Asked by: Sadik Al-Hassan (Labour - North Somerset)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department’s policies of the study undertaken by the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Bath, published on 5 September 2025.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government is committed to tackling the supply of illegal drugs. We are taking a coordinated approach to tackle harmful online content, including material associated with vapes containing illegal drugs. This combines law enforcement activity, education, and also measures compelling online platforms to act.
To this end, the illegal sale of drugs is a priority offence under the illegal content duties in the Online Safety Act 2023.Ofcom is closely monitoring compliance with the regime. The National Crime Agency also works with partners in the UK and internationally to identify offenders operating online, and to take down UK-based sites committing offences.
Asked by: Sadik Al-Hassan (Labour - North Somerset)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on protecting children from the potential impacts of excessive use of smartphones.
Answered by Feryal Clark
Creating a safer online world is a priority for the government and we are focused on implementing the Online Safety Act so that children can benefit from its wide-reaching protections.
The Government is reviewing the evidence base on children’s smartphone use, social media and their wellbeing.
DSIT works closely with other government departments on a range of online safety matters with work on child online safety being a particular priority across government.
Asked by: Sadik Al-Hassan (Labour - North Somerset)
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 help improve mobile network signal in North Somerset constituency.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
I have asked Ofcom to check their figures, but according to them, 94% of the constituency has 4G geographic coverage from all four mobile operators, while 5G is available outside 96% of premises from at least one operator. The government’s ambition is for all populated areas, including rural communities, to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030.
We are working with industry and Ofcom to ensure we have the right policy and regulatory framework to support investment in this crucial infrastructure.