Department for Science, Information and Technology: Abolition

Debate between Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent and Lord Vaizey of Didcot

Tuesday 21st July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

I very much want to be able to reassure the noble Lord and can do so. The £9.22 billion that UKRI has for 2026-27 will continue to be distributed across three buckets: basic curiosity-driven research, foundational research, and research targeted to addressing strategic government and societal priorities, working to support the growth of innovative companies. That will remain the case.

[Lord Vaizey of Didcot (Con)]

My Lords, I am delighted that Kanishka Narayan, who is a great Minister, has gone into the Cabinet but it is obvious that the abolition of DSIT is a phenomenal waste of time. It will take three months of civil servants’ time when they should be focused on policies. The Government Digital Service should obviously be in the Cabinet Office, by the way. Can the Minister tell us where Sovereign AI will sit? I also gather that only £100 million of the £500 million announced has been allocated, so can she guarantee that the other £400 million will be allocated over the next two years?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

My Lords, the sovereign AI fund will sit in DBIST. As the noble Lord is very aware, we announced the £500 million fund on 16 April. I have nothing to suggest that we will not be spending every penny of it.