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

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to assess the economic effect of each of the policy options being considered as part of the UK Research and Innovation review into open access policy.

On the subjects of economic impact, international collaborations and effects on researchers I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central on 14th February 2019 to Question 219418 and on 19th February 2019 to Question 219422.

UKRI are continuing to conduct evidence gathering, analysis and stakeholder engagement as part of their Open Access Review, including with researchers and publishers, and will set out a policy position for consultation in due course. UKRI’s mission is to work in partnership with universities, research organisations, businesses, charities and Government to create the best environment for research and innovation to flourish and to create social and economic impact. The Open Access Review will continue under these principles, and the issues raised by the hon. Member are all being considered by UKRI as part of the ongoing process.

The Department is working closely with UKRI on Open Access and will continue to do so after the announcement of the outcomes of the review which is expected in Spring 2020.