More than half of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund went to London, the East and the Southeast of England, according to this National Audit Office report. Unsurprising, given overall concentration of R&D funding in the UK. Good that this is an aspect now being highlighted. https://twitter.com/NAOorguk/status/1357596094260277248

Some interesting twists to this, though. In contrast to government R&D funding more widely, the West Midlands also does well. Undoubtedly reflects strong private sector R&D base in that region, good to see that capacity being used.

But distribution of Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund still doesn't completely reflect location of industrial R&D. Interestingly, Wales has done well relative to its small industry R&D base. On this measure the North, East Midlands, the Southwest, and Northern Ireland do badly.