To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the work of regional development agencies in the development of science cities. (135908)

I have been asked to reply.

Six science cities make up the Science Cities Consortium Development Group. RDAs are partners with local authorities, universities, and business in the development of science cities in their regions. The consortium in each individual science city has taken forward its development according to the individual opportunities and challenges faced in each location.

It is too early to assess the impact of science cities. There has not, therefore, yet been any formal assessment of the effectiveness of the RDAs’ work in this area. In any event, an assessment of the work of RDAs in particular would not tell the whole story, as RDAs are only one of the partnership organisations involved in the development of science cities.