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 through the Industrial Strategy's research and development missions to expand innovation capacity in regional manufacturing hubs.

This government is delivering the Industrial Strategy by directing billions of pounds into high-growth, strategic sectors, such as advanced manufacturing - bridging the gap between university research and commercial scaling.

The Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan launched by the Department of Business and Trade last year planned R&D investment of up to £2.8 billion for innovation, over 5-years. UKRI will invest £1.34 billion over this Spending Review period through their advanced manufacturing programme.

Through the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, we are investing £500m across 17 regions across the UK to grow their high-potential innovation clusters. This includes supporting advanced manufacturing capabilities in places like the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Oxford, Cambridge, and the East Midlands.

Additionally, the government's Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund (LSIMF) – launched in October 2024 and consisting of up to £520m – is providing grant support to medicines and medical devices manufacturing projects across the country, incentivising investment and creating high-quality jobs. Of the 8 projects supported by LSIMF to date, 6 are outside London and the South East.