Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade

Government has no plans to introduce a moratorium on data centres and battery storage systems. Data centres and battery energy storage systems, whether located inside or outside AI Growth Zones, are subject to established planning and regulatory requirements. Decision-makers must consider relevant impacts, including those on the environment, heritage, landscapes, ecology, agricultural land and local communities. Planning applications are generally determined by local planning authorities, while particularly large data infrastructure projects may enter the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime. These arrangements allow proposals to be assessed on their individual merits and development consent to be refused where significant adverse impacts cannot be appropriately managed or mitigated.

Innovate UK launched a £5m Engineering Biology Access to Infrastructure Pilot competition on September 7 as part of the £184m Engineering Biology Scale-up Infrastructure programme. This competition enables SMEs affordable access to specialised UK engineering biology scale-up facilities in the public and private sectors, such as catapults, bio-foundries and CMOs. BIST and UKRI are working closely together on the scope and design of the scale-up infrastructure fund to ensure that the necessary facilities are available to support SMEs to demonstrate the technical and economic commercial viability of their technology. This fund and further phases of the access fund will be launched in due course.

Progress in delivering the objectives of the strategy will be measured against a set of KPIs developed in consultation with delivery partners. A KPI framework covering the strategy's commitments will be published later this year.

While a unified reporting format that captures investments made through all relevant government departments and regulatory bodies is not yet available, individual delivery partners are developing and refining their reporting methodologies.

The Government recognises that accreditation and homologation processes in the automotive, aerospace and defence sectors can take time, making the continuity of specialist steel capability important to customers and national resilience. We are working towards the public acquisition of Speciality Steel UK to preserve strategic control and enable all credible options for its future to be assessed. No final decisions have yet been taken. Options will be considered thoroughly, including on their economic and industrial benefits, contribution to regional growth and national resilience, and value for money.

A strong British steel sector is fundamental to delivering the Industrial Strategy, strengthening national and economic security, and supporting growth in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defence, infrastructure and digital technologies. Through the Steel Strategy, backed by up to £2.5 billion, the Government is working to rebuild the sector, attract investment, increase demand for UK-made steel and support clean, modern production. It is a major employer in one of the UK’s most deprived areas, and it occupies a unique place in our steel ecosystem. Working towards public acquisition will preserve strategic control and enable the Government to assess all credible future opportunities, including how SSUK’s specialist capabilities can support growth, skilled employment and resilient domestic supply chains.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade recognises the importance of timely and accurate responses to correspondence.

The Cabinet Office sets a maximum target deadline of 20 working days for departments and agencies to respond to correspondence, and it is the responsibility of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade to ensure we have the resources and processes in place to respond to correspondence within this deadline.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade works collaboratively with the Cabinet Office and other Government departments to review and update correspondence policy and processes as required.

The Department does not specifically record performance on average response times for responding to members raising constituency casework, but in 2026 has responded to 81% of correspondence from the public within 15 working days (as of 20th September).

The Department aims to respond to correspondence within 20 working days, as per the target set by the Cabinet Office. The Department has taken a number of steps to reduce response times for correspondence, including bringing extra resources into the correspondence team and improving internal processes.

The Government engages regularly with AI companies on both the opportunities and the risks presented by rapid advances in AI. Examples include: the AI Security Institute’s work with top AI developers to identify vulnerabilities in their models; the AI Economics Institute, which acts as a focal point for engagement with business and academia to strengthen the evidence base on AI's effects on productivity, labour markets and growth; and the AI Energy Council which convenes AI, data centre, and energy companies alongside regulators, with its membership and minutes published on GOV.UK.

The Government engages regularly with a wide range of experts on both the opportunities and the risks presented by rapid advances in AI, including academics, civil society and independent researchers. Examples include: expert input to the Government Office for Science's AI Scenarios 2030, developed with experts from across government, academia and industry; the International AI Safety Report, which brings together over 100 independent experts and is chaired by Professor Yoshua Bengio, for which the AI Security Institute provides the secretariat; and the AI Energy Council, whose membership and minutes are published on GOV.UK.

AI is developing rapidly and has the potential to transform our economy and public services. It is already helping scientists discover new treatments for disease and make our energy networks cleaner.

But as its capabilities advance, it is right that safeguards keep pace.

Through the AI Security Institute, the Government is leading global efforts to test and understand the most advanced AI systems, while helping to develop the standards and safeguards needed to keep people, businesses and critical infrastructure secure.

The Government and regulators continue to seek to maintain the confidence of investors and other stakeholders in UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice standards and UK-adopted International Accounting Standards. The Government recognises the importance of comparability, consistency and reliability in UK accounting standards. Prudence is a key element in understanding what is reliable information.

On 7 September 2026, the ‘Modernising Corporate Reporting to support long term Economic Growth’ consultation was published. The Government welcomes responses on this and other issues with regard to the consultation’s financial reporting proposals, which focus on reports and accounts providing decision-useful information for investors and creditors.

BSIT continues to engage with the sector and other government departments to better understand water use in data centres, supporting the adoption of efficient cooling technologies (closed-loop systems) and alternative sources like rainwater harvesting.

The planning system requires environmental impacts, including water consumption, to be properly assessed and considered before decisions are made. For developments progressing through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime, applicants must assess impacts on water resources as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment and supporting documentation. AI Growth Zone applicants are also required to provide details of their anticipated water requirements and evidence from the relevant water supplier on the availability of supply. The Government keeps planning and environmental requirements under review to ensure data centre growth remains sustainable.

BSIT continues to engage with the sector and other government departments to better understand water use in data centres, supporting the adoption of efficient cooling technologies (closed-loop systems) and alternative sources like rainwater harvesting.

The planning system requires environmental impacts, including water consumption, to be properly assessed and considered before decisions are made. For developments progressing through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects regime, applicants must assess impacts on water resources as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment and supporting documentation. AI Growth Zone applicants are also required to provide details of their anticipated water requirements and evidence from the relevant water supplier on the availability of supply. The Government keeps planning and environmental requirements under review to ensure data centre growth remains sustainable.

Government is committed to responsible innovation in engineering biology. Government keeps novel engineering biology capabilities under review including seeking expert advice through the Responsible Innovation Advisory Panel.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the main funder of public research and innovation. It has not funded research directly intending to develop mirror life.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan dashboard was published on 29 January 2026 alongside the progress report AI Opportunities Action Plan: One Year On. It provides a detailed, action-by-action view of delivery against all 50 recommendations, showing that the Government met its commitments on 38 of them within the first year. The remaining 12 actions are long-term and complex commitments which are firmly in delivery. This forms part of the government’s ongoing programme of work to harness the opportunities from AI, whilst carefully managing the risks.

Research England (RE) has not undertaken a specific assessment of the effect on quality-related (QR) research funding of any subsequent retraction of, or finding of research misconduct relating to, outputs submitted to the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021).

QR allocations from 2022-23 onwards are based on the outcomes of REF2021, which assessed the quality of the research carried out in UK universities.

Responsibility for investigating research misconduct rests primarily with the research organisations concerned, which are expected to maintain appropriate arrangements for ensuring research integrity.

We are supporting the development, validation and international acceptance of alternative methods, including through the forthcoming UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (UKCVAM), engagement with international regulators and participation in OECD test guideline programmes. We are also strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships to support the global uptake of validated alternatives, helping to reduce reliance on animal testing while maintaining high standards of human, animal and environmental safety.

The Government is supporting businesses to adopt AI in ways that boost productivity and create opportunities for workers.

In June, we launched the Pro-Worker AI Adoption Prize, recognising organisations that use AI to raise productivity, equip workers with new capabilities and create jobs. Through AI Skills Boost, we are providing free AI training and will help 10 million workers gain essential AI skills by 2030. The Early Careers Jobs Alliance will support continued access to high-quality opportunities for young people.

We are also strengthening evidence on AI’s labour market impacts through the AI Economics Institute, monitoring effects on jobs and skills.

Acas do not collect data in a way that enables us to determine the average percentage attendance rate for our estate. 162 staff are assigned to the Manchester office at 3 Piccadilly Place. During the period 7 to 11 September 2026 Acas recorded 96 attendance instances, but we cannot verify how many individuals that equates to. The current Acas office attendance expectation is that employees attend an Acas office, or undertake qualifying off-site work e.g. delivering off site training, for an average of 20% of their working time, subject to any agreed workplace adjustments or flexible working arrangements.

ProQure is our flagship programme to identify, grow and deploy world leading quantum computing capabilities to drive economic growth and social impact in the UK. Following the Contracts for Innovation framework, Innovate UK have designed and conducted the application process for phase 1 of the ProQure programme. The competition criteria were outlined in the competition brief, inviting applicants to submit proposals to deploy operational testbeds for quantum computers. The assessment process followed a standard IUK process, ensuring applications were assessed consistently, objectively and transparently.

We want to ensure the most promising quantum companies are motivated to start, grow and scale here in the UK. We have committed over £1bn to deliver an integrated support offer for scale ups that brings together R&D, skills and procurement to anchor manufacturing and R&D activity right here in the UK. We are also joining up with Public Finance institutions to promote UK quantum companies, with the BBB investing £40m in Quantum Motion and £100m in Oxford Quantum Circuits in Series C rounds earlier this year.

This Government would not issue or maintain an export licence where there is a clear risk the goods might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of Internal Humanitarian Law (IHL), including with respect to the treatment of detainees. Additionally, in light of the unlawful occupation, we will now refuse all licence applications to Israel for exports that materially contribute to the occupation.

We have also reviewed all extant licences for exports to Israel on the same basis. All licences are maintained under careful and continual review, and we can and will suspend or revoke licences where we assess them to be no longer compliant.

HMRC publish information on enforcement activity through the Annual Outputs for tackling tobacco smuggling publication. The 25/26 publication shows Trading Standards seized over 35 million illicit cigarettes and more than 8,000kg of illicit hand-rolling tobacco in 2025/26, preventing revenue losses of over £25m. HMRC intend to continue publishing this information annually and previous publications also contain information on Trading Standards activity.

Through the Employment Rights Act 2025, the government is strengthening the flexible working framework. We are introducing a new requirement that employers must only reject requests where it is reasonable to do so and we will set out a statutory process employers must follow before rejecting a request. Together, these measures will encourage more meaningful discussions about whether flexibility can be accommodated. This will benefit women, particularly mothers, by giving them the chance to balance work alongside their family life and personal circumstances. The government intends to bring these measures into effect in Autumn 2027.

The government is committed to ensuring the ethical, safe and responsible adoption of AI to improve public service outcomes and boost public sector productivity. Seizing this opportunity requires strengthening public trust.

That is why we are implementing a mandatory rollout of the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard across government departments and arm’s length bodies.

Alongside this, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade is taking steps to strengthen the UK’s AI assurance ecosystem, as set out in the Trusted Third-Party AI Assurance Roadmap.

The Government is closely monitoring the impact of disruption in the Middle East to key shipping routes. This includes regularly assessing the impact on UK supply chains, disruption to trade, including any rerouting of container ships, and of increases in prices of critical goods, shipping and energy. In doing so, we are actively drawing input from businesses on supply chain pressures and their own contingency planning. We also continue to work with businesses and our international partners to protect trade and investment across the Gulf region.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 28 August 2026 to Question UIN 20034 Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Official data on business vulnerability is not published by the Department.

Growth is this government’s number one mission and our plan is to make the UK the best place to start and grow a business, with a culture that supports entrepreneurship in every community and high street. The Small Business Plan was launched in July 2025 and contains 200 targeted actions which will make a real difference to the operations of small businesses and help them grow. With a £4bn finance boost to increase access to finance for entrepreneurs, the British Business Bank promotes the provision of better access-to-finance information for UK SMEs. The Growth Guarantee Scheme helps businesses access loans up to £2 million per business group to be used for any business purpose, including growth and investment or working capital.

On 14th July 2026, the Chancellor announced access-to-finance measures through supporting:

• SMEs through the Growth Guarantee Scheme (GGS)
• Communities through Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs)
• Building societies to lend more
• SMEs looking to export
• Lending to high-tech scale ups

The occupancy rate of the Old Admiralty Building based on the proportion of the assigned workforce attending the building is 21.6% (April 2026 – July 2026).

Working days at other non-home locations including other government offices, visiting businesses and attending meetings are not included. In July, 67% of Department for Business and Trade staff worked at least 40% of their time from an office or other work-related location.

Note that staff assigned to the Old Admiralty Building have the option of working from Caxton House, London. Accurate daily usage figures for Caxton House are not available and are excluded.

Our Plan to Make Work Pay is supporting good jobs and helping responsible businesses grow. We are phasing in reforms and rolling out an online resource offering practical guidance on what the changes mean so that uncertainty doesn’t hold back hiring.

Our analysis demonstrates that, by making work more attractive and accessible to a wider range of people, the Employment Rights Act is more likely to help more people into work than reduce employment.

Through the Business Growth Service and Business Academy, small businesses can access government-backed advice and free training resources to help them develop their workforce and grow.

The Government recognises that the current parental leave and pay system could do more to support dads and partners who want to be more actively involved in supporting their partner and children.

We have already taken steps to make this easier. Through the Employment Rights Act, dads and partners are now eligible for Paternity Leave and Unpaid Parental Leave from their first day of employment.

We are also undertaking a Review of the Parental Leave and Pay system. All existing parental leave and pay entitlements are within scope, including paternity leave and pay. The Review will conclude in early 2027.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to UIN HL2203 on 29 July 2026.

The Government continues to engage closely with the UK and European automotive industry to understand the potential impacts of the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act and to make the case for an outcome that supports our shared automotive sector. The current proposal is still subject to changes whilst the file goes through the EU’s legislative process. We are also working with industry and EU counterparts to find potential solutions ahead of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement Electric Vehicle Rules of Origin rule change on 1 January 2027. Now is the time to work together as like-minded partners to boost Europe’s growth, resilience and economic security.

Maintaining frictionless trade and a close, mutually beneficial relationship with the EU for the automotive sector and its wider supply chains is a top priority for this Government. This includes securing a workable outcome on Trade and Cooperation Agreement Electric Vehicle Rules of Origin and making the case for UK inclusion in the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act. We continue to engage with the European Commission, EU Member States, MEPs and industry on these issues to secure an outcome that supports our closely integrated supply chain with the EU. This result will ultimately benefit businesses on both sides of the Channel.

AI assurance helps to build justified trust and confidence in AI systems, support responsible AI adoption, and drive economic growth.

That is why the Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade is taking action to implement the Government’s AI assurance strategy, as set out in the Roadmap to Trusted Third-Party AI Assurance (2025). This includes establishing the Centre for AI Measurement, led by the National Physical Laboratory to develop the technical and scientific foundations of AI assurance and deliver the AI Assurance Innovation Fund. We are also convening a multi-stakeholder consortium, led by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, to support the development of a recognised AI assurance profession.

The Government is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of the UK's data centre sector reflecting their critical importance to the economy, public services and national security. A limited number of strategically important data centres may be supported through the Connections Accelerator Service (CAS) subject to the CAS Project Selection Process. The selection process includes due diligence from DBIST and an evaluation of the project alignment to government priorities including economic growth, jobs and net zero objectives. CAS provides enhanced engagement with network companies to identify opportunities to accelerate connections where possible, but it does not guarantee an earlier connection date.

The Government recognises that greater transparency about how AI developers train their models can support licensing, enforcement and creator control.

Our March report on AI and copyright committed to further work on input transparency. Since then, we have engaged extensively and continue to do so to understand what information is needed, what can feasibly be provided, and discuss best practice.

This will help establish what works and whether there is an appropriate role for government.

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade does not hold data on the total number of barbers or the qualifications they hold and therefore cannot determine the proportion holding recognised vocational qualifications, including NVQ Levels 2 and 3. However, published data by the Department for Education for England shows that there were 406 starts on the Barbering Professional apprenticeship in academic year 2023/24, 326 in 2024/25 and 196 so far in 2025/26 (from August 2025 to April 2026).

The government has considered the relationship between ticket fraud and activity in the secondary ticketing market as part of its work on secondary ticketing reform on which the government made a clear manifesto commitment to strengthen protection for fans.

The government takes all forms of fraud seriously and is committed to working with law enforcement, industry and regulators to prevent fraud, pursue offenders and protect victims. We will continue to work with law enforcement and industry to raise awareness of how fans can protect themselves. Incidents of fraud should be reported to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or through its website at: www.reportfraud.police.uk.

The Department holds a readout for the roundtable. The full list of attending companies has been published as part of the Department’s transparency returns on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/csv-preview/68640020354985706f111bd4/ministers_january_march_2025_meetings.csv

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade has not made a specific assessment of the impact of entry requirements in the barbering industry on apprenticeship uptake or professional training. The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for adult skills and apprenticeship policy, while the Department for Education retains responsibility for under-19 skills and further education provider accountability. The Government continues to support professional training through the Level 2 Barbering Professional apprenticeship.

I refer the member for Warrington North to the answer I gave to UIN 26653 on 10^th September 2026.

The Government recognises the important role that small high street retailers play in supporting local economies and communities, including in Royal Sutton Coldfield.

We have introduced permanently lower business rates multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties, benefiting more than 750,000 premises.

Small businesses can access support through the Business Growth Service, Growth Hubs, the British Business Bank's Business Finance Hub, the Growth Guarantee Scheme, the Business Support Service and the Business Finance Finder.

More broadly, the Government remains committed to rejuvenating high streets and will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to support businesses, local growth and thriving town centres.

The Government has concluded that Israel's ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful. We have already suspended licences for equipment that might be used by the IDF in Gaza. This suspension remains in place. Additionally, we will now refuse all applications for exports that materially contribute to the occupation.

We have also reviewed all extant licences for exports to Israel on the same basis. All licences are maintained under careful and continual review, and we can and will suspend or revoke any that we assess materially contribute to the occupation.