Written question asked by Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 24 January 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 26 January 2023. It was answered by Dehenna Davison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 1 February 2023 on behalf of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Universities: East of England

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to the Levelling Up in the East of England report published by the East of England APPG and the East of England Local Government Association on 13 December 2022, if he will make it his policy to expand University Enterprise Zones to other Universities in the East of England region in addition to those which are already in place.

Answer: A full programme evaluation is ongoing for the University Enterprise Zones. The Government will consider how lessons learned from this programme will inform future investment to support local growth and innovation. The Chancellor announced that Investment Zones will be refocused to catalyse a limited number of the highest potential knowledge-intensive growth clusters. Research institutions and Universities will be crucial to this new approach, the Government will work with them, and other partners, to consider how best to support clusters as part of the refocused programme. The APPG’s report was discussed at the Westminster Hall debate on 31 January.

Secondary information