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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to increase the number of PhD places for mathematical scientists.

PhD funding forms one part of the £300m that will be spent over the next three years on increasing talent in the UK, as aligned to Industrial Strategy priorities.

Additionally over the next 5 years, £50 million has been allocated through the National Productivity Investment Fund for additional PhDs, including 100 PhDs to support research into AI, ensuring Britain is at the forefront of the AI revolution.

Funding for PhD places, including mathematical sciences, is not ring-fenced to specific areas, but is based on the strength of candidates and applications.