Oral Answers to Questions

Vikki Slade Excerpts

Wednesday 17th December 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

As it is her birthday, I call Vikki Slade.

[Vikki Slade (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)]

Thank you, Mr Speaker—what a lovely birthday present.

Last week I met my constituent Kevin, the programme lead for TESTBED Dorset. He told me that although life sciences is one of the key sectors in the modern industrial strategy, none of the seven projects is in the south-west, and there is not a single reference to Dorset. The living science park will create a vast area for academic research based in our landscapes, supported by landowners, universities from Bournemouth, Bristol and Southampton, the National Trust and Natural England, focused on a “one health” approach. Will the Secretary of State meet me and those lead organisations to hear more about the programme and consider it for the future?

[Liz Kendall]

I also wish the hon. Lady a happy birthday. I am happy for either me or Patrick Vallance—the life sciences Minister in the other place—to meet her and her colleagues. Later today, UKRI will set out future funding for the eight areas of our industrial strategy, which it—and I—will want to ensure is spread fairly across the country. I am more than happy to discuss that with her further.