Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation

Not to be confused with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Innovation.

United Kingdom Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation
File:Coat of arms of the United Kingdom (2022, lesser arms).svg Royal Arms of His Majesty's Government
File:Patrick Vallance Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 - headshot crop.jpg Incumbent Lord Vallance of Balham since 5 July 2024
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Appointer	The Monarch on advice of the Prime Minister
Formation	1998
First holder	David Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury of Turville
Website	www.gov.uk/government/ministers/minister-of-state-for-science-research-and-innovation

The minister of state for science, research and innovation (also known as the science minister) is a mid-level position in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in the British government. It was re-created by the Second Johnson ministry out of the minister of state for universities. From 2016 to 2023, the minister was based at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Responsibilities

The minister has responsibility of the following policy areas:

• Domestic science and research ecosystem, including Public Sector Research Establishments (PSREs)
• International science and research, including space science
• Horizon Europe
• Research and development
• Life sciences
• Quantum, engineering biology and semiconductors
• Advanced Research and Invention Agency
• Government Office for Technology Transfer
• UK Research and Innovation
• Tech and innovation across the missions
• Regulatory Innovation Office

List of ministers

Name		Portrait	Took office	Left office	Political party	Prime Minister
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science and Innovation Role formed out of Minister of State for Trade and Industry
	David Sainsbury, Baron Sainsbury of Turville	File:Lord Sainsbury launching his new book 'Progressive Capitalism' at Policy Exchange.jpg	27 July 1998	10 November 2006	Labour	Tony Blair
Minister of State for Science and Innovation
	Malcolm Wicks MP for Croydon North	File:Malcolm Wicks MP.jpg	10 November 2006	28 June 2007	Labour	Tony Blair
	Ian Pearson MP for Dudley South	File:Ian Pearson (3x4 crop).jpg	28 June 2007	5 October 2008	Labour	Gordon Brown
	Paul Drayson, Baron Drayson	File:Paul Rudd Drayson 02.jpg	3 October 2008	11 May 2010	Labour	Gordon Brown
Role merged into Minister of State for Universities and Science
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Research and Innovation Role formed out of Minister of State for Universities, Science and Research and Innovation
	Amanda Solloway MP for Derby North	File:Official portrait of Amanda Solloway MP crop 2.jpg	14 February 2020	17 September 2021	Conservative	Boris Johnson
	George Freeman MP for Mid Norfolk	File:Official portrait of George Freeman MP crop 2.jpg	17 September 2021	7 July 2022	Conservative	Boris Johnson
Minister of State for Science and Investment Security
	Nus Ghani MP for Wealden	File:NusratGhaniMP.jpg	7 September 2022	26 October 2022	Conservative	Liz Truss
Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation (since 7 February 2023 in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
	George Freeman MP for Mid Norfolk	File:Official portrait of George Freeman MP crop 2.jpg	26 October 2022	13 November 2023	Conservative	Rishi Sunak
	Andrew Griffith MP for Arundel and South Downs	File:Official portrait of Andrew Griffith MP crop 2.jpg	13 November 2023	5 July 2024	Conservative
	Patrick Vallance Baron Vallance of Balham	File:Patrick Vallance Official Cabinet Portrait, July 2024 - headshot crop.jpg	5 July 2024	Incumbent	Labour	Keir Starmer

See also

• Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
• Ministry of Science