First elected: 12th December 2019
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Andrew Griffith, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Andrew Griffith has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Andrew Griffith has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
A Bill to authorise the use of resources for the year ending with 31 March 2023; to authorise the issue of sums out of the Consolidated Fund for that year; and to appropriate the supply authorised by this Act for that year.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 25th October 2022 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to require dog keepers to register a dog’s DNA on a database; to make provision about such databases and about the information held on them; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make vehicle registration offences under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 attract driving record penalty points; and for connected purposes.
Andrew Griffith has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is an executive non-departmental public body established in statute by the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (2010). The Commission is independent.
The Cabinet Office, through the Propriety and Constitution Group, sponsors the Civil Service Commission and has appropriate sponsorship arrangements in place to carry out this function whilst safeguarding its independence. The governance and accountability arrangements for the Commission are set out in its ‘Governance Statement’ in the latest Annual Report and Accounts, which can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-commission-annual-report-and-accounts-202223
Staff recruited by the Civil Service Commission are employed by the Cabinet Office and seconded to the Commission for the duration of the time in their role. The Civil Service Commission is independent; its staff operate under the direction of the First Civil Service Commissioner and the Civil Service Commissioners.
As Cabinet Office employees, staff in the Civil Service Commission are subject to Cabinet Office contractual terms and conditions (for example in relation to salary and leave entitlements) and are supported in the application of these by the Cabinet Office's corporate functions.
The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is an executive non-departmental public body established in statute by the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act (2010) to provide assurance that civil servants are selected on merit on the basis of fair and open competition and to help safeguard an impartial Civil Service. The Commission is independent of Government and of the Civil Service.
The Commission acts in accordance with its legislation and takes direction from the independent First Civil Service Commissioner and the independent Civil Service Commissioners, who are appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition following the principles set out in the CSC’s Recruitment Principles and in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.
The published Civil Service Commission 2022/2023 Annual Report shows the current Interim Chief Executive began the role on 15 May 2023. An external recruitment process to appoint a permanent Chief Executive was launched in May 2024 and is expected to conclude in September 2024.
The Civil Service Commission is the independent regulator of Civil Service recruitment and carries out its functions independently of Government and in line with the provisions of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010.
On Friday 30 August the Civil Service Commissioner wrote to departments, including the CO, to say that they would carry out a short review of appointments made by exception since 1 July.
Planning applications for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects include a statutory requirement for an Environmental Impact Assessment to be carried out and for the competent authority (decision-maker) to undertake a Habitats Regulations Assessment, which is published alongside the Decision Letter.
These assessments consider both the adverse and beneficial effects on designated habitats and rare species. Consultation is undertaken with the relevant Statutory Nature Conservation Body such as Natural England and will include mitigation and compensation advice when necessary. Recent examples of environmental and habitats assessments for large solar farms demonstrate that there is often the opportunity to secure net gains for biodiversity.
The answer was amended to correct an administrative error. The amendment corrected the exception number cited in the response - this was previously listed as exception 4, when it should have been listed as exception 1.
The Director General, Digital Centre Design was appointed in line with Civil Service Recruitment Principles and the Civil Service Commission was provided with the relevant background information requested, including the Director General’s previous work roles, when approving this temporary appointment.
The role of Director General Digital Centre Design went through approvals appropriate to a fixed term appointment, including Civil Service Commission under exception 1. Permanent roles will be advertised under fair and open competition in line with usual processes.
The role of Director General Digital Centre Design went through approvals appropriate to a fixed term appointment, including Civil Service Commission under exception 1. Permanent roles will be advertised under fair and open competition in line with usual processes.
The role of Director General Digital Centre Design went through approvals appropriate to a fixed term appointment, including Civil Service Commission under exception 1. Permanent roles will be advertised under fair and open competition in line with usual processes.
The role of Director General Digital Centre Design went through approvals appropriate to a fixed term appointment, including Civil Service Commission under exception 1. Permanent roles will be advertised under fair and open competition in line with usual processes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the Government’s plan to kickstart an era of economic growth, transform how we deliver public services, and boost living standards for working people across the country. Over the next few months, we will be ensuring that AI is used to drive the government’s missions and priorities, including the Industrial Strategy, the AI Opportunities Action Plan, and wider commitments.
As the Chancellor set out in her statement on July 29, the government’s spending audit has identified a forecast Resource DEL overspend of £21.9 billion against the plans set out for departments at Spring Budget 2024. This already factors in the Treasury’s assessment of a £7.1bn fallaway over the course of the year, as set out in Table 1 of Fixing the foundations: public spending audit 2024-25.
The government has announced £5.5 billion of savings in 2024-25, bringing the in-year pressures down to £16.4 billion.
The Life Sciences Council is a crucial forum for convening the sector and advancing UK Life Sciences. We will bolster the Council and have it report directly to the Industrial Strategy Council. It will meet again in due course.
The Government is determined to develop the skilled workforce that the UK needs across the whole economy, including in Space. That is why it is creating Skills England and will bring forward a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education to break down barriers to opportunity, support the development of a skilled workforce, and drive economic growth through our industrial strategy. Decisions about sector specific workforce action plans will be taken in due course.
The Department reports in year spend to Ministers and the Permanent Secretary through the monthly reporting cycle. As and when underspends or pressures emerge, the Department works with HM Treasury to take appropriate action.
The Department’s audited accounts for Financial Year 2024-25 will be published at the appropriate time once the Financial Year has concluded.
The Department will take forward a programme of work to identify and deliver efficiency savings going forward as part of the upcoming Spending Review process.
The General Election was called during the open competition period for an incipient National Academy focused on mathematical sciences. My Department recognises the value that the mathematical sciences community brings to innovation, science and growth and will confirm the outcome of the competition in due course.
In our manifesto, the government announced its intent to establish a Regulatory Innovation Office. I am working with officials to define initial areas of focus, whilst developing long term plans to ensure the RIO can support economic growth through regulatory innovation. Further detail will be announced in due course.
I refer the Honourable Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister about Machinery of Government changes on 24 July 2024. Preparations for the planned Machinery of Government change between the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office are underway. This includes the move of Government Digital Service, Central Digital and Data Office and Incubator for AI into Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The planned timetable and details for completing the transfer of staff as part of this Machinery of Government change has not yet been confirmed and we will advise in due course.
I refer the Honourable Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister about Machinery of Government changes on 24 July 2024. Preparations for the planned Machinery of Government change between the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office are underway. This includes the move of Government Digital Service, Central Digital and Data Office and Incubator for AI into Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The planned timetable and details for completing the transfer of staff as part of this Machinery of Government change has not yet been confirmed and we will advise in due course.
As set out in the King’s Speech, we will establish appropriate legislation to ensure the safe development of AI models by introducing targeted requirements on a handful of companies developing the most powerful AI systems. We will work with other departments and consult publicly on the details of these proposals before legislation is brought forward.
I am pleased that we committed in the King's Speech to a targeted approach to AI regulation. As we develop these regulations, we recognise the need to engage with a range of international partners. This includes engaging with the EU, who are a key science and technology partner, to discuss our respective approaches, as well as working alongside them and other partners in the G7, OECD, UN, and other international fora.
In the King’s speech we committed to establishing appropriate legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence models. As we develop these, we recognise the need to engage with a range of international partners. This includes engaging with the US, who are a key science and technology partner, to discuss our respective approaches, as well as working alongside them and other partners in the G7, OECD, UN and other international fora.
There were 691 patents granted (registered) by the Intellectual Property Office in June 2024.
Currently, the Department employs two staff whose role is solely dedicated to diversity and inclusion the focus of these roles is on compliance with the statutory obligations, including the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), and delivering key priorities, as set out in the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, and the Civil Service People Plan.
The life sciences sector will play a crucial role in both kickstarting economic growth and building an NHS fit for the future. We plan to strengthen the Office for Life Sciences, so that it is politically empowered to truly drive delivery across government. We will bolster the Office for Life Science’s operation across departments to cement this sector’s world-leading status.
Following the announcement of Simon Blagden’s resignation on 19 July 2024, the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology is working at pace to appoint an interim Chair of Building Digital UK. We will confirm in due course the timelines for the permanent Governance of BDUK.
Over £1.6 billion of contracts have already been announced as part of Project Gigabit, to extend the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband beyond commercially viable areas across the UK. A further £1 billion of funding is proposed in live and upcoming procurements.
Superfast broadband is already available in 98% of homes and business premises.
Non-standalone 5G is available outside 92% of UK premises and two of the four Mobile Network Operators have begun to deploy standalone 5G. The previous government set an ambition for nationwide standalone 5G coverage in populated areas by 2030, but attached no government subsidy to this.
Universities have a vital role to play in supporting the Government’s growth mission; in 2021/22 university spin-outs raised £5.29 billion in investment. As stated in our manifesto, the Government will work with universities to support spin-outs which play a vital role in creating the innovations that will support our national Missions. We welcome the work that Irene Tracey and Andrew Williamson produced for the independent review and will consider their recommendations carefully.
The Government will create a National Data Library to make it easier to access public sector data, help deliver data-driven public services, support our research sector, and create opportunities for economic growth. The National Data Library will include strong safeguards and maximise public benefit.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is leading planning of the National Data Library, including the projected budget and delivery milestones.
This government is committed to maintaining and renewing our road networks to ensure they work for all road users and to future investment on the Strategic Road Network. However, as the Chancellor has said, we face the worst set of circumstances since the Second World War. She has committed to presenting to Parliament, before the summer recess, an assessment of the state of the new Government’s spending inheritance and has made clear that she will not shrink from difficult choices.
The Department for Transport has not commissioned research on the level of airborne particulate matter on the A283 in Storrington. However, the Environment Agency does record air quality in Storrington as part of the national air quality monitoring network on behalf of the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs.
It is estimated that around 26,033 people in Arundel and South Downs constituency will be affected by the decision to amend the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment. This is based on Feb-24 Pension Credit statistics and 22-23 for Winter Fuel Payments statistics (sources below).
This estimation is calculated by subtracting the number of Pension Credit recipients for Arundel and South Downs constituency from the number of Winter Fuel Payment recipients for Arundel and South Downs constituency. This is essentially the number of Winter Fuel Payment claimants pre-policy change not claiming Pension Credit, as an estimate of those who will no longer receive Winter fuel payment. The Pension Credit data that is used is based on the 2010 Westminster Parliamentary constituencies, not 2024, in order to be comparable with the Winter Fuel Payments statistics.
Also, the above figures do not take into account any potential increase in Pension Credit take-up we might see as a result of the Pensions Credit Awareness campaign. We do not have data on those additional Pension Credit claims by Parliamentary constituencies or local authorities.
The published Pension Credit figures refer to households rather than individuals, so the number of individuals claiming Pension Credit, will be higher. This means that the estimates provided above will overstate the number of pensioners affected by the decision to amend the eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payment.
In addition to that, Pension Credit claimants are the majority of those that will be eligible for Winter Fuel Payments, not all. There are other pensioners who are eligible for Winter Fuel Payments (as they claim other means tested benefits) but they are not considered in these figures as it is not possible to do so.
Sources:
The Winter Fuel Payments statistics are published here: Winter Fuel Payment statistics for winter 2022 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Pension Credit data is published here: Pension Credit – Data from May 2018
The Department publishes a UK Clinical Research Delivery Performance Indicators Report monthly, which is available at the following link:
The metrics of the report include, but are not limited to:
- the proportion of all studies receiving combined regulatory review achieved within 60 days, measured from submission to combined regulatory decision;
- the proportion of commercial contract studies open to recruitment within 60 days of the Health Research Authority’s approval letter, or equivalent process used by the devolved administrations;
- the proportion of commercial contract studies recruiting their first participant within 30 days of the sites opening to recruitment, except where this is not expected in the study milestone plan, for example rare disease studies;
- the proportion of all open studies on track, delivering on time and target; and
- the recruitment to all studies, including all commercial studies.
By monitoring these key performance indicators, the Department is committed to improving clinical trial performance in the United Kingdom.
The department does not hold information on the immigration status of those on the waiting lists.
Local Authority Housing Statistics show that, at 31 March 2023, Horsham District Council had 740 households on the waiting list for social housing, Chichester District Council had 2,029 households on the waiting list, and Arun District Council had 1,732 households on the waiting lists.
Local Authority Housing Statistics also show that Horsham District Council has a local connection test in place to determine who qualifies for social housing, Chichester District Council has both a residency and local connection test, and Arun District Council has a residency test.
Local councils already have necessary powers to give priority to local residents, and most are doing so. In March 2023, 89% of councils had a local connection test and/or a residency test in place.
Responses to the recent consultation on changes to social housing allocation tests made it clear that mandating a local connection test would not add to existing powers that councils have in any meaningful way and would only serve to remove vital flexibility to design and operate qualification tests in a way that best meets the needs of individual local areas.
The response is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-reforms-to-social-housing-allocations/outcome/government-response-to-the-consultation-on-changes-to-social-housing-allocation-tests.