Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which Minister in their Department is responsible for overseeing work on long-term strategic challenges; and how many officials in their Department (a) undertake horizon scanning work and (b) focus on delivering long-term priorities.

All DSIT Ministers are responsible for overseeing work on long-term strategic challenges within their portfolio. The Secretary of State is ultimately accountable for long-term strategic challenges for the entire Department.

DSIT’s work is underpinned by long-term strategies, most notably the Science and Technology Framework, which sets out the ten key actions we will take to deliver our Science and Technology Superpower agenda by 2030. Investment in Science and Technology is an inherently long-term endeavour and DSIT is focused on delivering long- term benefits.

The Liaison Committee recently launched an inquiry into select committee scrutiny of strategic thinking across Whitehall. The Government will be providing written evidence to this in due course.