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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with UK Research and Innovation about the timetable for providing support to the BioYorkshire programme; and if he will make a statement.

During my visit to York in March I met with UKRI and local partners to discuss the BioYorkshire initiative.

The York and North Yorkshire proposed devolution deal signed on 1 August commits UKRI to seek opportunities to support the development of the BioYorkshire cluster. The York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership will convene an inaugural meeting of the BioYorkshire Steering Group on 29 November 2022 with representation from UKRI on the Group. UKRI continue to engage with senior stakeholders to increase understanding of the evolving strategy and strengths of the BioYorkshire cluster.