Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what action they are taking to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities; and what plans they have to address emerging threats such as cyber espionage.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is committed to using all of its levers to disrupt cyber threats and to keep the public safe. We do this by investing in our cyber capabilities, working with industry to improve resilience to cyber crime, and by engaging internationally to pursue and expose malicious cyber activity through sanctions and attributions.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCHQ, is our world leading capability and has helped create the Knowledge Base, an innovative tool to understand the relationships between and impact of any disruption to critical systems, regardless of the hazard involved. The National Cyber Force (NCF) conducts cyber operations to disrupt hostile state activities, terrorists and criminals threatening the UK’s national security, from countering terror plots to supporting military operations.

Through the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, this Government will bolster our national defences and critical infrastructure.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the number of cybersecurity professionals in the United Kingdom.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis and the Cyber Security Labour Market Survey, published by DSIT, show the cyber sector is creating more jobs every year, while the annual shortfall of cyber professionals is reducing.

To continue this progress, we deliver the CyberFirst programme that supports 11-25 year-olds across the UK with a range of opportunities, including educational courses, events and competitions, and financial support. DSIT also funds the UK Cyber Team Competition to identify our most talented 18-25 year-olds, who then go on to receive access to advanced training and mentorship to help develop their careers.

Additionally, DSIT funds the UK Cyber Security Council as the professional authority for cyber security. This body sets the standard for the profession, making it easier to recognise excellence and expertise for employers and practitioners alike.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have equal access to digital learning resources and technology.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The department recently launched a public consultation on narrowing the digital divide between schools and colleges, so we can bring together the sector’s expertise to embed effective technology use, harness the opportunities that technology can offer, and ensure all students have access to it.

Through the proposals and investment set out in this consultation, the department wants to set milestones to break down the barriers to opportunity to ensure every child and young person has access to the best possible education. To support this ambition, we are investing another £25 million to upgrade wireless networks in schools this year, on top of £20 million to complete delivery of fibre internet upgrades to 833 schools.

Furthermore, the Child Poverty Taskforce is progressing urgent work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy. The Strategy will tackle overall child poverty, as well as going beyond that to focus on children in the deepest poverty lacking essentials and what is needed to give every child the best start in life.

The department is also working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on their ambitious national plans for digital inclusion. DSIT published their Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps in February 2025. This is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-inclusion-action-plan-first-steps/digital-inclusion-action-plan-first-steps#chapter-6---next-steps.