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Written question asked by Ben Obese-Jecty (Conservative) on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 September 2025. It was answered by Blair McDougall (Labour) on Friday, 12 September 2025 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.

Oxford-Cambridge Arc

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what steps has he taken to increase support for the Oxford to Cambridge growth corridor.

Answer

The Industrial Strategy is a 10-year plan to back our strengths and realise Britain’s potential, targeting government investment towards eight-growth driving sectors (IS-8). The strategy sets out how we will deepen our support for the Oxford Cambridge Growth Corridor and its IS-8 strengths such as Life Sciences and Digitial and Technologies. This includes:

  • taking forward major infrastructure projects including East-West Rail, a new mainline station at Tempsford, and securing new water reservoirs in the area;
  • locating the UK’s first AI Growth Zone in Culham;
  • increasing the supply of high-quality research facilities, funding the Cambridge Growth Company to invest and work with local partners on infrastructure delivery; and,
  • continued investment in the fifteen Health Innovation Networks across England.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
74175
Session
2024-26
Related items
The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy
Monday, 23 June 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Subjects
Oxford-Cambridge Arc
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk