Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether any of the £100 million for the AI Biosecurity Lab announced on 24 October 2026 is drawn from the £115 million that the Defence Investment Plan states DSIT will spend to strengthen defences against the risks of AI.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
Yes. The £100 million committed to the AI Biosecurity Lab forms part of the £115 million committed to strengthen the UK’s defences against risks arising from advanced AI, including the use of AI to improve biosecurity.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the budget of the AI Security Institute is in each financial year from 2026-27 to 2029-30 including the additional £120 million announced on 24 October 2026.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
The AI Security Institute (AISI) has been allocated £360 million from 2026-27 to 2029-30. This includes the additional £120 million over 2026-27 to 2029-30 announced at Budget 2026, on top of the £240 million set out in my response of 15 October 2026 to PQ 33991. The additional funding will strengthen the UK’s frontier AI evaluation and testing capability and support the development of technical standards to ensure risks are mitigated.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2026 to Question 36255, how does AISI decide which models count as 'frontier or near frontier'.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
The AI Security Institute (AISI) does not apply a fixed threshold. It uses the term for models where testing is most likely to change our understanding of emerging AI capabilities and risks. AISI evaluates this on a case-by-case basis and reviews its approach regularly as the technology develops. Through its trusted relationships with the world's leading AI developers, AISI continues to ensure its evaluations focus on the models that matter most.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether a grid connection date has been offered for the Nscale Loughton development.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The existence and terms of individual electricity network connection agreements, including connection dates, are commercial matters between customers and the relevant network companies.
It is not appropriate for the Government to comment on the details of individual commercial agreements.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what regulatory framework and funding options will help reduce rainwater from entering the foul sewer system in the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency.
Answered by Emma Hardy - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The National Planning Policy Framework already requires sustainable drainage systems in all new developments. As part of wider reforms to the water sector, we will go further to enable pre-pipe solutions to reduce the volume of rainwater entering the sewerage network.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether the AI Opportunities Unit has been abolished.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 October to question UIN 32087.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, which of the five AI Growth Zones have planning consent in place.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
I refer the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge to the answer on 23 October 2025 to Question 30877.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether the Government has made an assessment of the potential cost to UK businesses of aligning with the EU Cloud and AI Development Act.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
The EU Cloud and AI Development Act (CADA) proposes draft measures which are going through the EU legislative process for amendments. We are working with like-minded partners across the EU to ensure the final outcome guarantees continued access to Europe’s digital markets
The costs for companies aligning with the sovereignty requirements in CADA will depend on the final proposals, which we expect to see in 2027.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 26 October 2026 to Question 32092 on Artificial Intelligence: Economic Growth, how the central adoption estimate was derived.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
I refer the Rt. hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 October to question UIN 30469.
Asked by: Ben Spencer (Conservative - Runnymede and Weybridge)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what discussions her Department has had with (a) the Government Digital Service, (b) Government Cyber Unit, and (c) the National Cyber Security Centre on its procurement of AI products, models, and services.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Digital function engages with the Government Digital Service and relevant cross-government cyber security bodies as part of its governance and assurance arrangements for digital, data and AI technologies. Procurement and adoption of AI products, models and services is subject to appropriate digital, commercial, security, data and architecture controls. This includes alignment with cross-government AI and digital standards, Government Cyber Unit security requirements and National Cyber Security Centre guidance, including Secure by Design principles.