"Q On the topic of R&D, do you think there is any merit in involving the devolved Parliaments at the decision-making stage, in terms of a strategic overview of the effective use of resources?
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser: UKRI is deeply engaged with the devolved Administrations on R&D investment. …..." Patricia Gibson - View Speech
"Q Thank you and welcome, Professor Spowage. The Public Accounts Committee has expressed concerns that the allocation of levelling-up funds could be at risk of being mired in the same kind of controversy and difficulties as the towns fund. Nobody wants to see that happen. What measures do you …..." Patricia Gibson - View Speech
"Q What might the impact be on the entire levelling-up agenda? The Government have not used indices of multiple deprivation to assess need when distributing levelling-up funding.
Mairi Spowage: It is a really good question. There has been a challenge around indices of multiple deprivation for many years. In …..." Patricia Gibson - View Speech
"Q To pursue that point, we know that the UK Government want the devolved Parliaments to be involved at the implementation stage rather than decision-making stage, as happened with the EU funding. What do you think the impact of not involving the devolved Parliaments at the decision-making stage is …..." Patricia Gibson - View Speech
"Q Do you think it would be helpful or desirable for an independent body to oversee and assess the UK Government’s progress on levelling up?
Mairi Spowage: Through the Bill, my understanding is that the UK Government have to publish regular updates on the progress that they are making …..." Patricia Gibson - View Speech
"Q I noted your comments, Mr Bell, about the importance of team spirit in levelling up communities. Do you have any thoughts or comments about the fact that the Scottish Government will not be involved at the decision-making stage in the allocation of levelling-up funding? That suggests that there …..." Patricia Gibson - View Speech
"Q The Institute of Economic Affairs has described the missions in the Bill as being of “dubious quality”. Do you have any concerns about whether there are sufficient or robust ways of objectively measuring the progress and impact of levelling up, given that many say that there appears to …..." Patricia Gibson - View Speech
Professor Atherton: Yes. I agree, particularly on the issue of independence and scrutiny. Transparency is important as well, if we are going to construct what is most desirable, which is some form of independent scrutiny. If you look at the Bill, …..." Patricia Gibson - View Speech
"I wish I could say that I was optimistic about the impact of the Bill, but the fact is that this flagship Government agenda will not deliver what it purportedly sets out to do; it is mere smoke and mirrors. We have moved on from the vague so-called missions in …..." Patricia Gibson - View Speech