Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure co-ordination between the National Data Centre Strategy, the AI Opportunities Action Plan, and the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

DSIT is working with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to champion and support data centre growth that reflects energy system capacity, decarbonisation objectives, and wider infrastructure constraints. This approach ensures that AI development, digital infrastructure investment, and clean energy delivery are pursued in a complementary and mutually reinforcing way. Specifically, through the AI Energy Council, DSIT and DESNZ are also exploring how to meet the future energy demands of AI and data centres in a way that is resilient, sustainable, and scalable.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential of behind-the-meter self-generation, on-site storage, and private wire arrangements at data centre and AI campuses to alleviate projected grid power shortfalls.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

DSIT is working closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ofgem, and the National Energy System Operator to ensure that any policy interventions support both the timely connection of strategically important projects and the development of low-carbon power supply.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate her Department has made of the cumulative power and water demand arising from announced and pipeline AI Growth Zones and hyperscale data centre developments through to 2035.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The expansion of AI infrastructure is critical to the UK's long-term economic growth, resilience, and global competitiveness. We are working closely with industry, the National Energy System Operator, DESNZ, Ofgem, DEFRA, and the Environment Agency to improve our understanding of the impacts of future demand.

AI Growth Zone applicants are required to detail their water plans and provide confirmation of feasibility from the relevant water supplier. Data Centre Developers progressing through the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime must assess impacts on water resources as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment and supporting documentation, and national planning policy embeds consideration of sustainable water use and resource efficiency in decision making.

Through the AI Energy Council, co-chaired by the Secretaries of State for DSIT and DESNZ, we are also exploring how to meet the future energy demands of AI and data centres in a way that is resilient, sustainable, and scalable.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what stage of preparation the national rollout of the online parenting interventions project contained within the Best Start in Life strategy has reached.

Answered by Olivia Bailey

The government set out its commitment to a national digital parenting offer in the Best Start in Life Strategy, published on 7 July 2025. This sits alongside wider investment of over £500 million in the national rollout of Best Start Family Hubs.

Work to engage potential suppliers has taken place. The government is now considering delivery options for the digital parenting programme, with further details to be announced in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she plans to publish the national digital parenting programme.

Answered by Olivia Bailey

The government set out its commitment to a national digital parenting offer in the Best Start in Life Strategy, published on 7 July 2025. This sits alongside wider investment of over £500 million in the national rollout of Best Start Family Hubs.

Work to engage potential suppliers has taken place. The government is now considering delivery options for the digital parenting programme, with further details to be announced in due course.

Found: Hopkins MP as Assistant Whip Harpreet Uppal MP as Assistant Whip Michael Wheeler MP as Assistant Whip Liam Conlon

Found: Hopkins MP as Assistant Whip Harpreet Uppal MP as Assistant Whip Michael Wheeler MP as Assistant Whip Liam Conlon