Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, who is the Chief Risk Officer for national security risks relating to the work of their Department.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government identifies and assesses risks to the nation through the internal, classified National Security Risk Assessment, and the external National Risk Register, the most recent version of which was published in August
As set out in the UK Government Resilience Framework, each risk in the National Security Risk Assessment is owned and managed within Lead Government Departments
Where those risks, including national security risks, relate to the work of the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT), then they are managed through the department’s risk management processes. Within DSIT, risks are regularly reported to the department’s SLT, chaired by the Permanent Secretary, and then scrutinised by the Audit and Risk Committee (ARAC) on a regular basis.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
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 Cabinet colleagues on steps to safeguard against data breaches following the implementation of the proposed Digital ID scheme.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Privacy and security will be core to the design of a new digital credential. We are working with the UK’s leading security experts – including the National Cyber Security Centre – to build a system with higher protections against identity fraud than ever before. Ensuring that security arrangements keep pace with the changing threat landscape will be central to the scheme.
Overall responsibility for the scheme sits with the Cabinet Office who will be launching a public consultation in the new year.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans her Department has made to use decentralised data storage systems in the implementation of the digital ID scheme.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
We will work closely with expert stakeholders, including the Information Commissioner’s Office and the National Cyber Security Centre, to make the programme as effective and secure as possible. Our approach will involve a federated data model, to ensure privacy and security.
Overall responsibility for the scheme sits with the Cabinet Office who will be launching a public consultation in the new year, which will seek views on the design, build and delivery of the system.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Independent - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Government's proposed Digital ID scheme, what assessment her Department has made on the potential risks of using One Login to support implementation of the scheme.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
As with GOV.UK One Login, privacy and security will be core to the design of a new digital credential. We are working with the UK’s leading security experts – including the National Cyber Security Centre – to build a system with higher protections against identity fraud than ever before. Overall responsibility for the scheme sits with the Cabinet Office who will be launching a public consultation in the new year.
Asked by: Steve Darling (Liberal Democrat - Torbay)
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 improve the availability of high-quality STEM skills and support innovation in the South West, particularly in sectors critical to defence, ICT, and energy security.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government is committed to strengthening STEM skills and driving innovation across the UK, including the South West. DSIT has launched the TechFirst programme to deliver tech and AI learning to 1 million young people by 2029. This builds on CyberFirst, which has reached 415,000 students and recognised 230 schools, including 47 in the South West.
Since 2022, DSIT’s Cyber Local programme has delivered 18 initiatives in the South West, supporting economic growth and skills development. A list of 2024–25 programmes is available here.
DSIT is working with other government departments to increase regional and national STEM skills provisions. Through the Clean Energy Jobs Plan, the Government is investing £1.2 billion in skills development, including a £100 million Engineering Skills Package and new Technical Excellence Colleges. The South West hosts the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult in Hayle, supporting innovation and skills development in marine and energy technologies.
The UK Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy, backed by a £182 million skills package, includes the Plymouth Defence Growth Deal (September 2025), securing a share of £250 million to boost defence innovation and skills in the region.
The Post‑16 Education and Skills White Paper focuses on employer‑led training and technical routes to tackle skills gaps. In the South West, this means Local Skills Improvement Plans shaping provision for priority sectors like clean energy, digital and defence, alongside Technical Excellence Colleges, expanding higher technical courses and apprenticeships to meet regional demand.
Asked by: Victoria Collins (Liberal Democrat - Harpenden and Berkhamsted)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the level of risk to UK competitiveness from underinvestment in (a) AI and (b) defence technology; and what steps she is taking to ensure that the UK does not fall behind international competitors in AI development and deployment.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
In January, we accepted all 50 recommendations of the AI Opportunities Action Plan, setting out the steps we are taking to ensure the UK does not fall behind the advances in AI made by global competitors but rather is an AI maker, not an AI taker.
At the Spending Review, we committed up to £2 billion to deliver this plan, and are now 11 months into delivery. We are investing in the foundations of AI through world-class computing and data infrastructure, for example increasing public compute by 20x by 2030 through the expansion of the AI Research Resource programme, and through the announcement of 4 AI Growth Zone sites since January this year. We will also combine equity investment with other levers to back British businesses to become national champions in critical domains through the £500 million-backed Sovereign AI Unit.
DSIT is also working with the MoD to foster a world-leading UK defence technology sector through establishing the UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) Organisation and collaborating on National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) investment programmes.
Asked by: Gavin Williamson (Conservative - Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, in cases where genomic data has been found to have been transferred in violation of UK law or national security standards, what steps has the government taken or plans to take to remediate these breaches.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The UK has one of the most robust data protection regimes in the world, with all organisations required to comply with our legislation to safeguard UK personal data when transferring it overseas. Failure to do so can result in enforcement action.
Our data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office, has powers to take enforcement action and issue hefty fines. Individuals who consider that their data has been misused can also take legal action.
Asked by: Victoria Collins (Liberal Democrat - Harpenden and Berkhamsted)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support SMEs to (a) implement cybersecurity measures and (b) procure AI systems securely; and whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing (i) subsidised support and (ii) guidance to tackle the cost pressures that prevent small businesses from adopting secure-by-design practices.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Improving the cyber security of our nation’s SMEs is critical to the resilience of the wider economy. The Government provides free tools, guidance, and training to help SMEs implement cyber security measures. This includes the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC’s) recently launched Cyber Action Toolkit which provides SMEs with tailored advice.
The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) and the NCSC, have introduced several voluntary Codes of Practice, covering Software, AI, and apps and app stores. These measures, co-designed with industry and experts, set minimum security requirements and support SMEs to securely adopt AI systems.
We will continue to work with industry and monitor the impact of these Codes of Practice. This will enable us to assess their effectiveness and consider further guidance and incentives to help SMEs confidently implement secure-by-design practices in a cost-efficient way. For immediate assistance, SMEs should get in touch with their regional Cyber Resilience Centre, which are run by the police and the Home Office, and offer free cyber advice and support to SMEs.
Asked by: John Hayes (Conservative - South Holland and The Deepings)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many and what proportion of cameras used in facial recognition technology are made in the UK.
Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)
The information requested is not held by the Home Office. Decisions on the procurement of cameras used in facial recognition technology are for individual police forces and other relevant authorities. Procurement decisions by police forces must comply with UK procurement law, including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, Procurement Act 2023, and relevant Cabinet Office guidance on supply chain risk. They are also expected to follow the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice issued under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012. In addition, forces have been advised to consider supply chain security and have received guidance from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Cabinet Office on the use of Chinese-manufactured surveillance equipment.
Asked by: Neil Shastri-Hurst (Conservative - Solihull West and Shirley)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many instances of non-compliance with ICNIRP public exclusion zone requirements for telecommunications masts have been identified in each of the last five years; and what enforcement action was taken in each case.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is not responsible for public health considerations related to radio waves, nor for monitoring or measuring mobile network operators’ compliance with their existing obligations in this area. In the United Kingdom, the Health Security Agency (UKHSA) advises the Government on health impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMF) and monitors emerging evidence.
Wireless network operators must comply with the guidelines set by The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection under licencing conditions set by Ofcom. Ofcom can enforce compliance, including the requirement to meet public EMF limits and maintain records demonstrating compliance.
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) requires operators declare that proposed sites comply with ICNIRP guidelines when submitting planning applications. As best practice, operators should provide self-certification statements with all applications confirming adherence to ICNIRP guidelines. The NPPF is the responsibility of Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government.