Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what equality impact assessment was carried out before awarding the Nexus AI contract to IBM; and what safeguards are in place to prevent algorithmic bias in those AI tools used in benefits administration.
Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) was not undertaken at the point of award of the Nexus contract. Nexus is a call-off contract with a broad scope which, of itself, does not directly introduce defined services or functionality into live operations. EIAs are undertaken at the appropriate point for individual projects delivered through the contract, prior to being deployed into live services.
The Department for Work and Pensions has a legal requirement to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, using tools such as Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) and fairness assessments to highlight any potential bias or discrimination risks associated with AI and automation.
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 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will make an assessment of potential conflict of interest associated with the former US Ambassador and companies referenced in the investments announced during US state visit in September 2025.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Hon. Member to the Government's response to the Urgent Question tabled on 12 February, the Written Ministerial Statement in the name of the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister that same day, and Oral Statement on the 23 February which set out an update on the Government's process. We will set out further details in due course. The Government wishes to ensure that Parliament's instruction is met with the urgency and transparency that it deserves.
Asked by: Julia Lopez (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to her Department's consultation outcome entitled Summary of responses and government response, updated on 12 June 2025, on fairer food labelling, what recent progress her Department has made on the method of production labelling reform.
Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As set out in the Government’s animal welfare strategy, we are committed to ensuring that consumers have access to clear information on how their food was produced. To support this, the Government will continue working with relevant stakeholders, including the farming and food industry, scientists and NGOs to explore how improved animal welfare food labelling could provide greater consumer transparency, support farmers and promote better animal welfare. The Government will set out next steps in due course.
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 Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps her Department is taking to facilitate public sector access to Artificial Intelligence expertise through procurement; and how the Government Commercial Agency will (a) identify, (b) accredit and (c) engage individuals and organisations that supply Artificial Intelligence expertise.
Answered by Chris Ward - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) facilitates public sector access to Artificial Intelligence (AI) expertise primarily through the AI Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). This agreement provides a flexible route for the public sector to procure AI services from a range of specialist suppliers.
CCS manages flexible commercial agreements that regularly engage the market and encourage new suppliers to join. To be admitted, all providers must demonstrate that they meet the required standards and assessment criteria, ensuring high-quality expertise is available across the public sector.
Until the Government Commercial Agency is established, these functions will continue to be led by CCS.