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

To ask His Majesty's Government what is their policy towards research grants in the manufacturing industry.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) are the largest public funder of research. UKRI supports businesses, including in the manufacturing sector, to innovate and grow. For example, through the Made Smarter Innovation Challenge which helps manufacturers capitalise on new digital technologies.

The Catapult Network, which receives some funding from BEIS through Innovate UK, supports businesses across multiple sectors in research and innovation. Over half of the £1.2 billion funding provided to the Catapult Network for the current 5-year period ending in March 2023 is allocated to the High Value Manufacturing Catapult which supports industry to develop new manufacturing technologies.