Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with universities on the UK’s approach to research into food biosecurity since July 2024.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department has regular discussions with businesses and universities on a range of issues.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with businesses on the UK’s approach to research into food biosecurity since July 2024.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department has regular discussions with businesses and universities on a range of issues.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of raising employer’s National Insurance Contributions on (a) trends in the level of recruitment and (b) the provision of care in the social care sector.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 4 July, the Government inherited public finances that were in their worst state since the Second World War. We have considered the cost pressures facing adult social care as part of the wider consideration of local government spending within the Spending Review process.

In response to these pressures, the Government is providing at least £600 million of new grant funding for social care in 2025/26, as part of the broader estimated real-terms uplift to core local government spending power of approximately 3.2%. We will continue to work with the adult social care sector to understand the pressures on adult social care delivery and local authority budgets.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to produce a domestic research strategy for space weather.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with businesses on the Government's approach to research into (a) space weather and (b) its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with universities on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with ARIA on support for research into space weather since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council on its approach to supporting research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had since with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council on its approach to supporting research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Arts and Humanities Research Council on its approach to supporting research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with UK Research and Innovation on their approach to research into (a) space weather and (b) its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Innovate UK on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Research England on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Natural Environment Research Council on its approach to support research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Economic and Social Research Council on its approach to supporting research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Medical Research Council on its approach to supporting research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Science and Technology Facilities Council on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of AI regulation for UK research into space weather and its consequences.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of AI on UK research into space weather and its consequences.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Geospatial Commission on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

None

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of UK research into space weather and its consequences on domestic cybersecurity.

Answered by Chris Bryant - 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.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on when each concrete section of the M25 within Runnymede and Weybridge constituency is expected to reach the end of its serviceable life.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The precise dates for treatment of individual sections will be determined based on regular monitoring of the condition of the carriageway. National Highways plans to give priority to treatments within the Noise Important Areas (NIA) identified by Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) which have not already benefitted from some noise mitigation.

Next Generation Concrete Surfacing is the second phase in the treatment of the M25 concrete sections to improve the condition and reduce noise. The first phase is the reinstatement of the transverse joints between the concrete slabs to their original width and profile.

National Highways plan to undertake works in two NIAs (1286 and 1287) with the first phase starting from February 2025 until March 2026, the second phase of works will be delivered using the next generation concrete surfacing during the 2026/27 financial year with the final phase being completed between junction 9 and 11 by end of 2029.

In regard to the question on the location of NIAs, there are nine identified NIAs within Runnymede and Weybridge constituency, these are:

Lastly, the concrete carriageway on the M25 within the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency remains in good structural condition and will not require full replacement within the next 30 years. During that time work may be required to individual slabs, to reinstate joints and to restore the surface texture.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with National Highways on when each concrete section of the M25 within the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency will be treated with next generation concrete surfacing.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The precise dates for treatment of individual sections will be determined based on regular monitoring of the condition of the carriageway. National Highways plans to give priority to treatments within the Noise Important Areas (NIA) identified by Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) which have not already benefitted from some noise mitigation.

Next Generation Concrete Surfacing is the second phase in the treatment of the M25 concrete sections to improve the condition and reduce noise. The first phase is the reinstatement of the transverse joints between the concrete slabs to their original width and profile.

National Highways plan to undertake works in two NIAs (1286 and 1287) with the first phase starting from February 2025 until March 2026, the second phase of works will be delivered using the next generation concrete surfacing during the 2026/27 financial year with the final phase being completed between junction 9 and 11 by end of 2029.

In regard to the question on the location of NIAs, there are nine identified NIAs within Runnymede and Weybridge constituency, these are:

Lastly, the concrete carriageway on the M25 within the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency remains in good structural condition and will not require full replacement within the next 30 years. During that time work may be required to individual slabs, to reinstate joints and to restore the surface texture.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many noise important areas of the M25 there are within the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency; and what the location is of each.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The precise dates for treatment of individual sections will be determined based on regular monitoring of the condition of the carriageway. National Highways plans to give priority to treatments within the Noise Important Areas (NIA) identified by Department for Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) which have not already benefitted from some noise mitigation.

Next Generation Concrete Surfacing is the second phase in the treatment of the M25 concrete sections to improve the condition and reduce noise. The first phase is the reinstatement of the transverse joints between the concrete slabs to their original width and profile.

National Highways plan to undertake works in two NIAs (1286 and 1287) with the first phase starting from February 2025 until March 2026, the second phase of works will be delivered using the next generation concrete surfacing during the 2026/27 financial year with the final phase being completed between junction 9 and 11 by end of 2029.

In regard to the question on the location of NIAs, there are nine identified NIAs within Runnymede and Weybridge constituency, these are:

Lastly, the concrete carriageway on the M25 within the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency remains in good structural condition and will not require full replacement within the next 30 years. During that time work may be required to individual slabs, to reinstate joints and to restore the surface texture.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Horizon Europe on UK-based research into (a) space weather and (b) its consequences since July 2024.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Space research in Horizon Europe is covered under Pillar 2, in the cluster ‘Digital, Industry and Space’. DSIT encourages UK researchers to take part in the available funding opportunities to support international cooperation.

The EU has restricted the participation of associated countries in a small part of the programme, which includes some calls focused on space technology. DSIT is working constructively with the EU to address these restrictions. We do not pay for areas in which we do not participate.

Making Horizon Europe association a success is DSIT’s priority and DSIT is working to boost UK participation and remove barriers to international R&D collaborations.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment has he made of potential opportunities for research into (a) space weather and (b) its consequences through Horizon Europe.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Space research in Horizon Europe is covered under Pillar 2, in the cluster ‘Digital, Industry and Space’. DSIT encourages UK researchers to take part in the available funding opportunities to support international cooperation.

The EU has restricted the participation of associated countries in a small part of the programme, which includes some calls focused on space technology. DSIT is working constructively with the EU to address these restrictions. We do not pay for areas in which we do not participate.

Making Horizon Europe association a success is DSIT’s priority and DSIT is working to boost UK participation and remove barriers to international R&D collaborations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure consistency of the supply of medication for (a) epilepsy and b) Parkinson's disease patients.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, some issues, including with some carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine presentations, have been resolved.

There was a supply issue with all strengths of lamotrigine tablets, used to manage epilepsy, due to manufacturing issues. The supply issue has recently resolved, and supply is expected to return to normal levels through early December 2024.

We are aware of an ongoing supply issue with all strengths of topiramate tablets, with the resupply date to be confirmed. Other manufacturers of topiramate tablets can meet the increased demand during this time.

The Department is aware of supply constraints with one supplier of amantadine 100 milligram capsules, used in the management of Parkinson’s disease, however stocks remain available from alternative suppliers to cover this demand.

The Department continues to work closely with industry, the National Health Service, and others to help ensure patients continue to have access to an alternative treatment until their usual product is back in stock.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the total amount of Government investment into type 1 diabetes disease research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the government committed £17.2 million funding for Type 1 Diabetes research in 2023 and 2024 (and includes funding from the Horizon Europe Guarantee). £8.3 million of this is through UKRI’s Medical Research Council funding, which includes research into novel diagnostic technology, cell replacement and pancreatic biology as well as research into foot ulcers and diabetic neuropathy.

The Department of Health and Social Care funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR spent £5.2 million on Type 1 Diabetes in 2023-24.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the total amount of Government investment into chronic kidney disease research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) the government committed £8.9 million for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in 2023 and 2024 is £8.9m. £5.8 million of this is through UKRI’s Medical Research Council funding, which includes research into CKD after pregnancy complications, rare genetic diseases and cardiovascular disease as well as discovering new therapies to treat CKD.

The Department of Health and Social Care funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR spent £13.4m on Chronic Kidney Diseases in 2023-24.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the UKRI on their approach to support research into food biosecurity since July 2024.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

I refer the Hon Member to the reply I gave in UIN 16568

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for Tribunal cases to be heard for (a) Social Security and Child Support, (b) Immigration and Asylum and (c) SEN appeals.

Answered by Sarah Sackman - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)

We are working to reduce the outstanding caseload in the Social Entitlement Chamber, the Immigration and Asylum Chamber and the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal. Reducing outstanding caseloads is the key measure to bringing down the waiting times for tribunal hearings.

HMCTS continues to invest in improving tribunal productivity through the recruitment of additional Judges, deployment of Legal Officers to actively manage cases, the development of modern case management systems and the use of remote hearing technology as appropriate. If an expedited hearing is requested, a Judge or Legal Officer will make a decision on that issue, taking all the circumstances into account.

The Ministry of Justice has recently undertaken a comprehensive review of civil legal aid and, having considered the evidence collected, we acknowledge that the sector is facing a number of challenges. We are committed to improving the experience of users and providers and, as an important first step towards this, we intend to consult on uplifts to housing and immigration legal aid fees in January 2025.

This Government wants a justice system that is effective, efficient, and sustainable, and this funding boost is an important step towards that.

Data on Tribunals performance is published by the Ministry of Justice on a quarterly basis. Receipts, disposals and the outstanding caseload for individual Chambers in the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal, the Employment Tribunal and the Employment Appeal Tribunal can be found at the link below: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tribunals-statistics.