Ben Spencer
Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge
7,627 (15.8%) majority - 2024 General ElectionFirst elected: 12th December 2019
Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
(since November 2024)2 APPG memberships (as of 2 Jan 2025)
Nordic Countries, Park Homes8 Former APPG memberships
Arts, Health and Wellbeing, Finland, HIV and AIDS, Japan, Mental Health, Rowing, South Western Railway, SwedenDivision Voting information
Ben Spencer voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 23 Conservative Aye votes vs 35 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 415 Noes - 47
Debates during the 2024 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
View All Sparring PartnersDepartment Debates
(15 debate contributions)
(14 debate contributions)
(7 debate contributions)
(7 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(880 words contributed)
(813 words contributed)
(543 words contributed)
Runnymede and Weybridge Petitions
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
of 114,076 signatures (0.84%)
of 124,586 signatures (0.46%)
of 84,781 signatures (0.20%)
of 207,344 signatures (0.15%)
of 114,076 signatures (0.84%)
of 124,586 signatures (0.46%)
of 207,344 signatures (0.15%)
of 145,878 signatures (0.13%)
Latest EDMs signed by Ben Spencer
Referral of matters of 21 February 2024 to the Committee of Privileges
Tabled by: William Wragg (Independent - Hazel Grove)That this House notes the Speaker’s decision on selection and calling of amendments on 21 February 2024 was not in accordance with the established precedent for Opposition days; and accordingly considers that, notwithstanding the Resolution of this House of 6 February 1978, the matter of whether undue pressure was placed …
(Most recent: 19 Apr 2024)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 42
Conservative: 25
Independent: 2
Plaid Cymru: 1
No confidence in the Speaker
Tabled by: William Wragg (Independent - Hazel Grove)That this House has no confidence in Mr Speaker.
(Most recent: 20 Mar 2024)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 42
Scottish National Party: 41
Independent: 3
Plaid Cymru: 3
Workers Party of Britain: 1
Commons initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Ben Spencer, 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.
Ben Spencer has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Ben Spencer has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
2 Bills introduced by Ben Spencer
A Bill to create offences relating to repeat breaches of planning controls; to make provision about penalties for planning offences; to establish a national register of persons who have committed planning offences or breached planning controls and make associated provision about planning applications; and for connected purposes.
Friday 19th November 2021
A Bill to make provision for the collection and publication of statistics on mental health hospital admissions; and for connected purposes.
Wednesday 5th February 2020
Ben Spencer has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)Annually, in line with the Financial Reporting Council’s Corporate Governance Code, the Post Office Board runs a Board Evaluation exercise to determine skills gaps on the Board and areas for improvement. The outcomes of this review are shared with DBT as the Post Office Shareholder. The Government monitors the implementation of their recommendations via the Shareholder Representative, UK Government Investments, to support the continuous improvement of the Board.
In line with Post Office’s governance framework, the Government recently approved the Post Office Chair to lead the recruitment of new Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) specialising in technological transformation and organisational design to complement the Board’s existing composition. A further two new Postmaster NEDs should join the Board in the near future, providing an ongoing voice on behalf of the postmaster community.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK has over 70 trade agreements in place. APHA facilities and services managing the risks posed by animal diseases to human and animal health are crucial to underpinning the biosecurity of imports and exports under all of them.
Published impact assessments for the UK’s trade agreements can be found on Gov.uk.
Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Work continues to progress the UK Severe Space Weather Preparedness Strategy which was published in September 2021.
The Strategy was developed in close collaboration with the academic community and commits to a series of targeted research and development activities. This is currently being delivered through the Space Weather Innovation, Measurement, Modelling and Risk (SWIMMR) programme.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
47 Department for Science, Innovation & Technology Questions
(View all Ben Spencer's DSIT questions)The Secretary of State has not had any conversations with the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) on this topic. GOTT helps to accelerate government’s innovations towards the market to impact growth and deliver new products and services for citizens.
Government, however, welcomes research on this important topic and has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of harmful and illegal generative AI content and to identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including CSAM content created using AI technology. Ofcom has set out steps providers can take for these duties in draft codes of practice and will develop these iteratively. These steps include measures to detect, prevent and remove CSAM. The Act requires Ofcom to consult extensively when drafting its codes and Ofcom has an ongoing programme of research. The first code is due to come into force in Spring 2025.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including CSAM content created using AI technology. Ofcom has set out steps providers can take for these duties in draft codes of practice and will develop these iteratively. These steps include measures to detect, prevent and remove CSAM. The Act requires Ofcom to consult extensively when drafting its codes and Ofcom has an ongoing programme of research. The first code is due to come into force in Spring 2025.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including CSAM content created using AI technology. Ofcom has set out steps providers can take for these duties in draft codes of practice and will develop these iteratively. These steps include measures to detect, prevent and remove CSAM. The Act requires Ofcom to consult extensively when drafting its codes and Ofcom has an ongoing programme of research. The first code is due to come into force in Spring 2025.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including CSAM content created using AI technology. Ofcom has set out steps providers can take for these duties in draft codes of practice and will develop these iteratively. These steps include measures to detect, prevent and remove CSAM. The Act requires Ofcom to consult extensively when drafting its codes and Ofcom has an ongoing programme of research. The first code is due to come into force in Spring 2025.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing Bill.
We welcome research on this important topic. DSIT co-led the Deepfake Detection Challenge with the Home Office to assess existing capabilities and identify innovative solutions to overcome the challenges of deepfakes. In addition, we have engaged with a range of stakeholders across industry, academia and civil society to understand the potential for further detection, prevention and removal of deepfake content and identify future research priorities.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
Uveitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for uveitis research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for uveitis research was £248,809 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Cataract | NIHR allocated £2,584,219 for research concerning cataracts research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for cataract research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Keratoconus | NIHR allocated £49,458 for research concerning keratoconus research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for keratoconus research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Blepharitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in 2023-24. |
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion | NIHR allocated £70,000 for research concerning central retinal vein occlusion in the financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for central retinal vein occlusion research in 2023-24. |
Retinal Detachment Occlusion Research | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinal detachment occlusion research in financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for retinal detachment occlusion research was £1,223,830 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
Uveitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for uveitis research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for uveitis research was £248,809 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Cataract | NIHR allocated £2,584,219 for research concerning cataracts research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for cataract research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Keratoconus | NIHR allocated £49,458 for research concerning keratoconus research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for keratoconus research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Blepharitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in 2023-24. |
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion | NIHR allocated £70,000 for research concerning central retinal vein occlusion in the financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for central retinal vein occlusion research in 2023-24. |
Retinal Detachment Occlusion Research | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinal detachment occlusion research in financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for retinal detachment occlusion research was £1,223,830 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
Uveitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for uveitis research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for uveitis research was £248,809 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Cataract | NIHR allocated £2,584,219 for research concerning cataracts research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for cataract research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Keratoconus | NIHR allocated £49,458 for research concerning keratoconus research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for keratoconus research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Blepharitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in 2023-24. |
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion | NIHR allocated £70,000 for research concerning central retinal vein occlusion in the financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for central retinal vein occlusion research in 2023-24. |
Retinal Detachment Occlusion Research | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinal detachment occlusion research in financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for retinal detachment occlusion research was £1,223,830 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
Uveitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for uveitis research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for uveitis research was £248,809 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Cataract | NIHR allocated £2,584,219 for research concerning cataracts research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for cataract research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Keratoconus | NIHR allocated £49,458 for research concerning keratoconus research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for keratoconus research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Blepharitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in 2023-24. |
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion | NIHR allocated £70,000 for research concerning central retinal vein occlusion in the financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for central retinal vein occlusion research in 2023-24. |
Retinal Detachment Occlusion Research | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinal detachment occlusion research in financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for retinal detachment occlusion research was £1,223,830 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
Uveitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for uveitis research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for uveitis research was £248,809 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Cataract | NIHR allocated £2,584,219 for research concerning cataracts research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for cataract research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Keratoconus | NIHR allocated £49,458 for research concerning keratoconus research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for keratoconus research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Blepharitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in 2023-24. |
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion | NIHR allocated £70,000 for research concerning central retinal vein occlusion in the financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for central retinal vein occlusion research in 2023-24. |
Retinal Detachment Occlusion Research | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinal detachment occlusion research in financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for retinal detachment occlusion research was £1,223,830 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
Uveitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for uveitis research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for uveitis research was £248,809 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Cataract | NIHR allocated £2,584,219 for research concerning cataracts research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for cataract research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Keratoconus | NIHR allocated £49,458 for research concerning keratoconus research in financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for keratoconus research was £516,566 for 1 award (1 award from Innovate UK). |
Blepharitis | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for blepharitis research in 2023-24. |
Central Retinal Vein Occlusion | NIHR allocated £70,000 for research concerning central retinal vein occlusion in the financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for central retinal vein occlusion research in 2023-24. |
Retinal Detachment Occlusion Research | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinal detachment occlusion research in financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for retinal detachment occlusion research was £1,223,830 for 1 award (1 award from MRC). |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) was formally established on 8th October 2024. Initially it is supporting the growth of four fast-growing areas of technology. These are: Engineering biology, Space, Artificial Intelligence and digital in healthcare; and Drones and other autonomous technology. In developing the next priority areas, the RIO will explore a wide range of technologies.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) helps accelerate government’s innovations towards the market, to impact growth and deliver new products and services for citizens. GOTT provides expertise, funding, and guidance to central government departments and arm’s length bodies across the spectrum of technologies. Since July 2024 there have been no specific discussions between the Secretary of State and GOTT on its approach to supporting market innovation into nanotechnology.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
open-angle glaucoma | NIHR allocated £140,000 for open-angle Glaucoma research in 2023-24 | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for glaucoma research was £1,209,175 for 3 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 2 awards from MRC). |
closed-angle glaucoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for closed-angle glaucoma research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
wet macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for wet macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for macular degeneration research was £3,941,644 for 11 awards (1 award from BBSRC; 3 awards from EPSRC; 1 award from Innovate UK; 3 awards from MRC; 2 awards from centrally managed UKRI schemes). |
dry macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funing for dry macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
diabetic retinopathy | NIHR allocated £977,340 for diabetic retinopathy research in the financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for diabetic retinopathy research was £1,068,246 for 2 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 1 award from EPSRC). |
retinitis pigmentosa | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research during financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research in 2023-24. |
retinoblastoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research during the financial year of 2023-24 | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research in 2023-24. |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
open-angle glaucoma | NIHR allocated £140,000 for open-angle Glaucoma research in 2023-24 | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for glaucoma research was £1,209,175 for 3 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 2 awards from MRC). |
closed-angle glaucoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for closed-angle glaucoma research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
wet macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for wet macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for macular degeneration research was £3,941,644 for 11 awards (1 award from BBSRC; 3 awards from EPSRC; 1 award from Innovate UK; 3 awards from MRC; 2 awards from centrally managed UKRI schemes). |
dry macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funing for dry macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
diabetic retinopathy | NIHR allocated £977,340 for diabetic retinopathy research in the financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for diabetic retinopathy research was £1,068,246 for 2 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 1 award from EPSRC). |
retinitis pigmentosa | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research during financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research in 2023-24. |
retinoblastoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research during the financial year of 2023-24 | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research in 2023-24. |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
open-angle glaucoma | NIHR allocated £140,000 for open-angle Glaucoma research in 2023-24 | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for glaucoma research was £1,209,175 for 3 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 2 awards from MRC). |
closed-angle glaucoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for closed-angle glaucoma research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
wet macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for wet macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for macular degeneration research was £3,941,644 for 11 awards (1 award from BBSRC; 3 awards from EPSRC; 1 award from Innovate UK; 3 awards from MRC; 2 awards from centrally managed UKRI schemes). |
dry macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funing for dry macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
diabetic retinopathy | NIHR allocated £977,340 for diabetic retinopathy research in the financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for diabetic retinopathy research was £1,068,246 for 2 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 1 award from EPSRC). |
retinitis pigmentosa | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research during financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research in 2023-24. |
retinoblastoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research during the financial year of 2023-24 | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research in 2023-24. |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
open-angle glaucoma | NIHR allocated £140,000 for open-angle Glaucoma research in 2023-24 | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for glaucoma research was £1,209,175 for 3 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 2 awards from MRC). |
closed-angle glaucoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for closed-angle glaucoma research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
wet macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for wet macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for macular degeneration research was £3,941,644 for 11 awards (1 award from BBSRC; 3 awards from EPSRC; 1 award from Innovate UK; 3 awards from MRC; 2 awards from centrally managed UKRI schemes). |
dry macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funing for dry macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
diabetic retinopathy | NIHR allocated £977,340 for diabetic retinopathy research in the financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for diabetic retinopathy research was £1,068,246 for 2 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 1 award from EPSRC). |
retinitis pigmentosa | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research during financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research in 2023-24. |
retinoblastoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research during the financial year of 2023-24 | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research in 2023-24. |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
open-angle glaucoma | NIHR allocated £140,000 for open-angle Glaucoma research in 2023-24 | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for glaucoma research was £1,209,175 for 3 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 2 awards from MRC). |
closed-angle glaucoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for closed-angle glaucoma research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
wet macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for wet macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for macular degeneration research was £3,941,644 for 11 awards (1 award from BBSRC; 3 awards from EPSRC; 1 award from Innovate UK; 3 awards from MRC; 2 awards from centrally managed UKRI schemes). |
dry macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funing for dry macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
diabetic retinopathy | NIHR allocated £977,340 for diabetic retinopathy research in the financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for diabetic retinopathy research was £1,068,246 for 2 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 1 award from EPSRC). |
retinitis pigmentosa | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research during financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research in 2023-24. |
retinoblastoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research during the financial year of 2023-24 | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research in 2023-24. |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
open-angle glaucoma | NIHR allocated £140,000 for open-angle Glaucoma research in 2023-24 | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for glaucoma research was £1,209,175 for 3 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 2 awards from MRC). |
closed-angle glaucoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for closed-angle glaucoma research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
wet macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for wet macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for macular degeneration research was £3,941,644 for 11 awards (1 award from BBSRC; 3 awards from EPSRC; 1 award from Innovate UK; 3 awards from MRC; 2 awards from centrally managed UKRI schemes). |
dry macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funing for dry macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
diabetic retinopathy | NIHR allocated £977,340 for diabetic retinopathy research in the financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for diabetic retinopathy research was £1,068,246 for 2 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 1 award from EPSRC). |
retinitis pigmentosa | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research during financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research in 2023-24. |
retinoblastoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research during the financial year of 2023-24 | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research in 2023-24. |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was awarded £20 million funding for a five-year period starting from December 2022.
UKRI’s Medical Research Council (MRC) also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. This includes a wide variety of areas including physiological, biological, and mechanistic aspects that are applicable to many eye diseases and disorders of vision.
Details of UKRI and NIHR funding on specific areas is provided in the table below:
| NIHR funding in FY 2023/24 | UKRI Funding in 2023/24 |
open-angle glaucoma | NIHR allocated £140,000 for open-angle Glaucoma research in 2023-24 | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for glaucoma research was £1,209,175 for 3 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 2 awards from MRC). |
closed-angle glaucoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for closed-angle glaucoma research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
wet macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for wet macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for macular degeneration research was £3,941,644 for 11 awards (1 award from BBSRC; 3 awards from EPSRC; 1 award from Innovate UK; 3 awards from MRC; 2 awards from centrally managed UKRI schemes). |
dry macular degeneration | NIHR did not commit any specific funing for dry macular degeneration research during the financial year of 2023-24. | |
diabetic retinopathy | NIHR allocated £977,340 for diabetic retinopathy research in the financial year 2023-24. | The total commitment across UKRI in 2023-24 for diabetic retinopathy research was £1,068,246 for 2 awards (1 award from Innovate UK; 1 award from EPSRC). |
retinitis pigmentosa | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research during financial year 2023-24. | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinitis pigmentosa research in 2023-24. |
retinoblastoma | NIHR did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research during the financial year of 2023-24 | UKRI did not commit any specific funding for retinoblastoma research in 2023-24. |
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department has regular discussions with businesses and universities, including space stakeholders, on a range of issues although there have been no discussions on space weather and its consequences.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Department has regular discussions with businesses and universities, including space stakeholders, on a range of issues although there have been no discussions on space weather and its consequences.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
We have made no such direct assessment, but as a general-purpose technology, AI has a wide array of applications and the UK's existing expert regulators are best placed to regulate the vast majority of AI systems in the context in which they’re deployed.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
AI is a general-purpose technology, with a wide array of applications. The UK's existing expert regulators are best placed to regulate the vast majority of AI systems in the context in which they’re deployed.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The UK continues to prioritise activities to mitigate the impacts of space weather. Severe space weather is identified in our National Risk Register and our response is outlined in the Severe Space Weather Preparedness Strategy.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Ministers have had no such discussions and ARIA does not currently have a programme focused on space weather.
As set out in ARIA’s Framework Agreement, ARIA has maximum autonomy over its research and project choice. Decisions on the programme portfolio are set by ARIA, and allocation of funding to research projects is decided by those with relevant technical expertise.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Ministers have had no such discussions.
However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’s capabilities for space weather monitoring and prediction.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Ministers have had no such discussions.
However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’s capabilities for space weather monitoring and prediction.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Ministers have had no such discussions.
However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’s capabilities for space weather monitoring and prediction.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Ministers have had no such discussions.
However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’s capabilities for space weather monitoring and prediction.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Ministers have had no such discussions.
However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’s capabilities for space weather monitoring and prediction.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Ministers have had no such discussions.
However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’s capabilities for space weather monitoring and prediction.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Ministers have had no such discussions.
However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’s capabilities for space weather monitoring and prediction.
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)