Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department has to (a) reduce duplication in digital services and (b) consolidate departmental platforms.

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

The Government is committed to delivering more joined up public services, reducing duplication, and developing modern digital public infrastructure that will make public organisations more integrated. Thousands of teams across the public sector are already using our world-leading digital components such as GOV.UK Notify, Pay and Design System.

The Government will establish a ‘once only’ rule, so that if people have provided information to one service, it can be reused by others with appropriate safeguards. It will start with central government services and commonly reused data, but be designed to scale over time to the broader public sector and more information.

The Government has also committed to introducing a Digital Backbone: the integration, orchestration and instrumentation technology needed to share capabilities and build true end-to-end journeys.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with private sector technology providers on the (a) development and (b) scaling of (i) the GOV.UK application and (ii) supporting infrastructure.

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

The GOV.UK app has been developed in-house by a multi-disciplinary Government Digital Service (GDS) led team. We are committed to iterative development and improvements, and to working in the open - a core part of the GDS culture. We're actively learning, improving, and expanding what the app can do.

The government remains committed to collaborating with industry experts to ensure that digital services are secure, efficient, and able to meet the evolving needs of users across the UK.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment he has made of the potential barriers to cross-departmental data integration; and what steps he is taking to help mitigate them.

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

The State of Digital Government Review identified five root causes for the issues with the current state of digital government, all of which are barriers to cross-departmental data integration: Leadership, Structure, Measurement, Talent and Funding. In addition, an extensive data management discovery has recently concluded which identified strategic, cultural and technical barriers to data capability across government.

The Blueprint for Modern Digital Government sets out the first steps in the government's plans to address these challenges, including work to strengthen and extend our digital and data infrastructure. This includes developing guidance, standards and tools for fast and secure data exchange, such as a mandate for the publication of a standard set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) by public sector organisations, and the development of a cross-government Data Management Hub to support the adoption of consistent best practice. We are also expanding data sharing legislation, where necessary, and creating the National Data Library to provide the trusted data foundations needed for the delivery of a modern digital economy.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he plans to take to help tackle public concerns on (a) surveillance and (b) the misuse of personal data as digital identity and service integration increases.

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

The Government plans to introduce digital versions of existing government-issued documents through the GOV.UK Wallet, a secure digital service for storing government-issued credentials on users’ smartphones. By design, Government will not be keeping a record of where credentials are used.

GOV.UK One Login allows citizens to safely and securely prove their identity to access government services online. Privacy is at the core of its design; it is compliant with UK data protection and privacy laws.

In addition, measures on digital verification services (‘DVS’) in the Data (Use and Access) Act create a legislative structure of standards (the UK digital identity and attributes trust framework), governance and oversight for DVS that wish to appear on a government register, so that people will know what a good digital identity looks like.

The trust framework includes rules on privacy, data protection, and fraud management, building on existing industry standards and legislation where appropriate, to ensure user needs are put first.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to partner with technology SMEs to deliver components of the Government's digital strategy.

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

The Government is committed to partnering with technology SMEs to deliver components of the Government’s digital strategy.

To support this, the Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence in Government Digital Service is working closely with trade bodies that represent SME’s to ensure that the SME’s get regular opportunities to engage with officials and gain a detailed understanding of the digital strategy and how the SME community can help.

These communities will be able to provide insights and provide feedback to GDS, noting that any commercial engagements will need to follow procurement regulations.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support local authorities in adopting AI responsibly in service delivery.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The government supports the responsible integration of AI across local government operations and services to reduce costs, drive efficiencies and improve service outcomes.

My Department is working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Incubator for AI (i.AI) to deliver the ‘Extract’ tool, which uses AI to transform planning information and maps from PDF’s into data. The tool includes a human verification element, and when launched will be accompanied by guidance to support local authorities.

We also continue to fund the development of AI solutions in collaboration with local planning authorities via our PropTech Innovation Fund. Previous funding rounds saw a number of AI projects balancing innovation with responsible service delivery and implementation of safeguards. The latest round, which closed June 2025, placed ethical and responsible considerations as a priority criterion for assessment, with applications proposing to develop AI solutions required to set out steps towards responsible delivery and regulatory compliance.

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 regional differences in digital infrastructure that may affect the rollout of the digital transformation strategy.

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

Differences in digital infrastructure are regularly assessed through Ofcom’s Connected Nations reporting. We are committed to ensuring nationwide (at least 99%) gigabit broadband coverage by 2032 and to standalone 5G coverage by 2030 across all populated areas of the UK.

88% of premises already have access to gigabit-capable broadband. To extend coverage further, Project Gigabit contracts have been signed across the UK. These contracts take account of regional differences in provision of digital infrastructure.

4G coverage from at least one mobile operator has now reached over 95% of the UK landmass as a result of the Shared Rural Network, with the biggest improvements in mobile coverage being delivered across rural Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Scotland had the lowest coverage at the start of the programme, so the biggest investment has been directed there to improve coverage.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the new GOV.UK website will allow for integration with services provided by (a) local authorities and (b) other public bodies.

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

The Blueprint for Modern Digital Government sets out the government's vision for joined-up services that span the public sector, deliver a more satisfying user experience and reduce the bureaucratic burden on citizens.

The GOV.UK website already helps users to move between GOV.UK and wider public services. Users can select their location to see information relevant to them, and follow embedded links to, for example, local government services and health-related content.

The new GOV.UK App similarly enables people to tailor their experience based on their location; after inputting a UK postcode, the GOV.UK App directs users to the relevant local council. Future iterations of the GOV.UK App will provide more personalised and integrated access.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the GOV.UK wallet will be launched as a standalone application; and what plans his Department has for the inclusion of digital driving licences within the wallet’s functionality.

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

The Government is developing the GOV.UK Wallet, which will initially be released as part of the existing GOV.UK One Login app. The first credential will be the Veteran Card, followed by plans for an early version of the digital driving licence later this year. This follows on from the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, requiring services to issue a digitally verified credential alongside any paper/card-based credential or proof of entitlement eligibility by the end of 2027.

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 coordinate integration of digital platforms across departments.

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

The Government is committed to delivering more joined up public services, reducing duplication, and developing modern digital public infrastructure that will make public organisations more integrated.

The Government has also committed to introducing a Digital Backbone: the integration, orchestration and instrumentation technology needed to share capabilities and build true end-to-end journeys.

The Government has also committed to launch a Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence, which will negotiate whole-of-public-sector agreements and contracting once for a limited number of high value cases, including platform services such as cloud.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what role the Digital Centre of Government will play in (a) mandating and (b) monitoring digital service standards across (i) departments and (ii) public bodies.

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

The Service Standard provides the principles of building a good service. It’s made up of 14 points covering three specific areas: meeting user needs, providing a good service and using the right technology. The Service Standard is mandated for all GOV.UK services.

If a central government service is transactional, it will be assessed against the Service Standard before it can be accessed via GOV.UK. This applies even if the service is internal and will only be used by civil servants.

In ‘A blueprint for modern digital government’, the Government committed to publishing a new Digital & AI Roadmap which will set out further detail on plans to improve service standards and performance.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to mandate the adoption of common technical architecture and standards across departments as part of digital transformation efforts.

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

The Government is committed to delivering systematic shifts in how whole organisations work together to deliver joined up public services. This includes changes such as using shared digital and data infrastructure to meet common needs.

The Government committed to setting up a Technical Design Council led by expert technology, data and AI practitioners, to tackle the toughest and most strategic technical decisions with the needs of the whole sector in mind.

The Government also committed to consolidating guidance and standards for digital and technology, retiring out-of-date and duplicative things, updating critical ones, streamlining the information teams need and making it easier for them to understand what to do.

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 support (a) public sector bodies and (b) local authorities to (i) replace and (ii) upgrade legacy IT systems.

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

The Government is committed to ensuring that all public sector digital systems are safe, secure and stable. This includes ensuring that legacy systems are effectively managed.

To support this, the Government Digital Service worked closely with HMT throughout the recent spending review to ensure that decisions on funding took into account the need to replace and upgrade legacy IT systems.

The Government Digital Service will now continue to work with organisations across the public sector, including local government, to identify the most effective ways to upgrade or replace legacy services and to share best practice.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has undertaken a cross-Government audit of legacy systems to inform the prioritisation of modernisation efforts.

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

The last survey of legacy systems was conducted in 2024. The scale of legacy varies by organisation and is not consistently measured, but it is estimated to comprise 28% of systems in central government departments in 2024, an increase from 26% in 2023.

Government Digital Service (GDS) has worked closely with HM Treasury throughout the recent spending review to ensure that decisions on funding took into account the need to replace and upgrade legacy IT systems. GDS will continue to work with both HMT and Departments going forward

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 ensure digital (a) inclusion and (b) consistency across in (i) urban and (ii) rural local authorities in transforming public service delivery.

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

The Government is committed to improving digital inclusion and ensuring consistency in the transformation of public service delivery across both urban and rural areas. Through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps, the Government is working with local authorities and delivery partners to improve access to digital services and address barriers to inclusion. This includes identifying and addressing gaps in existing guidance, such as the Service Manual and Service Standard, and developing a measurement framework to support service teams in assessing and improving inclusivity. These steps will support more consistent, user-focused service transformation regardless of location.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to pilot new (a) digital service models and (b) GOV.UK application functionality with local authorities prior to national rollout.

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

The GOV.UK app, which launched into public beta on 1 July 2025, embodies our vision of a government that provides a personalised and proactive experience which meets people where they are, bringing together access to central and local services into one secure place. The app’s local authority feature will allow you to input any UK postcode and add a shortcut to the relevant local council on your app home screen, including local councils in devolved nations. This content will develop over time.

Officials continue to work closely with teams across government departments and local authorities to ensure joined up user journeys and consistent experiences across platforms.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, published on 21 January 2025, what steps his Department is taking with the Government Digital Service to provide (a) funding, (b) specialist advice and (c) digital tools to support local authorities with implementation.

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

The Blueprint for Modern Digital Government set out the government’s vision for digital services across the whole of the public sector. Earlier this year, the Government Digital Service ran a sprint looking at how GDS should work with and support local authorities to achieve this vision.

The sprint found the challenges that local authorities face in data sharing and the IT market and considered how GDS products, services and capabilities could support local government.

Following the sprint, GDS is establishing a programme of collaboration with local government to support local transformation.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to develop safeguards to ensure algorithmic transparency in AI tools deployed by public sector bodies.

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

The Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) offers a standardised method for public sector bodies to publish information on their use of algorithmic tools. Its use is mandatory for all government departments and for Arms Length Bodies providing public or frontline services, or directly engaging with the public. The ATRS applies to algorithmic tools which significantly influence public decision-making or directly interact with the general public. It is also recommended for algorithmic tools and public authorities outside this mandatory scope. Over 70 records have been published, ensuring safeguards for various algorithmic tool uses across government and the wider public sector.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, published on 21 January 2025, what plans he has to increase secure data sharing between departments and public bodies.

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

GDS is leading work to improve the way we share, govern and use data across government and the wider public sector. Strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure is one of six priorities identified in the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government.

This includes developing guidance, standards and tools for fast and secure data exchange, such as a mandate for the publication of a standard set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) by public sector organisations, and the creation of a National Data Library to manage public sector data as a national strategic resource.

We are also driving forward use of the data sharing provisions of the Digital Economy Act 2017 to target and improve public services to citizens as well as addressing barriers to data sharing more widely.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support capital funding for Broomfield's leisure centre in Warrington South constituency.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to leisure facilities which are vital spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities.

The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level with funding levels set by MHCLG as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities.

On 20 June 2025, the Culture Secretary announced that following the Spending Review, at least £400 million is going to be invested into new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities in communities right across the UK, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We will now work closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what each community needs and then set out further plans.

Found: (Liberal Democrat; Tiverton and Minehead) Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat; Chesham and Amersham) Sarah Hall

Found: (Liberal Democrat; Tiverton and Minehead) Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat; Chesham and Amersham) Sarah Hall

Found: (Liberal Democrat; Tiverton and Minehead) Sarah Green (Liberal Democrat; Chesham and Amersham) Sarah Hall

Found: Q4 Sarah Hall: The entire service was taken offline.

Found: Simon Opher Ellie Chowns John McDonnell Sorcha Eastwood Apsana Begum Dawn Butler Ian Lavery Sarah Hall