Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many positions on standards bodies does the department currently fund and how many will be funded in 2030 following the implementation of the UK's Digital Standards Strategy.

The Department participates in various international standards development organisations (SDOs), including the International Telecommunication Union, European Telecommunication Standards Institute and Internet Engineering Task Force, in line with the UK’s Digital Standards Strategy. While the Department does not currently fund any specific positions within SDOs, it will continue to represent UK interests alongside industry and wider stakeholders. The UK champions an industry-led, multistakeholder approach to the development of digital standards and the Department is actively supporting efforts to widen stakeholder access to participation in SDOs.