Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department has undertaken a review of the affordability of the patent system for individual inventors.

The Intellectual Property Office keeps the operation of the patent system under regular review, including the costs associated with obtaining and maintaining patents. The UK system is among the lowest cost internationally.

The Intellectual Property Office provides a range of help with navigating the patent system for inventors, entrepreneurs and small businesses. While professional legal advice is recommended and can increase costs, the Intellectual Property Office signposts inventors and businesses to sources of free advice, including the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys' IP Clinics service.