Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help tackle young people's (a) mobile phone use and (b) online safety beyond the school environment.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Under the Online Safety Act, platforms must protect all users, including children, from illegal content and criminal behaviour online.
The child safety duties, which have been in force since July, require platforms to prevent children from encountering the most harmful legal content, including pornography and content that encourages, promotes or provides instructions for suicide, self-harm and eating disorders. Platforms must also protect children from other types of harmful content.
These laws are the foundation, and the government will continue to build on the Act to ensure that children are protected online.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will commission research involving (a) young people, (b) parents and (c) carers on mobile phone use outside school hours.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The department is developing the evidence base around children’s online safety, including smartphone use, to continually inform our policy response.
As part of this, DSIT commissioned a feasibility study into research on the impact of smartphones and social media on children. This six-month study considered methods to gather causal evidence of any impact and a review of existing research. It was led by expert researchers from UK universities. We will publish the feasibility study report in due course.
We are considering next steps based on the study’s findings. They will inform any future research involving young people, parents and carers.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has had discussions with professional bodies to promote uptake of cybersecurity (a) qualifications and (b) apprenticeships.
Answered by Feryal Clark
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology works closely with the UK Cyber Security Council, the professional body for the UK’s cyber workforce, supporting its efforts to develop professional standards. The Council was formed on the back of work by a coalition of professional bodies including the British Computer Society, the Engineering Council and the Institute of Engineering and Technology. The Council and DSIT continue to work with these bodies to develop professional standards.
The Council’s work creating professional standards and a register of cyber professionals is building pathways to enable more people to join the cyber workforce. Professional registration is a mark of quality that is already required for persons permitted to secure certain government systems. A stronger cyber profession will make the UK more resilient against cyber threats.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to increase the cybersecurity workforce.
Answered by Feryal Clark
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is increasing the number of individuals entering the UK’s cyber security workforce through CyberFirst, which has engaged over 415,000 young people with bursaries, competitions and training. The recently announced TechFirst programme will expand this effort across cyber and wider tech sector workforces.
Alongside this, DSIT fund the UK Cyber Security Council, established by Royal Charter, to set professional standards and maintain a practitioner register to simplify career pathways and improve workforce quality. These efforts are supported by international collaboration and regular labour market analysis to ensure a steady supply of talent across the cyber workforce.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of certification and professional standards on the (a) quality and (b) resilience of the UK’s cybersecurity workforce.
Answered by Feryal Clark
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology works closely with the UK Cyber Security Council, the professional body for the UK’s cyber workforce, supporting its efforts to develop professional standards. The Council was formed on the back of work by a coalition of professional bodies including the British Computer Society, the Engineering Council and the Institute of Engineering and Technology. The Council and DSIT continue to work with these bodies to develop professional standards.
The Council’s work creating professional standards and a register of cyber professionals is building pathways to enable more people to join the cyber workforce. Professional registration is a mark of quality that is already required for persons permitted to secure certain government systems. A stronger cyber profession will make the UK more resilient against cyber threats.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the cyber security industry in Manchester Rusholme on economic growth in the North West; and whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to update the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
Answered by Feryal Clark
The government’s new Industrial Strategy highlights cyber security as a strategically important sector and one with potential for high growth. The annual UK Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis shows the sector is worth £13.2 billion, up 12% on the previous year, having grown significantly each year since the analysis began.
Greater Manchester is recognised in the Industrial Strategy as a key centre of innovation and technology, with our analysis showing 8% of UK cyber companies and 10% of the country’s cyber workforce are based in the North West. Last year the North West attracted £101.5m in private equity cyber security investment, accounting for 49% of the UK total, the most for any region or devolved administration in the UK. The region is home to the Digital Information Security Hub (DiSH) and The University of Manchester is also recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research, highlighting Manchester’s importance in the cyber security industry.
The Home Office is reviewing the Computer Misuse Act, and will update on proposals taken forward in due course.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will visit the new Robotics Living Lab at the Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, to make an assessment of the potential merits of this example of investment by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council CReSca World Class Lab funding for innovative technology for sustainable fashion manufacturing.
Answered by Feryal Clark
The Robotics Living Lab was awarded £3.8 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through its World Class Labs programme. This represents an outstanding example of how public funding for university-driven and interdisciplinary research can attract private investment, and the government is delighted that it is now leading the future of textiles and fashion.
As part of the Industrial Strategy, the government recently published the Creative Industries Sector Plan to cement the UK’s position as a global creative powerhouse by 2035. A £100 million UKRI investment over the Spending Review will support the ambitious next wave of R&D creative clusters throughout the UK.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to establish the AI Security Institute as the primary regulator for artificial intelligence.
Answered by Feryal Clark
Artificial intelligence is the defining opportunity of our generation, and the Government is taking action to harness its economic benefits for UK citizens. As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, we believe most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use, with our expert regulators best placed to do so. Departments are working proactively with regulators to provide clear strategic direction and support them on their AI capability needs. Through well-designed and implemented regulation, we can fuel fast, wide and safe development and adoption of AI.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that cardiovascular disease is included in the upcoming Life Sciences Plan.
Answered by Feryal Clark
The Life Sciences Sector Plan will focus on enabling world-class R&D, making the UK an outstanding place to start, scale, and invest in life sciences, and driving healthcare innovation and reform. This approach will cement the UK’s global leadership in life sciences and support high-growth businesses, deliver better health outcomes across various diseases – including cardiovascular disease.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of levels of research and development funding for sickle cell disorder.
Answered by Feryal Clark
I refer the Hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 4th April to Question 42203.