Ministers to face Committee questioning on support for science in Scotland
The Scottish Affairs Committee will hear from UK and Scottish Government Ministers at an upcoming public evidence session as it continues to examine Scotland’s science sector.
From the UK Government, Science Research and Innovation Minister Andrew Griffith MP and John Lamont MP from the Scotland Office will likely face questions on the steps the UK Government and private sector is taking to support research and development in Scotland.
Meeting details
On a separate panel, Scottish Government Higher and Further Education Minister Graeme Dey MSP will appear alongside Scotland’s Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, with discussion likely on the Scottish Government’s National Innovation Strategy, and how both Governments can cooperate to ensure the best outcome for the science sector.
In evidence to this Committee, MPs have heard concerns about the differences in funding between Scottish and English universities. With Universities Scotland’s calculation that Scotland’s main research grant has seen a 31% cut between 2014 and 2023, whether researchers and institutions in Scotland are adequately funded is likely to come under examination during the session.