Committee to question Science Minister, Sir Patrick Vallance
7 February 2025
The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will question the Minister for Science, Lord Vallance, in a wide-ranging session on his responsibilities in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and his aims for this parliament.
The cross-party committee will likely ask the Minister about his assessment of his first seven months in post, and how he ensures that science is prioritised within DSIT. There may also be questions about AI regulation, including the government’s view on DeepSeek, and when the department will bring forward its AI Bill.
Members could ask about the link between innovation and the government’s growth mission, ways to encourage science investment outside the southeast, and the cancellation of AstraZeneca’s planned expansion of a vaccine manufacturing facility in Merseyside.
Questions will likely examine how DSIT can support life sciences innovation in the UK, the future of UKRI, and the Advanced Research and Innovation Agency. Members may discuss the newly created Regulatory Innovation Office, the minister’s views on how to attract global science talent to the UK, and R&D tax credit.
Further information
Image: 10 Downing Street/Flickr