27 Not Addressed

UKRI's quantum and synthetic biology investments successfully generate numerous spinouts and significant funding.

Conclusion
In correspondence following the session, DSIT stated that UKRI’s investment in Quantum Hubs has generated 17 spinout companies to date, 14 of which are still active. Similarly, DSIT wrote that UKRI has invested over £700m in synthetic biology R&I since 2007, including £115m into the Synthetic Biology for Growth Programme between 2014 and 2022. This programme included £84m towards six Synthetic Biology Research Centres, which supported 49 spinouts and startups, with 40 of these collectively raising over £79 million in additional funding and investment and employing over 250 people.73
Government Response Summary
The government states it agrees with a recommendation and outlines future plans for DSIT and UKRI allocations, identifying where to have the greatest impact on scaling innovation, and considering the financial sustainability of university research. However, this response does not address the conclusion, which merely presented data on spinout companies and investment.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government Not Addressed
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2026 DSIT will publish allocations to UKRI in Autumn 2025, and UKRI’s allocations will be published by Spring 2026. DSIT and UKRI will draw on a variety of data sources to understand where to have the greatest impact on scaling innovation domestically. This involves not only assessing where there is strength in research, but also where there are existing or nascent industry strengths, absorption capacity and identifiable market failures. UKRI has recently launched the first round of the new discipline agnostic Proof-of-Concept funding opportunity. Understanding the full impact will only be possible after the first rounds of projects conclude and are evaluated (evaluation dates not yet confirmed). Early insights will contribute to allocation decisions. Scaling innovation is not a linear pipeline from research to scale-up but instead requires an integrated approach across different actors (both private and public) that provides the right policy environment for innovative firms at every stage of their growth journeys. The government’s Industrial Strategy set out how we plan to achieve this. This includes better engagement and alignment between UKRI, the British Business Bank, the National Wealth Fund and other public finance institutions through the new Strategic Public Investment Forum, plus more effective use of public procurement to buy from innovative suppliers, and removing regulatory barriers to scaling. In deciding the aforementioned allocations, DSIT will consider the impact on the financial sustainability of university research. DSIT uses analyses of Transparent Approach to Costing data, as well as insights and analyses provided by UKRI, to understand the financial challenges universities face within the R&I system.
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 1.0 yr
Report published 23 Jul 2025