Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to encourage collaboration between the UK and its international partners in the R&D sector.

Achieving the best outcomes for our citizens from our investment in R&D requires us to collaborate internationally. We are actively strengthening ties with key partners through:

- Funding, including through Horizon Europe, the International Science Partnerships Fund and our core support to UK research institutions. DSIT’s overall R&D budget will grow in real terms over the SR period, totalling £58.5 billion from 2026/27 to 2029/30.

- Our Science and Technology Network which operates in 65 locations across the world to build partnerships and collaborations on science, technology and innovation.

- Dialogues and bilateral agreements with more than 20 international partners, including with the US, Australia, India, Germany, EU and Japan which cover issues including data adequacy, future technologies, and institutional co-operation.

- Being an active member of G7, G20, OECD through which we seek to align norms and standards.

- Collaborations with global partners on shared research infrastructures including world-leading facilities like CERN and new capabilities like the Square Kilometre Array Observatory – headquartered near Manchester with telescopes under construction in Australia and South Africa.