To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps she is taking to promote the UK Space Agency’s SateLife Competition to young people living in Easington Constituency.

The UK Space Agency’s SatelLife competition is a national competition open to anyone aged between 11-22 who is resident in the UK. The UK Space Agency launched the competition on the 14^th Jan 2020 on their website, and gave interviews on national TV and radio channels (Radio 4, BBC5 live, BBC News Channel) also offering information to all local radio stations across the country (11 took up an interview offer from the UK Space Agency). The competition has also been promoted through multiple social media channels including including in the North East.

The North East has had three previous winners of the SatelLife competition, one every year:

• 2017 – Razzia Gafur, from Newcastle – Imaging in Space, using satellite data to support virtual reality activities.
• 2018 – Jasmine Hurley, Jack Whinnom, Megan Goss, Kieron Robson, and Matthew Jones from Bedlington, Northumberland – Displaced Person Aid. An idea that looks at people who are internally displaced and how satellites can help meet their needs rather than those who are refugees.
• 2019 – Race Spectator – Daniel Currie, from Middlesbrough – This app will allow supporters to track friends and family members competing in running races.

The UK Space Education and Resource Office, ESERO-UK which is co-funded by the European Space Agency, the UK Space Agency and the Science and Technology Facilities Council and provides resources to promote the teaching of STEM topics, has a regular e-mail shot that is sent to almost all schools across the UK – this will include the SatelLife competition.

Should the Honourable Member know of further opportunities to promote the SatelLife competition in Easington, the UK Space Agency, supported by my office, would be pleased to do so.