RESEARCH
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what his policy is on the creation of new research institutions; and if he will make a statement. [188498]
Mr Willetts, Minister of State for Universities and Science [holding answer 24 February 2014]: The Government supports a dynamic research environment in the UK, including the creation, where appropriate, of new research institutions. Funding provided through the £300 million UK Research Partnership Investment Fund has supported the establishment of new research institutes, including the ‘National Structural Integrity Research Centre’ at Granta Park and the ‘Energy Safety Research Institute’ at Swansea University, as well other major strategic research partnerships between universities and business and charities. The establishment of a new Postgraduate Institute is part of BIS' ambition for strengthening the role of the National Physical Laboratory through its links with academic partners. In addition, BIS has provided strategic support towards the establishment of new research centres and institutes, and campus developments, where these have been prioritised by the Research Councils and address critical areas of new challenges or build on existing areas of strength for the UK, such as the ‘Higgs Institute for Innovation’ at Edinburgh University.
Following the announcement last year of a long-term science capital budget to 2020-21, the Government will shortly publish a science capital consultation. This will inform the content of a Science Capital Roadmap, which is central to the Science and Innovation Strategy to be launched at autumn statement 2014.