Investment: Staffordshire
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to support locally led innovation investment in a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and b) Staffordshire.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan
The Government is committed to ensuring every part of the UK benefits from innovation-led growth. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is supporting c. £36 million of active projects in the combined areas of Shropshire and Staffordshire, helping to drive local growth and high-quality jobs. This includes c. £466,000 for stellar and planetary science at Keele University; c. £284,000 for agricultural innovation at Harper Adams University; and a c. £130,000 grant to Staffordshire University and Currie Young Limited for applying AI and data analytics to assist businesses and individuals experiencing financial problems.
UKRI’s current c. £36 million investment builds on prior investments in the Midlands, including an £18 million investment via the Strength in Places Fund into advanced ceramics.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →