI CEO will be accounting officer for the organisation and will be accountable for ensuring that UKRI operates within HM Treasury and Cabinet Office guidance. UKRI and its constituent Councils will draw on expertise from the business and research communities in identifying strategic opportunities, identifying opportunities for impact, partnership and alignment of activity.