Mathematical Sciences
Debate between Lord West of Spithead and Lord Leong
Lord Leong (Lab)
I thank the noble Viscount for that. I am sure he is aware that DSIT supports STEM talent partners; for example, over £100 million of funding has been committed to quantum skills programmes between 2024 and 2033. Our AI upskilling fund has been providing up to £10,000 for SMEs in the professional and business sector to deliver employee training. Everything has to start from somewhere, so we are spending the money to get people upskilled in the latest technology, whether it is coding or something else.
Lord West of Spithead (Lab)
My Lords, at recent visits to the universities in Cambridge and Manchester, I was shocked to find the huge number of Chinese who are fulfilling special courses on mathematics, quantum and AI. That worried me because I have read reports about a number of them being ex-PLA people. Are we are content with the vast percentage of places being taken in this way, or are we doing something about it?
Lord Leong (Lab)
I thank my noble friend for that. First, it is a myth that all Chinese do maths, because my daughter is not interested in it. Secondly, we have an open university system, so if people want to come to study in this country, whether it is maths or any other science, we should welcome them. We also always need to put in place certain structures to ensure that they are not leaving this country with any sensitive information and technology.
UK/US Free Trade Agreement
Debate between Lord West of Spithead and Lord Leong(2 months, 2 weeks ago)
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Lord West of Spithead (Lab)
My Lords, I spent 60 years closely involved with defence and intelligence with the United States. Does my noble friend the Minister agree that the strength of the relationship is so immense that we should never forget that, even when it comes to these other issues?
Lord Leong (Lab)
I thank my noble friend for that point—it is absolutely true. As I said, our relationship with the US has to be strong. We have so many partnership agreements, whether it is on defence, trade co-operation and so on, so we have to work with the incoming Administration, come what may.