Lord Clement-Jones Portrait

Lord Clement-Jones

Liberal Democrat - Life peer

Became Member: 17th July 1998

Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Science, Innovation and Technology)

(since February 2023)

Electronic Trade Documents Bill [HL] Special Public Bill Committee
12th Dec 2022 - 20th Feb 2023
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Digital)
9th Jun 2017 - 19th Feb 2023
Services Committee
2nd Jul 2020 - 31st Jan 2023
Risk Assessment and Risk Planning Committee
15th Oct 2020 - 24th Nov 2021
Artificial Intelligence Committee
29th Jun 2017 - 13th Mar 2018
Licensing Act 2003 Committee
25th May 2016 - 14th Jun 2016
National Policy for the Built Environment Committee
18th Jun 2015 - 11th Feb 2016
Communications and Digital Committee
22nd Jun 2010 - 30th Mar 2015


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Lord Clement-Jones has voted in 501 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

16 Mar 2022 - Health and Care Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Clement-Jones voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 18 Liberal Democrat No votes vs 33 Liberal Democrat Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 145 Noes - 179
View All Lord Clement-Jones Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
(102 debate interactions)
Viscount Camrose (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
(76 debate interactions)
Baroness Barran (Conservative)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
(42 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
View all Lord Clement-Jones's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lord Clement-Jones, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


5 Bills introduced by Lord Clement-Jones


A Bill to amend the Licensing Act 2003 with respect to the performance of live music entertainment; and for connected purposes

This Bill received Royal Assent on 8th March 2012 and was enacted into law.


A bill to make provision about the categorisation and use of B2 gaming machines; and for connected purposes.

Lords - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading: House Of Lords
Friday 11th March 2016

Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the Bill - took place on 5 July.Committee stage - line by line examination of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled. The 2013-14 session of parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to amend the Environmental Protection Act 1990 with respect to the distribution of printed matter for events which involve small-scale performance of live music and other entertainment, and for connected purposes.

Lords - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading: House Of Lords
Friday 5th July 2013

A Bill to regulate the use of automated decision-making in the public sector; to require a public authority to complete an algorithmic impact assessment in prescribed form where it procures or develops an automated decision-making system; to establish a Minister for standards in algorithm use; and for connected purposes

Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Monday 29th November 2021
(Read Debate)

A bill to prohibit the use of automated facial recognition technology in public places and to provide for a review of its use

Lords - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 4th February 2020
(Read Debate)

Lord Clement-Jones has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
5th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what was the cost of running the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Integrated Data Service in 2023; how many projects were active in the Integrated Data Service in 2023; and what are the equivalent figures for the ONS Secure Research Service for the same period.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Noble Lord’s Question of 5th February is attached.

The Lord Clement-Jones CBE

House of Lords London

SW1A 0AA

13 February 2024

Dear Lord Clement-Jones,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking (1) what was the cost of running the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Integrated Data Service in 2023; (2) how many projects were active in the Integrated Data Service in 2023; and (3, 4) what are the equivalent figures for the ONS Secure Research Service for the same period (HL2184).

  1. The approximate costs of running the nascent Integrated Data Service in 2023 were £4,200,000, including infrastructure costs that permit future scaling of the service.

  1. There were 20 active projects within the Integrated Data Service in 2023.

  1. The cost of running the ONS Secure Research Service in 2023 were £7,000,000.

  1. The Secure Research Service had a total of 842 projects during 2023. On average, there were around 600 live projects at any one time during 2023.

Equivalent operating costs and projects numbers should be interpreted with caution. The Integrated Data Service (IDS) is in development and currently operates within a BETA maturity phase. In September 2023 IDS received Digital Economy Act (2017) accreditation for data provision, making IDS the first cloud-native trusted research environment to be accredited for data provision under the legislation and opening the opportunity to scale.

The IDS is built to be future proofed, to better enable the Government’s data sharing agenda in a more effective and efficient way. The IDS will grow at pace over the remainder of the programme with a pipeline of additional and transformational capability, data, projects and users which exceed the capabilities of the Secure Research Service (SRS). Improved data integration and cross-sector collaboration enabled through cloud technologies will drive significant uptake.

The SRS is a long-standing and mature Trusted Research Environment which has operated in its current form since 2017, having previously operated as the Virtual Microdata Laboratory (VML) from 2004. The SRS grew rapidly upon achieving DEA accreditation in 2019, which enabled greater expansion of its data catalogue and user base. An improved trajectory is anticipated for the IDS with many SRS’s data sets, as well as projects (where applicable) migrating to the IDS as part of a transition that is underway.

Yours sincerely.

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
18th Jan 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 11 December (HL589) where they stated that "before laying the National Procurement Policy Statement in Parliament a Minister of the Crown must carry out such consultation as the Minister considers appropriate", how they intend to consult relevant stakeholders, such as providers of goods and services, prior to laying that statement.

The Cabinet Office will develop and deliver its approach to consultation in line with the requirements in Section 13 of the Procurement Act.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
16th Jan 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will provide a complete list of (1) data sets, and (2) projects which are currently active within the Office for National Statistics Integrated Data Service.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.

The Lord Clement-Jones

House of Lords

London

SW1A 0PW

24 January 2024

Dear Lord Clement-Jones

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking if we will provide a complete list of (1) data sets, and (2) projects which are currently active within the Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) Integrated Data Service (IDS) (HL1623).

The IDS currently has 92 datasets ingested into the service. These datasets are available to accredited analysts and researchers from both the government’s analytical function and the wider research communities.

In terms of analysis taking place within the service, there are currently 15 live analytical projects within the IDS. While this is the number of live projects, there are other analysis proposals at a conceptual or approvals stage that will support policy development.

Future information on analyses and data will be made available in due course to ensure continued transparency of data and analysis within the IDS, in line with other Trusted Research Environments, such as the ONS’s Secure Research Service.

To ensure full transparency, a complete list of data sets and projects are listed in Annex A and Annex B respectively.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

Annex A:

A complete list of datasets which are currently within the Integrated Data Service.

Data Set Name

Valuation Office Agency (VOA)

Pluto Business to Business Matrix

Energy Performance Certificate

Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE)

Standard Industrial Classification/Standard Occupational Classification (SIC/SOC) References

Annual Population Survey

Business Register Employment Survey

ONS Births

ONS Deaths

GP Registration aggregate count

Aggregate Age/Sex counts for mid-year pop stats

Aggregate Age/Sex count for mid-year internal migration

Aggregate Age/Sex counts for UK regular Forces and Gurkhas

Aggregate Age/Sex counts for by prison, age and sex

Personal Demographics Services – Flag 4 National monthly July 2022

Statistical Population Dataset v4.1

Long Term International Passenger Survey (IPS)

Dynamic Population Model (DPM) International Emigration monthly

International Immigration monthly

Integrated Data Asset – Energy Performance Certificates

Integrated Data Asset – Ordnance Survey Private Outside Space

Integrated Data Asset – Land Registry Price Paid

Geographical Look ups

Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) Attribute Data

Population Statistics; Synthetic

Regions (December 2019) England Boundaries Generalised Clipped (BGC)

Census 2021 – MVP

Labour Force Survey UK – People

Labour Force Survey UK – Household

Labour Force Survey UK – Longitudinal

Business Enterprise R&D (BERD)

Business Structure Database (BSD)

Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE)-Census 2011

Update to Births

Update to Deaths

Redelivery of Census 2021 (extra variables)

Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES)

General Practitioner Episodes Statistics (GPES)

Census 2021 linked to Labour Force Survey (LFS)

ONS Mortality

Indices of Depravation

Mid-Year Population Estimates

Small Area Population Estimates

Business Register Employment Survey (BRES Un indexed)

Census 2011 Origin Destination EW

ONS Geography Boundary Products

ONS Geography Products

Aggregated Workplace Zone Geography

Census 2011 Output Tables

Census 2011 Output Tables Long

England Wales Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) Lookup

National Travel Survey Data

Census 2021 Output Tables

Census 2021 Output Tables Long

OpenStreet Map Data

DfT Origin Destination Pairs

Bus Timetable Data

Journey Times to Key Services

Trip End Model Program

International Passenger Survey (IPS)

(Nomis – Claimant accounts

Nomis – Jobseeker allowances

Nomis – Population estimates

Nomis – Annual Business Inquiry

Nomis – Business Register Employment Survey (BRES)

UK Small Area gross value added (GVA) estimates

Police Crime Data

Synthesizing Census Data

Business Enterprise Research and Development - Great Britain

Monthly Business Survey - UK

International Trade in Services - UK

Annual Foreign Direct Investment Survey - UK

Annual Purchases Survey - UK

Quarterly Capital Expenditure Survey - UK

E-commerce Survey - UK

UK Manufacturers’ Sales by Product Survey

COVID-19 Vaccine Opinions Survey - England

Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Economy Survey - UK

Census 1991 Individual - Great Britain

Census 2001 Individual - UK

Effects of Tax and Benefits - UK

Foreign Direct Investment - UK

Mergers & Acquisitions Survey - UK

Public Health Research Database

General Lifestyle Survey – Great Britain

Monthly Business Survey for Construction and Allied Trades GB

Labour Force Survey Longitudinal, Household & Personal - UK

Business Register Employment Survey (BRES – Indexed against Business Index only)

Annual Acquisition and Disposals of Capital Assets Survey - UK

Census 1991 Household - Great Britain

Annual Survey of Goods and Services - UK

Census 2001 Household - UK

Annex B

A complete list of projects which are currently active within the Integrated Data Service.

Project Title

Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) - ONS/HMT levelling up

Testing Bayesian methods for Demographic Accounting

Exploring Census 2021 Data to identify specific industry sectors or economic activity groups that require further analysis

Describing the interaction of climate and health in global official statistics.

Evaluating placed based programmes (DLUHC / ONS project)

Count of usual resident stratified by sex, age, ethnic group and deprivation for various geographies in England

Energy Efficiency of Housing

Exploring the health drivers of economic inactivity

Intermediate Consumption

Producing estimates of school aged children, by Local Authority, and pupil characteristics

Mobility and Geospatial Programme

Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities Subnational Expenditure by Local Authority District

Synthesizing the Census for and in the IDS

Differences between Census 2021 and ONS household surveys in relation to the estimates of Welsh language ability

XGOV Levelling-up analysis

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
27th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the consultation process and timeline for renewal of the National Procurement Policy Statement, and which Department will be responsible for leading this.

The National Security Unit for Procurement, based in the Cabinet Office, will investigate suppliers who may pose a risk to national security and assess whether companies should be barred from public procurements. The Unit was announced as part of stepped up measures to protect national security in government contracts and will be operational in time for commencement of the Procurement Act in autumn 2024, when debarment and exclusion powers come into effect.

The Cabinet Office will also lead on the new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS). Before laying the NPPS in Parliament a Minister of the Crown must carry out such consultation as the Minister considers appropriate and make any necessary changes as a result of it. Further details will be announced in the coming months.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
27th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what the timeline is for implementing the new National Security Unit for Procurement within the Cabinet Office, as set out in the Procurement Act 2023; and who will be responsible for leading it.

The National Security Unit for Procurement, based in the Cabinet Office, will investigate suppliers who may pose a risk to national security and assess whether companies should be barred from public procurements. The Unit was announced as part of stepped up measures to protect national security in government contracts and will be operational in time for commencement of the Procurement Act in autumn 2024, when debarment and exclusion powers come into effect.

The Cabinet Office will also lead on the new National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS). Before laying the NPPS in Parliament a Minister of the Crown must carry out such consultation as the Minister considers appropriate and make any necessary changes as a result of it. Further details will be announced in the coming months.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
12th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government further to the six algorithmic transparency reports published under the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard, how many automated decision-making tools are currently used by public authorities that have not submitted reports under the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard; and what steps they are taking, or intend to take, to increase compliance with that Standard.

The government has made transparency around automated decision-making a priority through the publication of the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS).

The ATRS is a maturing standard which is being progressively promoted and adopted across the public sector. It is still evolving alongside policy thinking and government understanding of the complexities, scope, and risks around its use. Enshrining the Standard into law at this point of maturity might hinder the ability to ensure it remains relevant in a rapidly developing technology field. We remain committed to reevaluating our position on legislative change in the future, once the policy and the Standard have matured further.

While the government currently has no comprehensive view of the full range of automated decision-making tools currently used by public authorities, several steps have been taken to increase compliance with the Standard in the absence of legislation. The ATRS has been endorsed by the government’s Data Standards Authority. Since its publication, it has been piloted with a variety of public sector organisations across the UK and the published records can be openly accessed via GOV.UK. It is currently being rolled out more widely across the public sector with a view to embedding it into internal governance processes and increasing compliance.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
12th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their White Paper A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation, published on 29 March, and following the introduction of the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard, what assessment they have made of the case for statutory transparency obligations for public sector use of automated decision-making.

The government has made transparency around automated decision-making a priority through the publication of the Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS).

The ATRS is a maturing standard which is being progressively promoted and adopted across the public sector. It is still evolving alongside policy thinking and government understanding of the complexities, scope, and risks around its use. Enshrining the Standard into law at this point of maturity might hinder the ability to ensure it remains relevant in a rapidly developing technology field. We remain committed to reevaluating our position on legislative change in the future, once the policy and the Standard have matured further.

While the government currently has no comprehensive view of the full range of automated decision-making tools currently used by public authorities, several steps have been taken to increase compliance with the Standard in the absence of legislation. The ATRS has been endorsed by the government’s Data Standards Authority. Since its publication, it has been piloted with a variety of public sector organisations across the UK and the published records can be openly accessed via GOV.UK. It is currently being rolled out more widely across the public sector with a view to embedding it into internal governance processes and increasing compliance.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
5th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 2 March (HL5901), and the Written Statement by Baroness Neville-Rolfe on 23 May (HLWS788), whether the sharing of identity information in bulk would be lawful under the text of the statutory instrument as consulted on; and whether, and if so where, the published consultation response confirms whether changes have been made to prohibit bulk sharing following the consultation.

The statutory instrument, as consulted on, is an enabling instrument that will make it easier for people to prove who they are when accessing government services online. The draft regulations only allow specified public bodies to share data when an individual chooses to prove their identity online in order to access public services digitally.

As a specified objective under section 35 of the Digital Economy Act 2017 (the Act), the data sharing power would sit within the tightly constrained data sharing framework of the Act. Data sharing must be carried out with regard to the Act’s Code of Practice (the Code), which has been approved by Parliament. Any public body sharing information under Chapters 1, 3 and 4 of Part 5 of the Digital Economy Act 2017 is required to have regard to this Code when doing so.

Under the Code's data sharing principles, public bodies sharing information under the powers are required to minimise the amount of data shared, and ensure this is the minimum required for the purpose of achieving the specified objective, using methods which avoid unnecessarily sharing or copying of large amounts of personal information. Failure to have regard to the Code can result in a public authority or organisation losing the ability to disclose, receive and use information under the powers.

Due to the carefully defined data sharing power set out in the statutory instrument, and the rigorous data protection safeguards in place under the Act and Code, no changes have been made to the draft statutory instrument regarding “bulk sharing”.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
27th Feb 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will list the name, origin, and provenance of all data fields provided by the Cabinet Office “Gov.UK One Login” to the current “Basic Criminal Records Check Service” regarding an identity verified by (1) passport, and (2) drivers licence; and how long they retain each field after use.

When a person is seeking to use the ‘Request a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) basic check’ service online, they must first prove their identity via the GOV.UK One Login system. Once a user has successfully done so, GOV.UK One Login provides relevant data to DBS to confirm that the user is who they say they are. This data includes:

  • full name

  • date of birth

  • all addresses declared by the user, the dates they lived at each address, and the Unique Property Reference Number(s)

  • email address

  • phone number (if provided)

  • the level of identity confidence the user has reached

  • an encrypted security key

Where a user uses a passport to verify their identity:

  • passport number, ICAO issuer code, and passport expiry date

Where a user uses a driving licence to verify their identity:

  • driving licence number, expiry date, issue number and the organisation that issued the drivers licence

Each of the above fields is currently held in GOV.UK One Login for 6 months.

Only the ‘Request a DBS basic check’ service has access to the user’s data. The service only processes the minimum amount of data required to prove the user’s identity.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
24th Oct 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the new Inter-Ministerial Advisory Group on Science and Technology will be afforded the same decision-making status as its predecessor, the National Science and Technology Council.

The National Science and Technology Council was established as a Cabinet committee in October 2021 to consider matters relating to strategic advantage through science and technology. The Cabinet committee list was updated in September 2022. In October 2022, the National Science and Technology Council was established as an inter-ministerial group responsible for delivering an ambitious UK science and technology strategy and to consider key science and technology issues. Where collective agreement is necessary for issues covered by an inter-ministerial group, it is sought in the usual way through a committee or ministerial correspondence.

Cabinet committees support the principle of collective responsibility, ensuring that policy proposals receive thorough consideration and collective agreement. Cabinet committee decisions have the same authority as Cabinet decisions.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
11th Feb 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what are their current requirements for the geographic location of servers used to store public data when procuring cloud services.

When procuring cloud services, departments should use the Technology Code of Practice principles and follow the government Cloud First policy. They should also follow NCSC security guidance and the Information Commissioner's Office’s guidance on adequacy of a country’s level of data protection. These policies and guidance provide clear guidelines of the things a department should consider, including security classification and best value for the taxpayer.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
30th Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the impact of the SolarWinds cyberattack, first reported on 13 December 2020, on their (1) departments, and (2) agencies.

The reported SolarWinds compromise is a complex, global cyber incident, and the Government is working with international partners to understand its scale and assess any UK impact. This work is ongoing.

The National Cyber Security Centre has published guidance on their website.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
30th Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government which (1) departments, or (2) agencies, have suppliers who have been affected by the SolarWinds cyberattack, first reported on 13 December.

The reported SolarWinds compromise is a complex, global cyber incident, and the Government is working with international partners to understand its scale and assess any UK impact. This work is ongoing.

The National Cyber Security Centre has published guidance on their website.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
30th Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many direct contracts they have with SolarWinds; and of any such contracts, (1) which (a) departments, or (b) agencies, they are with, and (2) which contracts specify the use of the Orion Platform.

The reported SolarWinds compromise is a complex, global cyber incident, and the Government is working with international partners to understand its scale and assess any UK impact. This work is ongoing.

The National Cyber Security Centre has published guidance on their website.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
3rd Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Government Digital Service has undertaken a risk assessment of UK Government data being held with US cloud providers following the judgment by the European Court of Justice in the Schrems II case; and what the outcome of any such assessment was.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is currently reviewing cross government cloud policy and guidance, including the Cloud First policy. This includes reviewing the cloud hosting market and associated regulatory environment.

GDS is currently undertaking a risk assessment of all of its services and products (including GOV.UK) in relation to cross-border data flows. The new ECJ judgment will be considered as part of this assessment. The assessment will identify relevant data flows and make sure appropriate mitigation is implemented if necessary, following updates and guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). GDS has engaged with other government departments via data advisory groups and data protection networks to ensure consistent mitigation.

Ultimately, however, it is a decision for individual government organisations where and how to store their data, provided it is done in a secure way and offers good value for money.

3rd Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to revise the Government Cloud First policy following the judgment by the European Court of Justice in the Schrems II case.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is currently reviewing cross government cloud policy and guidance, including the Cloud First policy. This includes reviewing the cloud hosting market and associated regulatory environment.

GDS is currently undertaking a risk assessment of all of its services and products (including GOV.UK) in relation to cross-border data flows. The new ECJ judgment will be considered as part of this assessment. The assessment will identify relevant data flows and make sure appropriate mitigation is implemented if necessary, following updates and guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). GDS has engaged with other government departments via data advisory groups and data protection networks to ensure consistent mitigation.

Ultimately, however, it is a decision for individual government organisations where and how to store their data, provided it is done in a secure way and offers good value for money.

3rd Sep 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the judgment by the European Court of Justice in the Schrems II case, what assessment they have made of the use of US-based cloud providers to host UK Government data held in the UK.

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is currently reviewing cross government cloud policy and guidance, including the Cloud First policy. This includes reviewing the cloud hosting market and associated regulatory environment.

GDS is currently undertaking a risk assessment of all of its services and products (including GOV.UK) in relation to cross-border data flows. The new ECJ judgment will be considered as part of this assessment. The assessment will identify relevant data flows and make sure appropriate mitigation is implemented if necessary, following updates and guidance from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and the European Data Protection Board (EDPB). GDS has engaged with other government departments via data advisory groups and data protection networks to ensure consistent mitigation.

Ultimately, however, it is a decision for individual government organisations where and how to store their data, provided it is done in a secure way and offers good value for money.

27th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total spent by Government departments on Facebook advertising in the past year; and whether they have plans to join a boycott of major advertisers pending Facebook’s change of policy on hate speech and disinformation.

The UK Government is a significant advertiser on Facebook. Social media platforms enable departments and agencies to connect with citizens and businesses to communicate about important policies and help drive behaviour change, including in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Government is in correspondence with Facebook seeking reassurances and action on various points. Individual departments are responsible for their own advertising expenditure delivered in line with a centrally agreed approach coordinated by the Cabinet Office.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
24th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government which Government departments have official Facebook accounts.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office. This is the prerogative of individual departments.

The Government has no objections to digital media companies running political advertising, provided it is transparent, and we are bringing forward proposals to increase transparency in this area.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
24th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Government departments with official Facebook accounts intend to maintain those accounts, in the light of Facebook's continued refusal to ban political advertising.

The information requested is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office. This is the prerogative of individual departments.

The Government has no objections to digital media companies running political advertising, provided it is transparent, and we are bringing forward proposals to increase transparency in this area.

Lord True
Leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal
3rd May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Office of Product Safety and Standards's powers to take enforcement action against online marketplaces on behalf of consumers.

Existing product safety legislation places obligations on manufacturers, importers and distributors to ensure that consumer products are safe before they are placed on the UK market, including products sold online. This legislation also provides the necessary powers to hold manufacturers, importers and distributors to account in exercising their responsibilities.

The government’s Product Safety Review is considering concerns about the sale of unsafe products online, and a consultation, including proposals to examine existing enforcement powers, is being finalised for publication.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
3rd May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to widen the powers of the Office of Product Safety and Standards so it can issue legally binding obligations for online marketplaces to monitor the safety of products offered for sale on their websites.

Existing product safety legislation places obligations on manufacturers, importers and distributors to ensure that consumer products are safe before they are placed on the UK market, including products sold online. This legislation also provides the necessary powers to hold manufacturers, importers and distributors to account in exercising their responsibilities.

The government’s Product Safety Review is considering concerns about the sale of unsafe products online, and a consultation, including proposals to examine existing enforcement powers, is being finalised for publication.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
3rd May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government why discussions have been held with major online marketplaces on how to tackle unsafe products, such as toys, being sold via third-party sellers in the UK.

Ministers in this Department held a roundtable meeting with a number of online marketplaces on 24th April, demanding they take more action to keep unsafe products off their platforms. In addition, through the Office for Product Safety and Standards, government speaks regularly and directly to online marketplaces to tackle the availability of non-compliant products sold online, requiring recalls and takedowns and, where necessary, taking enforcement action to prevent unsafe products from being made available to UK consumers.

Additionally, the Government will shortly publish a consultation on the Product Safety Review which makes proposals for a more agile approach to deal with the changing world of commerce including online sales.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
18th Apr 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Office of Product Safety and Standards regarding the number of unsafe products, such as toys, sold by third-party sellers on online marketplaces.

The UK has strict laws that require that all consumer products must be safe before being placed on the UK market, either online or the high street.

The UK product regulator, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), has prioritised activities to target unsafe products sold by third party sellers online, including toys. Activities include checks on goods entering through borders, test purchasing and assessment of goods available online. OPSS is tackling the most serious cases by requiring recalls and takedowns and where necessary, taking enforcement action to prevent unsafe products from being made available to UK consumers. My colleague Minister Hollinrake and senior officials have held meetings with the major online marketplaces demanding they take more action to fulfil their responsibilities for supplying safe goods.

The Government is reviewing the product safety framework. Following its Call for Evidence, a consultation, including proposals to ensure that supply chain responsibilities are clear and concerns about the sale of unsafe products online are addressed, is being finalised and will be published shortly.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
18th Apr 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the case for making online marketplaces jointly and severally liable for products sold via their platforms.

The UK has strict laws that require that all consumer products must be safe before being placed on the UK market, either online or the high street.

The UK product regulator, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), has prioritised activities to target unsafe products sold by third party sellers online, including toys. Activities include checks on goods entering through borders, test purchasing and assessment of goods available online. OPSS is tackling the most serious cases by requiring recalls and takedowns and where necessary, taking enforcement action to prevent unsafe products from being made available to UK consumers. My colleague Minister Hollinrake and senior officials have held meetings with the major online marketplaces demanding they take more action to fulfil their responsibilities for supplying safe goods.

The Government is reviewing the product safety framework. Following its Call for Evidence, a consultation, including proposals to ensure that supply chain responsibilities are clear and concerns about the sale of unsafe products online are addressed, is being finalised and will be published shortly.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
18th Apr 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of unsafe products, such as toys, sold via third-party sellers in the UK.

The UK has strict laws that require that all consumer products must be safe before being placed on the UK market, either online or the high street.

The UK product regulator, the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), has prioritised activities to target unsafe products sold by third party sellers online, including toys. Activities include checks on goods entering through borders, test purchasing and assessment of goods available online. OPSS is tackling the most serious cases by requiring recalls and takedowns and where necessary, taking enforcement action to prevent unsafe products from being made available to UK consumers. My colleague Minister Hollinrake and senior officials have held meetings with the major online marketplaces demanding they take more action to fulfil their responsibilities for supplying safe goods.

The Government is reviewing the product safety framework. Following its Call for Evidence, a consultation, including proposals to ensure that supply chain responsibilities are clear and concerns about the sale of unsafe products online are addressed, is being finalised and will be published shortly.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
18th Apr 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government when the Office for Product Safety and Standards will publish its Product Safety Review.

The Product Safety Review consultation is currently being finalised and will be published shortly.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
18th Apr 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made (1) of the UK's ability to govern the safety of toys entering the UK marketplace, and (2) the upholding of UK consumer protections, during trade agreement negotiations.

The UK’s product safety regulatory framework, as regulated by the Office for Product Safety and Standards, provides a high level of protection to consumers. Any trade negotiations seek to achieve growth in the economy while also ensuring the safety of UK consumers.

Earl of Minto
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
24th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government how many automated decision-making systems are currently in use by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, even partially, to make decisions that affect people’s legal rights or entitlements; and how many of those systems have publicly available equality impact assessments or data protection impact assessments or both.

The Department’s analysts use machine learning techniques as part of analytical support to policy development. However, there is no use of such algorithms for automated decision making.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to grant the Intelligence and Security Committee oversight of the National Security Online Information Team.

The role and remit of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament (the ISC) is set out in the Justice and Security Act 2013 and accompanying Memorandum of Understanding agreed between the Committee and the Prime Minister.

The ISC oversees the policies, expenditure, administration and operations of MI5, SIS, GCHQ, Defence Intelligence, the Joint Intelligence Organisation, the National Security Secretariat and Homeland Security Group.

The National Security and Online Information Team is already overseen by the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee in the House of Commons and the Science and Technology Committee in the House of Lords. Consequently, there are no plans to grant the ISC additional oversight of NSOIT’s work.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
19th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the National Security Online Information Team has trusted flagger status with any social media companies.

The National Security and Online Information Team (NSOIT) tackles online attempts to manipulate the information environment while respecting the right to free speech, by only monitoring themes and trends - not individuals. The team is focused on threats posed by foreign states as well as risks to election integrity. NSOIT has policies and procedures in place, in accordance with all applicable legislation, to ensure that individuals are not monitored. In the limited circumstances where personal data might be inadvertently processed as part of NSOIT’s work, for example where personal data is embedded in text and cannot be automatically anonymised from social media posts, the team complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR and Coordinated inauthentic behaviour.

As is the case with a range of national and international public and academic bodies, DSIT has trusted flagger status with the major social media platforms. NSOIT will only flag a social media post where that is in line with ministerial approved remits, the post appears to be in breach of the platform’s terms of service and is likely to cause harm. Social media platforms decide whether or not content is a breach of their terms of service and, if so, what action to take.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
19th Feb 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that the National Security Online Information Team does not target individuals in the course of its work.

The National Security and Online Information Team (NSOIT) tackles online attempts to manipulate the information environment while respecting the right to free speech, by only monitoring themes and trends - not individuals. The team is focused on threats posed by foreign states as well as risks to election integrity. NSOIT has policies and procedures in place, in accordance with all applicable legislation, to ensure that individuals are not monitored. In the limited circumstances where personal data might be inadvertently processed as part of NSOIT’s work, for example where personal data is embedded in text and cannot be automatically anonymised from social media posts, the team complies with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018, UK GDPR and Coordinated inauthentic behaviour.

As is the case with a range of national and international public and academic bodies, DSIT has trusted flagger status with the major social media platforms. NSOIT will only flag a social media post where that is in line with ministerial approved remits, the post appears to be in breach of the platform’s terms of service and is likely to cause harm. Social media platforms decide whether or not content is a breach of their terms of service and, if so, what action to take.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
28th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government whether Ofcom has any plans (1) to hold discussions with the British Board of Film Classification to support its regulation of online pornography sites, and (2) to collaborate with the Internet Watch Foundation, in relation to child sex abuse material.

Ofcom, as the independent regulator of the Online Safety Act 2023 will decide on the stakeholder engagement it will carry out. It has said that it will engage with a range of stakeholders as it develops its guidance and codes of practice for the regulatory regime.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
28th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their announcement on 3 July regarding the launch of a pornography review to tackle exploitative, abusive and illegal content online, what update they can provide on plans for that review.

On 1 December, the government announced that Baroness Gabby Bertin has been appointed as the independent lead reviewer for the review of pornography regulation, legislation and enforcement. Details on her announcement and the review’s Terms of Reference can be found on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/illegal-pornography-abuse-and-exploitation-to-be-investigated-by-new-reviewer

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
21st Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Camrose on 3 April (HL6992), whether the incumbent operator in each area have informed consumers that before committing to a new two year full fibre service contract with them they can research other full fibre options available to them in their area.

The Government has strengthened Ofcom’s consumer protection rules to ensure consumers have the right level of information to make informed decisions.

As part of this, in February 2020, Ofcom brought in rules requiring communication providers to send a notification to customers nearing the end of their contract, encouraging them to get a new contract. These rules also require providers to send an annual notification for their consumers who are-out-contract, setting out the provider’s best available deals to the consumer.

Within the end-of-contract notification, providers must inform customers of the precise date their contract expires; notice periods should they wish to leave; the best offer available for renewal as well as the price they will pay if they take no action. Providers are not required to advise consumers if competitor services are present in their local area.

Ofcom are responsible for monitoring provider compliance with end-of-contract notification regulations, and recently took action against a provider who failed to issue information to their customers. Using the information contained within their end-of-contract notification, customers can find out what providers operate in their area using Ofcom’s broadband checker. Customers are also able to use one of the Ofcom accredited price comparison sites to see what offers they can access and how they compare to the best deal offered by their current provider.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Camrose on 3 April (HL6992), what assessment they have made of whether BT has adequately consulted the residents affected, particularly the vulnerable such as those who are (1) over 70, (2) disabled, (3) in remote rural areas, and (4) digitally excluded.

BT has a range of resilient solutions, including a battery back-up unit and hybrid phone. These solutions are compliant with, and in some cases exceed, Ofcom’s requirement to provide a back-up facility for emergency calls for a minimum of 1 hour during a power outage. It is worth noting that other providers may offer different solutions.

The BT hybrid phone with a mobile SIM card inside is not a solution that will be offered to customers that have no mobile signal where they live. Instead, they will be offered a battery back-up unit which will enable them to make a phone call in the event of a power cut. These solutions are available free-of-charge to vulnerable customers - those who use a telecare device, only use landlines and or are over the age of 75, without mobile signal or broadband or have disclosed other additional needs. These will be available for all to purchase if they wish.

Many Communication Providers, including BT, engage regularly with other broadband providers, Ofcom and power companies about the resilience of their networks and have robust contingency plans in place to protect their customers in the event of planned power outages.

Landline only customers will not be required to take a paid broadband service from providers if they do not wish to. Instead, they will be provided with a dedicated internet connection and router specifically for their landline service at no extra cost.

With regard to telecare systems, lifeline alarm systems or remote ringers, I cannot state definitively which products would function over Digital Voice or which would need modification or replacement, given the range of devices and providers across these sectors. However, Digital Voice telecare devices do exist for all use cases. Furthermore, the switch to Digital Voice has already taken place in other countries; in these cases, all telecare users have been provided Digital Voice compatible devices. DSIT has been working with the Department for Health and Social Care and the telecare industry to raise awareness of the migration and to help identify alternatives, while BT and other providers have set up test labs for manufacturers to test their equipment.

BT has engaged with a broad range of external stakeholders as part of its Digital Voice migration programme. The Digital Voice Advisory Group (DVAG) has advised BT on how best to support and engage with customers who will require additional support to migrate to Digital Voice. Members of the DVAG include representative groups and charities such as Age UK, the Department of Health and Social Care, Independent Age, Rural Services Network, and Which?. BT has also invited other organisations to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis. Other Communication Providers operate similar programmes to raise awareness.

BT has engaged with local authorities in a number of areas related to Digital Voice, although no local authorities are formal members of DVAG. BT is working with local authorities via industry working groups to discuss issues such as telecare and frequently engages with the Local Government Association about Digital Voice.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Camrose on 5 April (HL6988), whether all makes of wrist-worn personal alarms will operate over WiFi.

BT has a range of resilient solutions, including a battery back-up unit and hybrid phone. These solutions are compliant with, and in some cases exceed, Ofcom’s requirement to provide a back-up facility for emergency calls for a minimum of 1 hour during a power outage. It is worth noting that other providers may offer different solutions.

The BT hybrid phone with a mobile SIM card inside is not a solution that will be offered to customers that have no mobile signal where they live. Instead, they will be offered a battery back-up unit which will enable them to make a phone call in the event of a power cut. These solutions are available free-of-charge to vulnerable customers - those who use a telecare device, only use landlines and or are over the age of 75, without mobile signal or broadband or have disclosed other additional needs. These will be available for all to purchase if they wish.

Many Communication Providers, including BT, engage regularly with other broadband providers, Ofcom and power companies about the resilience of their networks and have robust contingency plans in place to protect their customers in the event of planned power outages.

Landline only customers will not be required to take a paid broadband service from providers if they do not wish to. Instead, they will be provided with a dedicated internet connection and router specifically for their landline service at no extra cost.

With regard to telecare systems, lifeline alarm systems or remote ringers, I cannot state definitively which products would function over Digital Voice or which would need modification or replacement, given the range of devices and providers across these sectors. However, Digital Voice telecare devices do exist for all use cases. Furthermore, the switch to Digital Voice has already taken place in other countries; in these cases, all telecare users have been provided Digital Voice compatible devices. DSIT has been working with the Department for Health and Social Care and the telecare industry to raise awareness of the migration and to help identify alternatives, while BT and other providers have set up test labs for manufacturers to test their equipment.

BT has engaged with a broad range of external stakeholders as part of its Digital Voice migration programme. The Digital Voice Advisory Group (DVAG) has advised BT on how best to support and engage with customers who will require additional support to migrate to Digital Voice. Members of the DVAG include representative groups and charities such as Age UK, the Department of Health and Social Care, Independent Age, Rural Services Network, and Which?. BT has also invited other organisations to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis. Other Communication Providers operate similar programmes to raise awareness.

BT has engaged with local authorities in a number of areas related to Digital Voice, although no local authorities are formal members of DVAG. BT is working with local authorities via industry working groups to discuss issues such as telecare and frequently engages with the Local Government Association about Digital Voice.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Camrose on 5 April (HL6988), whether residents without broadband will have to have a router installed and pay to be supplied with a broadband service.

BT has a range of resilient solutions, including a battery back-up unit and hybrid phone. These solutions are compliant with, and in some cases exceed, Ofcom’s requirement to provide a back-up facility for emergency calls for a minimum of 1 hour during a power outage. It is worth noting that other providers may offer different solutions.

The BT hybrid phone with a mobile SIM card inside is not a solution that will be offered to customers that have no mobile signal where they live. Instead, they will be offered a battery back-up unit which will enable them to make a phone call in the event of a power cut. These solutions are available free-of-charge to vulnerable customers - those who use a telecare device, only use landlines and or are over the age of 75, without mobile signal or broadband or have disclosed other additional needs. These will be available for all to purchase if they wish.

Many Communication Providers, including BT, engage regularly with other broadband providers, Ofcom and power companies about the resilience of their networks and have robust contingency plans in place to protect their customers in the event of planned power outages.

Landline only customers will not be required to take a paid broadband service from providers if they do not wish to. Instead, they will be provided with a dedicated internet connection and router specifically for their landline service at no extra cost.

With regard to telecare systems, lifeline alarm systems or remote ringers, I cannot state definitively which products would function over Digital Voice or which would need modification or replacement, given the range of devices and providers across these sectors. However, Digital Voice telecare devices do exist for all use cases. Furthermore, the switch to Digital Voice has already taken place in other countries; in these cases, all telecare users have been provided Digital Voice compatible devices. DSIT has been working with the Department for Health and Social Care and the telecare industry to raise awareness of the migration and to help identify alternatives, while BT and other providers have set up test labs for manufacturers to test their equipment.

BT has engaged with a broad range of external stakeholders as part of its Digital Voice migration programme. The Digital Voice Advisory Group (DVAG) has advised BT on how best to support and engage with customers who will require additional support to migrate to Digital Voice. Members of the DVAG include representative groups and charities such as Age UK, the Department of Health and Social Care, Independent Age, Rural Services Network, and Which?. BT has also invited other organisations to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis. Other Communication Providers operate similar programmes to raise awareness.

BT has engaged with local authorities in a number of areas related to Digital Voice, although no local authorities are formal members of DVAG. BT is working with local authorities via industry working groups to discuss issues such as telecare and frequently engages with the Local Government Association about Digital Voice.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Camrose on 3 April (HL6992) and 25 April (HL7108), what assessment they have made of whether the battery powered handsets which only last for a short time will be adequate for all but the briefest power cut and for those off the electricity grid.

BT has a range of resilient solutions, including a battery back-up unit and hybrid phone. These solutions are compliant with, and in some cases exceed, Ofcom’s requirement to provide a back-up facility for emergency calls for a minimum of 1 hour during a power outage. It is worth noting that other providers may offer different solutions.

The BT hybrid phone with a mobile SIM card inside is not a solution that will be offered to customers that have no mobile signal where they live. Instead, they will be offered a battery back-up unit which will enable them to make a phone call in the event of a power cut. These solutions are available free-of-charge to vulnerable customers - those who use a telecare device, only use landlines and or are over the age of 75, without mobile signal or broadband or have disclosed other additional needs. These will be available for all to purchase if they wish.

Many Communication Providers, including BT, engage regularly with other broadband providers, Ofcom and power companies about the resilience of their networks and have robust contingency plans in place to protect their customers in the event of planned power outages.

Landline only customers will not be required to take a paid broadband service from providers if they do not wish to. Instead, they will be provided with a dedicated internet connection and router specifically for their landline service at no extra cost.

With regard to telecare systems, lifeline alarm systems or remote ringers, I cannot state definitively which products would function over Digital Voice or which would need modification or replacement, given the range of devices and providers across these sectors. However, Digital Voice telecare devices do exist for all use cases. Furthermore, the switch to Digital Voice has already taken place in other countries; in these cases, all telecare users have been provided Digital Voice compatible devices. DSIT has been working with the Department for Health and Social Care and the telecare industry to raise awareness of the migration and to help identify alternatives, while BT and other providers have set up test labs for manufacturers to test their equipment.

BT has engaged with a broad range of external stakeholders as part of its Digital Voice migration programme. The Digital Voice Advisory Group (DVAG) has advised BT on how best to support and engage with customers who will require additional support to migrate to Digital Voice. Members of the DVAG include representative groups and charities such as Age UK, the Department of Health and Social Care, Independent Age, Rural Services Network, and Which?. BT has also invited other organisations to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis. Other Communication Providers operate similar programmes to raise awareness.

BT has engaged with local authorities in a number of areas related to Digital Voice, although no local authorities are formal members of DVAG. BT is working with local authorities via industry working groups to discuss issues such as telecare and frequently engages with the Local Government Association about Digital Voice.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Camrose on 3 April (HL6992) and 25 April (HL7109), what assessment they have made of whether there will be universal access to emergency services following deinstallation of copper wire connection.

BT has a range of resilient solutions, including a battery back-up unit and hybrid phone. These solutions are compliant with, and in some cases exceed, Ofcom’s requirement to provide a back-up facility for emergency calls for a minimum of 1 hour during a power outage. It is worth noting that other providers may offer different solutions.

The BT hybrid phone with a mobile SIM card inside is not a solution that will be offered to customers that have no mobile signal where they live. Instead, they will be offered a battery back-up unit which will enable them to make a phone call in the event of a power cut. These solutions are available free-of-charge to vulnerable customers - those who use a telecare device, only use landlines and or are over the age of 75, without mobile signal or broadband or have disclosed other additional needs. These will be available for all to purchase if they wish.

Many Communication Providers, including BT, engage regularly with other broadband providers, Ofcom and power companies about the resilience of their networks and have robust contingency plans in place to protect their customers in the event of planned power outages.

Landline only customers will not be required to take a paid broadband service from providers if they do not wish to. Instead, they will be provided with a dedicated internet connection and router specifically for their landline service at no extra cost.

With regard to telecare systems, lifeline alarm systems or remote ringers, I cannot state definitively which products would function over Digital Voice or which would need modification or replacement, given the range of devices and providers across these sectors. However, Digital Voice telecare devices do exist for all use cases. Furthermore, the switch to Digital Voice has already taken place in other countries; in these cases, all telecare users have been provided Digital Voice compatible devices. DSIT has been working with the Department for Health and Social Care and the telecare industry to raise awareness of the migration and to help identify alternatives, while BT and other providers have set up test labs for manufacturers to test their equipment.

BT has engaged with a broad range of external stakeholders as part of its Digital Voice migration programme. The Digital Voice Advisory Group (DVAG) has advised BT on how best to support and engage with customers who will require additional support to migrate to Digital Voice. Members of the DVAG include representative groups and charities such as Age UK, the Department of Health and Social Care, Independent Age, Rural Services Network, and Which?. BT has also invited other organisations to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis. Other Communication Providers operate similar programmes to raise awareness.

BT has engaged with local authorities in a number of areas related to Digital Voice, although no local authorities are formal members of DVAG. BT is working with local authorities via industry working groups to discuss issues such as telecare and frequently engages with the Local Government Association about Digital Voice.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
20th Nov 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Camrose on 3 April (HL6992) and 25 April (HL7109), what assessment they have made of whether having a battery powered handset provided by BT in case of power cuts with a mobile sim card inside will be sufficient if there is no mobile signal.

BT has a range of resilient solutions, including a battery back-up unit and hybrid phone. These solutions are compliant with, and in some cases exceed, Ofcom’s requirement to provide a back-up facility for emergency calls for a minimum of 1 hour during a power outage. It is worth noting that other providers may offer different solutions.

The BT hybrid phone with a mobile SIM card inside is not a solution that will be offered to customers that have no mobile signal where they live. Instead, they will be offered a battery back-up unit which will enable them to make a phone call in the event of a power cut. These solutions are available free-of-charge to vulnerable customers - those who use a telecare device, only use landlines and or are over the age of 75, without mobile signal or broadband or have disclosed other additional needs. These will be available for all to purchase if they wish.

Many Communication Providers, including BT, engage regularly with other broadband providers, Ofcom and power companies about the resilience of their networks and have robust contingency plans in place to protect their customers in the event of planned power outages.

Landline only customers will not be required to take a paid broadband service from providers if they do not wish to. Instead, they will be provided with a dedicated internet connection and router specifically for their landline service at no extra cost.

With regard to telecare systems, lifeline alarm systems or remote ringers, I cannot state definitively which products would function over Digital Voice or which would need modification or replacement, given the range of devices and providers across these sectors. However, Digital Voice telecare devices do exist for all use cases. Furthermore, the switch to Digital Voice has already taken place in other countries; in these cases, all telecare users have been provided Digital Voice compatible devices. DSIT has been working with the Department for Health and Social Care and the telecare industry to raise awareness of the migration and to help identify alternatives, while BT and other providers have set up test labs for manufacturers to test their equipment.

BT has engaged with a broad range of external stakeholders as part of its Digital Voice migration programme. The Digital Voice Advisory Group (DVAG) has advised BT on how best to support and engage with customers who will require additional support to migrate to Digital Voice. Members of the DVAG include representative groups and charities such as Age UK, the Department of Health and Social Care, Independent Age, Rural Services Network, and Which?. BT has also invited other organisations to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis. Other Communication Providers operate similar programmes to raise awareness.

BT has engaged with local authorities in a number of areas related to Digital Voice, although no local authorities are formal members of DVAG. BT is working with local authorities via industry working groups to discuss issues such as telecare and frequently engages with the Local Government Association about Digital Voice.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
17th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the factors contributing to the decline in life sciences foreign direct investment to the UK between 2021 and 2022 and of the associated fall from second to ninth of 18 comparator countries for inward life sciences direct investment since 2021.

The Government is committed to making the UK an attractive place for investment in Life Sciences. Recent changes to R&D tax relief and to capital allowances announced in the Spring budget have significantly improved the UK offer to foreign direct investment (FDI). FDI data – including both the Life Sciences Competitiveness Indicators and the inward investment results from the Department for Business and Trade – can display large year-on-year variations that are not representative of broader trends. Between 2012 and 2022 inward investment into the sector increased by 193%.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
17th Jul 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the link between the increase in rebate rates in the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access and the decline in life sciences foreign direct investment to the UK from £1.9 billion in 2021 to £1 billion in 2022.

No direct assessment has been made. However, payment rates in the 2019 VPAS have been below those forecast when the scheme was agreed with industry. The Government remains firmly committed to negotiating a mutually beneficial scheme that supports better patient outcomes, a strong UK life sciences industry, and the sustainability of NHS spend on branded medicines.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
14th Jun 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the link between (1) their ability to deliver the Life Sciences Vision, including the ambitions to grow the life sciences sector, and (2) the rebates imposed on companies through the Voluntary Scheme for Branded Medicines Pricing and Access.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) work closely with stakeholders across the sector to ensure we deliver the Life Sciences Vision. Supporting the life sciences industry and future innovation is an objective of the voluntary scheme for branded medicines pricing and access (VPAS), and DSIT is working with DHSC to understand how VPAS has impacted investment and innovation in the UK. The Government has considered in broad terms the link between volume-based rebate payments and various kinds of investment in our Impact Assessment of updates to the Statutory Scheme for branded medicines pricing, which operates alongside VPAS.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
2nd May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Camrose on 5 April (HL6987, HL6988, HL6989 and HL6990), whether local authorities are represented on the Digital Phone Advisory Group.

In April, BT announced the expansion of its trials of Digital Voice with a small group of customers, extending beyond its pilot schemes in Salisbury in the South West, and Mildenhall in Suffolk. This expansion group will be made up of lower usage landline customers who already have a full fibre broadband connection. These customers will be contacted four weeks in advance to help ensure they’re ready to migrate to Digital Voice. This will be followed by further communication ahead of their switchover date. These will be sent out via letter, postcards and text messages and will include all of the information they need to make the switch, including how to set up their phone on the day of the switch. For most customers, the switch will consist of simply connecting a handset to a router rather than the phone socket on the wall.

BT has engaged with a broad range of external stakeholders as part of its Digital Voice migration programme. The Digital Voice Advisory Group (DVAG) has advised BT on how best to support and engage with customers who will require additional support to migrate to Digital Voice. Members of the DVAG include representative groups and charities such as Age UK, Department of Health and Social Care, Independent Age, Rural Services Network, Silver Voices and Which?. BT have also invited other organisations to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis.

BT has engaged with local authorities in a number of areas related to Digital Voice, although no local authorities are formal members of DVAG. BT is working with local authorities via industry working groups to discuss issues such as telecare and frequently speaks to the Local Government Association about Digital Voice.

In the pilot areas of Salisbury and Mildenhall, Communication Providers have cultivated working relationships with Wiltshire and Suffolk Councils to support the migration and related engagement activity. Communication Providers will replicate this approach when the time comes to migrate customers on a regional basis, working closely with other local authorities across the country to ensure the regional migration is as effective as possible.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
2nd May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Camrose on 5 April (HL6987, HL6988, HL6989 and HL6990), what communications BT customers will receive during the migration to Digital Voice; how the installation process and equipment will be deployed; and whether there will be planned engineer visits for customers that either do not have any technical experience to install equipment or are unable to.

In April, BT announced the expansion of its trials of Digital Voice with a small group of customers, extending beyond its pilot schemes in Salisbury in the South West, and Mildenhall in Suffolk. This expansion group will be made up of lower usage landline customers who already have a full fibre broadband connection. These customers will be contacted four weeks in advance to help ensure they’re ready to migrate to Digital Voice. This will be followed by further communication ahead of their switchover date. These will be sent out via letter, postcards and text messages and will include all of the information they need to make the switch, including how to set up their phone on the day of the switch. For most customers, the switch will consist of simply connecting a handset to a router rather than the phone socket on the wall.

BT has engaged with a broad range of external stakeholders as part of its Digital Voice migration programme. The Digital Voice Advisory Group (DVAG) has advised BT on how best to support and engage with customers who will require additional support to migrate to Digital Voice. Members of the DVAG include representative groups and charities such as Age UK, Department of Health and Social Care, Independent Age, Rural Services Network, Silver Voices and Which?. BT have also invited other organisations to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis.

BT has engaged with local authorities in a number of areas related to Digital Voice, although no local authorities are formal members of DVAG. BT is working with local authorities via industry working groups to discuss issues such as telecare and frequently speaks to the Local Government Association about Digital Voice.

In the pilot areas of Salisbury and Mildenhall, Communication Providers have cultivated working relationships with Wiltshire and Suffolk Councils to support the migration and related engagement activity. Communication Providers will replicate this approach when the time comes to migrate customers on a regional basis, working closely with other local authorities across the country to ensure the regional migration is as effective as possible.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
2nd May 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Camrose on 5 April (HL6987, HL6988, HL6989 and HL6990), how at-risk customers, such as the chronically sick and disabled, who will receive additional support during their migration process under the Digital Voice programme, were identified by BT; and how many at-risk customers they identified in total.

While the number of at-risk customers BT have identified is commercially confidential, BT has developed a range of solutions to help ensure all of its customers, including those who are chronically ill, disabled or require additional support in another way, can have confidence in moving to and using the new home phone service. These options include, among others, free battery back-up units to engineer supported installations or hybrid landline phones. BT will provide the router and a Digital Voice adapter free of charge, on request to customers that need it.

The exact configuration of support each customer will require will vary depending on their specific needs. Customers wishing to contact BT by phone can do so at any time on 0800 800 150 to discuss their specific requirements. Additionally, further information about the range of support on offer is available on the BT website. Other Communications Providers offer similar services. If any customer needs any additional support or if they have additional needs, BT will arrange for an engineer to make a home visit.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)