Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the UK Science and Technology Framework, what steps he is taking to integrate the five critical technologies into the government’s modern industrial strategy.

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

The Invest 2035 Green Paper, published on 14 October 2024, set out eight growth-driving sectors that will drive our Industrial Strategy. The Industrial Strategy, alongside Sector Plans for the growth-driving sectors, will be published in late Spring 2025. It is being designed in partnership with business, devolved governments, regions, and other stakeholders, as well as building on existing evidence gathered under the science and technology framework.

The Government is reviewing the growth-enabling role of technologies including quantum, artificial intelligence, engineering biology, semiconductors and future telecoms across the Industrial Strategy.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether it remains his policy to invest £2 billion over 10 years in engineering biology.

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

The government remains committed to supporting the UK Engineering Biology sector. DSIT will set out its spending plans in line with the Spending Review timelines set by HM Treasury, with departmental funding settlements being announced in the Spring

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what his Department's target is for nuclear capacity in gigawatts by (a) 2030, (b) 2040 and (c) 2050.

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

Nuclear power currently provides ca. 15% of the UK’s electricity (6GW). As the current fleet retires, the Clean Power Action Plan anticipates a drop in capacity to 3-4GW in 2030.

We see nuclear as an important part of the mix going forward and are pushing ahead with building new nuclear. We have committed to getting Hinkley Point C over the line and will take final decisions on Sizewell C and the Great British Nuclear-led Small Modular Reactor programme at the Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent members of staff in his Department work on supporting (a) advanced and (b) small modular nuclear reactors.

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

Advanced nuclear policy which includes Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs) is administered by the Net Zero, Nuclear, and International (NZNI) Group within the Department. This includes an advanced nuclear policy function, a sponsorship interface with Great British Nuclear, which is delivering the SMR competition for UK deployment, and a science and innovation function as part of the Department’s wider Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. While staff numbers will fluctuate in accordance with Department priorities, as of January 2025, the team is made up of c.50 officials. The Department's activities are also supported by independent technical experts.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2024 to Question 18934 on Government Departments: ICT, which companies were contracted to provide IT services after consideration of spend requests against the Digital Assurance Gateway.

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

Contracts awarded for the activities in scope for Question 18934 as at the time of providing this response include Microsoft, Convergence/Extreme, Objective, IBM, Dextrous Web/Thoughtworks, Kerv, AWS and IBL.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 20 December 2024 to Question 18934 on Government Departments: ICT, what the total value of the spend requests considered against the Digital Assurance Gateway is; and what the average time taken to consider them was.

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

The total value of the spend requests considered for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology and its Arm’s Length Bodies against the Digital Assurance Gateway as at the date of answering question 18934 was £98.2m. Consideration against the Gateway has been incorporated into a pre-existing weekly liaison meeting between Integrated Corporate Services and the Central Digital and Data Office and is dealt with via short discussions.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Government’ press release of 25 September 2024 entitled PM tells US investors Britain is open for business as he secured major £10 billion deal to drive growth and create jobs, what the evidential basis is that the investment in the Blyth data centre will create 4,000 jobs.

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

Northumberland County Council expect this project to deliver over 1,600 direct jobs, including 1,200 long-term construction jobs, and over 2,700 indirect and induced jobs over the course of the development.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Intellectual Property Office publication entitled Standard Essential Patents: 2024 forward look, published on 27 February 2024, what his planned timetable is for the launch of the public technical consultation.

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

The Government recognises the importance of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) to the UK economy and the objectives published in February 2024 continue to underpin the Intellectual Property Office’s (IPO) work. Delivering against those objectives, the IPO launched its SEPs Resource Hub on 22 July 2024 to help UK small and medium enterprises navigate the SEPs ecosystem.

The IPO continues to consider options that could help improve the functioning of the SEPs ecosystem. Any options requiring regulatory change would be part of a full, formal consultation. A final decision on holding a consultation would rest with Ministers.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to reform the regulation of Standard Essential Patents to support innovation and growth among UK technology small and medium enterprises.

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

The Government recognises the importance of Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) to the UK economy and the objectives published in February 2024 continue to underpin the Intellectual Property Office’s (IPO) work. Delivering against those objectives, the IPO launched its SEPs Resource Hub on 22 July 2024 to help UK small and medium enterprises navigate the SEPs ecosystem.

The IPO continues to consider options that could help improve the functioning of the SEPs ecosystem. Any options requiring regulatory change would be part of a full, formal consultation. A final decision on holding a consultation would rest with Ministers.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many and what proportion of full-time equivalent members of staff in Great British Nuclear work on the UK’s small modular reactor programme.

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

Great British Nuclear is driving forward its small modular reactor competition for UK deployment. To deliver on this mission, GBN has grown rapidly as an organisation and as of January 2025, GBN has c.145 FTE in total, of which c.90 FTE are focused directly on delivering the SMR programme.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Full government response to the Lord O'Shaughnessy review into commercial clinical trials, published on 8 December 2023, if he will publish an assessment of progress on implementing the review’s recommendations.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne

The Department is committed to implementing recommendations from the Lord O'Shaughnessy independent review of commercial clinical trials in full, in order to maximise our potential to be a world leader and develop a more competitive, efficient, and accessible clinical research system.

The Department will publish progress against the commitments, aiming to align with the upcoming publication of the 10-Year Health Plan.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the planned timetable is for the UK National Screening Committee review of its advice on screening for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Answered by Andrew Gwynne

The UK National Screening Committee last reviewed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in 2018, and recommended against a national screening programme for three reasons:

• the lack of an accurate test to detect the condition at an early stage;
• it is not known if medicines for COPD are effective in people with mild symptoms; and
• the best treatment for early COPD is to stop smoking, but people with few or no symptoms may not be willing to do this.

The Secretariat hopes to be able to commission a further evidence update within the next three years.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21309 on River Tyne: Bridges, what responsibilities the Port of Tyne has for (a) the navigability of the River Tyne and (b) the Swing Bridge.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The department has not engaged specifically with the Port of Tyne on this issue as it is a matter for the port and/or other local parties. The specific areas of responsibility of the Port of Tyne, and other parties, for navigational purposes and the Swing Bridge will be set out in the relevant local harbours act, or other local agreements. The specifics of these will be best understood and discussed with the Port of Tyne itself.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2024 to Question 23744 on UK Research and Innovation: Staff, whether Innovate UK has made an assessment of the value for money of business growth advisors funded by Innovate UK.

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

UKRI continuously evaluates the impact of investments across its portfolio to ensure value for money and effectiveness. Innovate UK Business Growth, which includes the business growth advisors, has been independently evaluated multiple times since its inception in 2015, consistently demonstrating overall benefits. For example, the latest evaluation of the scaleup programme found a return on investment of 10:1. The overall remit, size and scope of the service has continued to evolve to respond to evolving demands and market conditions. We are reviewing all the support Innovate UK offers businesses to ensure it is as effective as possible at driving economic growth.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 January 2025 to Question 21309 on River Tyne: Bridges, if she will meet the Port of Tyne to discuss the Swing Bridge.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The department engages actively with many UK ports, including the Port of Tyne. However, the department has not engaged specifically with the Port of Tyne on this issue as it is a matter for the port and/or other local parties.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of skills within the Civil Service to effectively regulate self-driving vehicles.

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

Responsibility for new self-driving vehicle regulatory processes will be aligned with the Department for Transport’s executive agencies’ existing responsibilities for conventional vehicles, ensuring effective use of their expertise around vehicles regulation.

As part of the Department’s preparations for implementing the future automated vehicles (AVs) regulatory framework, we are also examining what new skills will be required for the regulation of AVs. This includes considerations of skills around artificial intelligence, vehicle safety, and data expertise among other areas.

The Department for Transport also works with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to understand best practice skills development across other future technology sectors.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the AI Opportunities Action Plan, published on 13 January 2025, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the alignment between the plan and other Government policies on the deployment of self-driving vehicles.

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

The Department for Transport supported the development of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, including providing contributions on the policy intentions for the deployment of self-driving vehicles. The Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, a joint unit between the Department for Transport and Department for Business and Trade, works closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology to help realise the UK’s full potential as an AI superpower.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential benefits and disbenefits for (a) prospective and (b) current students of international student recruitment agencies operating in the UK.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The government welcomes international students, who enrich our university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with our domestic students and make a significant economic contribution to the UK.

Higher education (HE) providers are autonomous institutions, which have the choice to use education recruitment agents when recruiting international students. Agents provide valuable services including marketing, promotion and support in identifying qualified students.

The department is working with the Home Office to ensure that education recruitment agents meet the needs of prospective and current international students. This will include requiring HE providers who use them to adhere to the stringent Agent Quality Framework, a code of practice developed by the HE sector which sets out overarching principles for how providers should manage their commercial arrangements with agents.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the pause to the applications process for new entrants to the connections queue from 29 January 2025 announced by the National Energy Systems Operator on 15 January 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of this decision on (a) data centre projects and (b) energy-intensive infrastructure projects.

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

The short pause on connection applications is a necessary, transitional step in delivering fundamental connections reforms that, if approved by Ofgem, could reduce the connections queue by up to half and will enable accelerated connections for many generation and demand projects. The pause does not apply to demand projects and therefore will not impact data centre or energy-intensive infrastructure projects.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the AI Opportunities Action Plan, published on 13 January 2025, whether the plan will help support the introduction of regulations on UK-based self-driving vehicle companies.

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

The 2025 AI Opportunities Action Plan (the Plan) supports the introduction of regulations on UK-based self-driving vehicle companies. The Plan notes the role self-driving vehicles play in contributing to the UK’s position as an AI superpower, including UK AI company Wayve securing over $1 billion investment to develop the next generation of AI-powered self-driving vehicles in 2024.

Following Royal Assent of the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, our world-leading work on the safe implementation of automated vehicles on our roads presses ahead with a suite of consultations to enable implementation of the AV regulatory framework in 2027. The AV implementation timeline is designed to prioritise the development of a regulatory framework that maximises innovation, public safety and strengthens public confidence. Alongside developing our domestic regulations, we are playing a leading role in work to harmonise international rules on self-driving, which will enable our companies to export globally. This work is anticipated to complete in early 2027.

We are considering options as to possible routes to enabling advanced trialling and early commercial pilots to be deployed in advance of full implementation of the AV Act, working with industry to explore what they need and how to deliver this within existing legislation. We've established an industry working group to help facilitate this.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what her Department's timeline is for making autonomous vehicles commercially available for use on UK roads.

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

Following Royal Assent of the Automated Vehicles (AV) Act, our world-leading work on the safe implementation of automated vehicles on our road’s presses ahead with a suite of consultations to enable implementation of the AV regulatory framework in 2027. The AV implementation timeline is designed to prioritise the development of a regulatory framework that maximises innovation, public safety and strengthens public confidence. Alongside developing our domestic regulations, we are playing a leading role in work to harmonise international rules on self-driving, which will enable our companies to export globally. This work is anticipated to complete in early 2027.

We are considering options as to possible routes to enabling advanced trialling and early commercial pilots to be deployed in advance of full implementation of the AV Act, working with industry to explore what they need and how to deliver this within existing legislation. We've established an industry working group to help facilitate this.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2024 to Question 23744 on UK Research and Innovation: Staff, how many business growth advisors operate in each region.

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

The funding for IUK Business Growth core advisory activities for 2024-25 is £41.8m, servicing approximately 10,000 innovative businesses a year with light touch Growth, or more intensive High Growth/Scaling support, this data is published as part of Innovate UK’s “Transparency data”.

The Business Growth advisors (Full Time Equivalent) per region is as per the table below, the group marked national work cross-regionally:

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2024 to Question 23744 on UK Research and Innovation: Staff, how much funding Innovate UK has allocated for business growth advisors in the 2024-25 financial year.

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

The funding for IUK Business Growth core advisory activities for 2024-25 is £41.8m, servicing approximately 10,000 innovative businesses a year with light touch Growth, or more intensive High Growth/Scaling support, this data is published as part of Innovate UK’s “Transparency data”.

The Business Growth advisors (Full Time Equivalent) per region is as per the table below, the group marked national work cross-regionally:

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made an assessment of the (a) resilience and (b) reliability of cloud services, in the context of its plans to designate cloud services as Critical National Infrastructure.

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

The Government process for designating infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) requires an assessment of the sector’s resilience, and its reliability, in performing its essential function to society and the economy. This was assessed prior to the designation of cloud infrastructure as CNI in September 2024.

Cloud computing services have also been subject to the security requirements of the Network & Information Systems (NIS) Regulations since 2018 and are subject to ongoing oversight by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). This will be further strengthened by the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, which will give the ICO additional regulatory powers for the sector.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential strategic value of OneWeb for supporting Ukraine.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The UK has provided a significant number of communication systems to Ukraine, including satellite-based systems, many of which have been integrated into a range of military capabilities. We have considered OneWeb as part of our support package, but, to date, we have not provided OneWeb systems to Ukraine.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine are specific on the communications systems they require, and their requests have focussed on different satellite systems. Our support remains agile, and we could switch towards more Satellite communications systems, including OneWeb, if that was deemed a higher priority.

Found: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Members present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington;

Found: 14 January 2025 1 Chi Onwurah

Found: Written evidence submitted by Mr Dan Morris (IGR0022) Dear Chi Onwurah, MP The West of England is home

Found: With best wishes, Chi Onwurah MP Chair – Science, Innovation and Technology Committee

Found: Current membership Chi Onwurah (Labour; Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West) (Chair) Emily Darlington

Found: Beeston Chair, Communications and Digital Select Committee House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW Chi Onwurah

Found: Chi Onwurah MP Chair, Science, Innovation and Technology Committee

Found: State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Chi Onwurah

Found: Secretary of State Department for Energy Security & Net Zero 55 Whitehall London SW1A 2HP Chi Onwurah

Found: 100 Parliament Street London SW1A 2BQ E: Secretary.State@dsit.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/dsit Chi Onwurah

Found: With best wishes, Chi Onwurah MP Chair – Science, Innovation and Technology Committee

Found: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Members present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington;

Found: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Members present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington;

Found: Parliament Street London SW1A 2BQ E: Secretary.State@dsit.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/dsit Chi Onwurah

Found: 1 HM Treasury, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Chi Onwurah MP Chair – Science, Innovation

Found: Beeston Chair, Communications and Digital Select Committee House of Lords, London, SW1A 0PW Chi Onwurah

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington; Dr Allison Gardner; Jon Pearce

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Chi Onwurah (Chair); Emily Darlington; Dr Allison Gardner; Jon Pearce

Found: Hayes Dame Meg Hillier Simon Hoare Sir Bernard Jenkin Ruth Jones Layla Moran Jessica Morden Chi Onwurah

Found: Watch the meeting Science, Innovation and Technology Committee members present: Chi Onwurah (Chair);

Found: Watch the meeting Science, Innovation and Technology Committee members present: Chi Onwurah (Chair);

Found: (CON) • Rt Hon the Lord Vaizey of Didcot (CON) • Rt Hon the Baroness Neville-Jones (CON) • Chi Onwurah

Found: (CON) • Rt Hon the Lord Vaizey of Didcot (CON) • Rt Hon the Baroness Neville-Jones (CON) • Chi Onwurah

Found: 100 Parliament Street London SW1A 2BQ E: Secretary.State@dsit.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/dsit Chi Onwurah

Found: Letter dated 15/01/2025 from Chris Bryant MP to Chi Onwurah MP and Baroness Brown of Cambridge regarding

Found: Letter dated 15/01/2025 from Chris Bryant MP to Chi Onwurah MP and Baroness Brown of Cambridge regarding

Found: Letter dated 15/01/2025 from Chris Bryant MP to Chi Onwurah MP and Baroness Brown of Cambridge regarding

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Following the general election, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced plans to become the “digital centre of government”. It was also confirmed that the Government Digital Service, Central Digital and Data Office and Incubator for Artificial Intelligence would move from the Cabinet Office into DSIT, to “unite efforts in the digital transformation of public services under one department”.