Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what total value of AI-related contracts has been awarded by all Government departments since July 2024; and what proportion has gone to (a) UK-headquartered firms and (b) firms headquartered outside the UK.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Details of central government contracts above £12,000 for procurements commenced before 24 February 2025 are published on Contracts Finder (https://www.gov.uk/contracts-finder).
Contracts procured under the Procurement Act 2023 above £12,000 inc VAT are published on the Central Digital Platform Find a Tender service. This includes a note of the winning supplier. (https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Search).
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how she will measure UKRI progress in meeting priority areas and outcomes of the UKRI AI Research and Innovation Strategic Framework; and how Parliament will be updated on this.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) AI Research and Innovation Strategic Framework, published on 19 February 2026, sets out six priority action areas and associated outcomes to 2031.
UKRI will measure progress through the framework’s delivery plan, which it will publish and update regularly, and through its existing performance framework, including a quarterly, balanced scorecard and annual review. In line with UKRI’s commitment to advance knowledge, improve lives and drive growth, DSIT will work closely with UKRI to ensure that metrics include how the department is contributing to growth, the UK Industrial Strategy and other government priorities. Parliament will be updated through the normal accountability routes, including UKRI’s Annual Report and Accounts, which will be laid in Parliament, and responses to Parliamentary Questions.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will provide an update on the latest formal negotiations with the US on the UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal; and whether a date for further formal negotiation meetings has been set.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The United States is our close ally and tech partner, and we are committed to ensuring that bond delivers real benefits for hardworking people on both sides of the Atlantic.
As the Prime Minister has stated, we are in daily contact with all the key figures in the US administration. We continue to have regular discussions with the US administration on resuming work on the Technology Prosperity Deal and to shape the emerging technologies of the future. This includes discussions on future governance and delivery timelines for the joint initiatives under the Deal.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will provide an update on the establishment and membership of a ministerial-level working group as set out in the MOU for the UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The United States is our close ally and tech partner, and we are committed to ensuring that bond delivers real benefits for hardworking people on both sides of the Atlantic.
As the Prime Minister has stated, we are in daily contact with all the key figures in the US administration. We continue to have regular discussions with the US administration on resuming work on the Technology Prosperity Deal and to shape the emerging technologies of the future. This includes discussions on future governance and delivery timelines for the joint initiatives under the Deal.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with her US counterparts on the resumption of negotiations on the UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The United States is our close ally and tech partner, and we are committed to ensuring that bond delivers real benefits for hardworking people on both sides of the Atlantic.
As the Prime Minister has stated, we are in daily contact with all the key figures in the US administration. Alongside Cabinet colleagues, we continue to have regular discussions with the US administration, including on resuming work on the Technology Prosperity Deal and continue shaping the emerging technologies of the future.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the resumption of negotiations on the UK-US Tech Prosperity Deal.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The United States is our close ally and tech partner, and we are committed to ensuring that bond delivers real benefits for hardworking people on both sides of the Atlantic.
As the Prime Minister has stated, we are in daily contact with all the key figures in the US administration. Alongside Cabinet colleagues, we continue to have regular discussions with the US administration, including on resuming work on the Technology Prosperity Deal and continue shaping the emerging technologies of the future.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with the life sciences sector on the application of VAT on medicines supplied free-of-charge via EAMS and other compassionate access schemes.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology regularly engages with representatives of the life sciences sector. The issue of the application of VAT on medicines supplied free-of-charge via Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) and other compassionate access schemes has been raised with Ministers.
Application of VAT is determined on a case-by-case basis depending on the nature of the supply. This includes medicines or treatments provided for free under the EAMS.
In certain circumstances the giving of goods away for free can be outside the scope of VAT. Where the supply is within the scope of VAT a relief may apply, meaning the supply can be made VAT free.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the impact of (a) VAT and (b) other taxation on the viability of the life sciences sector.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Secretary of State has regular engagement with relevant colleagues on the UK business environment for life sciences sector, to drive the growth of the sector and support the delivery of the Life Sciences Sector Plan.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to publish her Department's response to the consultation entitled Draft regulations to commence Sections 61 to 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, which was published on 7 May 2025.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
As per the commitment made in the Written Ministerial Statement on 21 July 2025, on 15 December 2025 the Department made regulations implementing Sections 61 – 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 and published its response to the consultation which ran earlier this year.
The regulations will come into force on 7 April 2026.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether it is still her Department’s policy to finalise s61-64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022, relating to renewal agreements, by the end of 2025.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
As per the commitment made in the Written Ministerial Statement on 21 July 2025, on 15 December 2025 the Department made regulations implementing Sections 61 – 64 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 and published its response to the consultation which ran earlier this year.
The regulations will come into force on 7 April 2026.