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 improve working conditions for people working in research and development.

Since publication of the R&D People & Culture Strategy, the Government has been working with the R&D sector to take action that will improve the culture and conditions of people working in R&D. UKRI has delivered actions as part of the New Deal for Postgraduate Research, including reviewing its Training Grant Terms & Conditions to support individuals’ physical and mental wellbeing and increasing the minimum PhD stipend. UKRI chairs a quarterly sectoral forum, which works to tackle and prevent bullying and harassment by convening the R&D sector to create healthy, welcoming and safe working conditions.