Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many (a) schools and (b) students are participating in CyberFirst programmes in (i) Newcastle Central constituency and (ii) the North East.

The National Cyber Security Centre delivers a range of initiatives through CyberFirst, including a schools and colleges recognition programme, the undergraduate bursary scheme, and the CyberFirst Girls Competition for 12-13 year olds. As part of this effort, DSIT also delivers the Cyber Explorers platform for 11-14 year olds.

In the North East, girls from 17 schools entered the CyberFirst Girls Competition and 15 institutions are recognised as CyberFirst Schools and Colleges. Also, 80 schools participate in the Cyber Explorers online platform, including 6 in Newcastle Central.

There are 89 undergraduate bursary students studying at universities in the North East. A further 2,283 learners are registered on Cyber Explorers, including 50 in Newcastle Central, as well as 122 students who have applied to attend a CyberFirst summer course at Durham University.