Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to establish a national coordination hub to support schools and local groups to engage in citizen science.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham
The Government recognises the value of citizen science in engaging communities and supporting research. While there are currently no plans to establish a single national coordination hub for citizen science for schools, groups and individuals, Government departments and delivery bodies support a range of programmes that bring together schools, groups and individuals. These include UK Research and Innovation funding for citizen science projects, and work by partner organisations to provide guidance, networks and resources to support participation and collaboration across the UK.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish the letter sent by Lord Vallance of Balham to the Home Secretary following his meeting with the CEO of MBR Acres on 17 September 2025.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will not be publishing this letter. Releasing internal correspondence at this stage would prematurely expose discussions that relate to the ongoing development of the government’s position on a sensitive policy area. The issues involve complex regulatory, scientific, and public safety considerations, and ministerial discussions include exploratory thinking, provisional advice, and options that have not yet been finalised.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the National Security Online Information Team’s work on freedom of expression.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch
NSOIT’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression is embedded in its compliance policies and practices. For example, NSOIT has a blanket ban on referring content from journalists and politicians to social media platforms. Its privacy notices are publicly available on gov.uk.