Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to paragraph 5.98 of the Spring Budget 2024, HC 560, published on 6 March 2024, by what process the £5 million for an agri-food Launchpad in mid and north Wales will be allocated; and what the criteria for funding will be.

Innovate UK, Ceredigion County Council and the Welsh Government will now work in partnership to lead the design of bespoke competitive rounds of funding for the new Agri-Food Launchpad. This will allow businesses to apply for a share of the funding to undertake projects in the Mid and North Wales agri-food cluster. Further eligibility details will be published when the competition is launched.