Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Mary Kelly Foy (Labour). It was answered by George Freeman (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 May 2023 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Commercialisation of Research: North-east England

Question: What steps she is taking to support the commercialisation of science and technology research in the North East.

Answer: Having worked on coalfield regeneration in the north-east, I am delighted to report that it is becoming a science and technology powerhouse economy in the UK. I have been up three times since taking on this role, particularly to see NETPark, the extraordinary north-east technology park, whose third phase of expansion has now been announced. We put £5 million into helping it grow, and world-class companies such as Kromek are now there. We have also put £5 million into the Northern Accelerator in collaboration with six north-east universities, and we have nine Catapult hubs in the north-east. Let us say it loud and clear: the north-east is building the new economy of tomorrow.

Secondary information