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Innovation: Fylde

Asked by Mr Andrew SnowdenConservativeDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 14 July 2025UIN 65179

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has plans to expand regional tech clusters in the North West of England; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of locating new innovation hubs in Fylde constituency.

Answered by Feryal Clark

My department is committed to enabling innovation-led growth throughout the UK.

UKRI invested £903 million in the North West in 2023-24. Funded activity in the region includes the £4.9 million, Lancaster University-led Cyber Focus project, and a project by Lytham-based Helical Technology to improve fault detection on mechanical assembly production lines.

Our new Local Innovation Partnership Fund will grow high potential clusters across the UK. It earmarks at least £30 million for each of the two Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities in the North West. All other places in the region will be eligible to bid into the competition.

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