Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the steps being taken to support the long-term sustainability of research funding in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) the United Kingdom.

The Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have regular discussions on a range of issues.

The Government is determined to work with the sector to transition to sustainable research funding models. Universities will also need to take their own steps to ensure they are working as efficiently as possible and, where necessary, make difficult choices.