Asked by: Henry Smith (Conservative - Crawley)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the way the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and NHS England evaluate and adopt Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products as technologies with the potential to deliver significant health gains over long periods of time.
Answered by Will Quince
The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently carried out a comprehensive review of its methods and processes for health technology evaluation to ensure that they were appropriate to emerging new technologies such as advanced therapeutic medicinal products (ATMPs). NICE published its updated health technology evaluation manual in January 2022 and has introduced a number of changes that ensure that its appraisal processes are suitable for emerging new medicines, including a broader severity modifier and changes to better respond to uncertainty. There are no plans for a further assessment of NICE’s processes for evaluating ATMPs.
NICE’s methods and processes have been proven to be suitable for ATMPs where companies are willing to price their products in a way that represents value to the taxpayer. NICE has recommended 80% of the ATMPs it has evaluated for use by the National Health Service and they are now available for the treatment of NHS patients, including through the Cancer Drugs Fund and managed access agreements negotiated between the NHS and the manufacturer.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the letter published by the Future of Life Institute Pause Giant AI Experiments: An Open Letter, published on 29 March, what plans they have to work with partners at the United Nations Security Council to pause the development of advanced AI for six months.
Answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems become more powerful, and are put to different use, they will create new challenges and risks. The UK Government recognises it will need to act and adapt the way we regulate technologies like AI that are playing an increasingly vital role in our economy and society. Whilst it is important to note that the letter is not expressly targeted towards the UK or any other government, the UK Government agrees - and makes it clear in the AI Regulation White Paper - that a collaborative approach, including with our international partners, is fundamental to addressing AI risk and supporting responsible AI development and use.
Asked by: Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to deliver on the commitment made in the Life Sciences Vision, published in July 2021, to introduce new treatment possibilities such as novel cell and gene therapies for patients with rare genetic diseases such as haemophilia.
Answered by Lord Markham - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Life Sciences Vision sets out how we will accelerate the adoption and uptake of innovative new treatments and technologies, including for rare diseases. The Accelerated Access Collaborative is central to delivering these commitments and has initiatives aimed at accelerating adoption of innovation in the National Health Service.
The UK Rare Diseases Framework outlines our priorities in tackling rare diseases such as haemophilia. This includes improving access to specialist care, treatment and drugs. England’s first Rare Diseases Action Plan sets out actions to achieve this, including developing a strategic approach for gene therapies and other Advanced Therapy Medical Products. Two gene therapies for adults with haemophilia B are expected to be available within the next few years.
Asked by: Clive Betts (Labour - Sheffield South East)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department is taking steps to change (a) NICE and (b) NHS England’s processes to help adapt to developing cell and gene therapies.
Answered by Will Quince
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) carried out a comprehensive review of its methods and processes in early 2022. The changes introduced will ensure its methods and processes are suited to new and emerging types of technology, including cell and gene therapies, and provide more equitable access (to these technologies) for those with severe diseases.
As committed to under Action 12 of England Rare Diseases Action Plan 2022, NHS England are developing a strategic approach for gene therapies and other advanced therapy medicinal products based on horizon scanning. This work is ongoing and the Department will receive an update on progress and next steps ahead of publication of the action plan, due in early 2023.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to ensure the success of the sixth generation fighter program between the UK, Japan and Italy.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
Since we launched the Concept and Assessment phase of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme in 2021, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has been working with industry partners to define and design the capability we require and invest in the skills and infrastructure needed to deliver it. MOD has already invested over £1 billion in developing the skills and technologies needed to deliver at pace and our Team Tempest industry partners have also invested hundreds of millions more. Industry partners are using transformative technologies and processes such as additive manufacturing and digital design and testing to drastically speed up the development process while enhancing product quality. BAE Systems' Factory of the Future in Lancashire is demonstrating integrated and agile manufacturing capabilities including advanced 3D printing and autonomous robotics.
On 9 December 2022 the Prime Minister announced our partnership with Italy and Japan, known as the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), to jointly develop the core aircraft. we will now focus on activities to mature the programme in preparation for the main development phase, scheduled for 2025. Over the next few years, substantial joint work will be undertaken to bring together the UK/Italy’s pre-existing FCAS collaboration and Japan’s FX programme into a single new venture.
Asked by: Kevan Jones (Labour - North Durham)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the tweet by his Procurement Adviser on 9 December, in which areas in the combat air sector he considers that the UK has weak industrial capabilities.
Answered by Alex Chalk - Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice
On 9 December 2022, the UK, Japan and Italy announced the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a trilateral partnership to develop a next generation fighter jet. The UK, Japan and Italy all have strong combat air industrial capabilities, which complement each other and enable the synergies needed to deliver the programme at pace. Industry partners from these three advanced industrial nations will play an important part in the programme, working together to develop the capability. This partnership allows us to harness the strong industrial bases of each country in the co-development of advanced technologies, to deliver cutting-edge military capabilities and share the cost of development as we further modernise the already strong industrial base in each country.
The UK defence industry is already leading the world in advanced aerospace engineering, as demonstrated by our core role in the development of Typhoon, our participation in F35 and our success in the defence exports market. The Defence Command Paper noted that UK combat air industry employs 18,000 people, with tens of thousands more in the supply chain. There are now over 2,500 people employed in this new programme, and the number continues to grow. Since the launch of the Concept and Assessment Phase in 2021, we have done substantial work defining and designing the system and are working on a range of technology areas, including the development a joint engine demonstrator and advanced sensors. Within the UK, the programme is a key avenue for public and private investment in Research and Development in the combat air industrial sector. Ministry of Defence has already invested over £1 billion, with hundreds of millions more from private industry, developing advanced industrial capabilities and keeping the UK combat air sector at the cutting edge internationally.
Asked by: Ruth Cadbury (Labour - Brentford and Isleworth)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to support British (a) inventors and (b) manufacturers with tackling roadside air pollution generated by motor vehicles.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government aims to position the UK as the best place in the world to develop, manufacture and use zero exhaust emissions vehicles and ensure that the cleanest conventional vehicles are driven on our roads.
Innovation and a strong R&D ecosystem is key to this. Government is delivering:
Asked by: Baroness Scott of Needham Market (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask His Majesty's Government what financial assistance they have given to (1) businesses, or (2) academic institutions, in connection with low carbon aviation in the form of (a) grants, (b) loans, (c) guarantees or indemnities, (d) acquisitions of shares or securities, (e) undertakings or assets, or (f) incurring expenditure, for the benefit of the body assisted in the creation of (i) hydrogen fuel cells, (ii) other electric battery technologies, (iii) hydrogen combustion, (iv) synthetic liquid fuels, and (v) biofuels.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government co-invests in mid-stage R&D, with industry, to develop new ultra-efficient and zero-carbon aircraft technologies through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme. Since 2013, the ATI Programme has committed R&D grants to 29 industry-led collaborative projects on new forms of propulsion or fuels totalling £194m. Industry will co-invest £178m alongside these grants. The R&D projects cover a range of technologies but are primarily focused on aircraft propulsion systems involving hydrogen fuel cells, batteries, and electric motors and machines. Each project involves a range of collaborators including industry partners, universities and research organisations. Grants through the ATI Programme have also been provided to develop aircraft gas turbine engines, which have included work packages to test synthetic fuels or biofuels. We have not been able to isolate the cost of this element of research within large projects, so have not included it in the figures set out above.
In order to explore the potential for zero-carbon emission flight, the Government also provided a £15m grant to the ATI-led FlyZero project. This in-depth research study, which was completed in March 2022, found green liquid hydrogen offers the greatest potential to power future zero-carbon emission aircraft.
To kickstart a domestic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, the Government has made £227m available, since 2014, to support the development of advanced fuel plants. This includes investing in 8 SAF plants through the Green Fuels, Green Skies competition and more recently launching the £165m Advanced Fuels Fund. The Government has separately committed £12m to establish a UK SAF Clearing House to support the testing and certification of new SAF and £1m to run the first-ever passenger aircraft flight powered by 100% SAF, between the UK and the US, through the Net Zero Transatlantic Flight Fund. These investments are coupled with the £400m UK Government partnership with Breakthrough Energy Catalyst into emerging climate technologies, including SAF.
Asked by: Andrew Selous (Conservative - South West Bedfordshire)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help support UK businesses working on net zero aviation.
Answered by Jesse Norman
The Government is supporting UK businesses working on net zero aviation through a variety of programmes and policies which are set out in our Jet Zero Strategy, published in July 2022.
We have also committed to introducing a SAF mandate requiring at least 10% of fuel to be made from sustainable sources by 2030. Over the next three years we are also providing £180 million of funding to accelerate the commercialisation of SAF plants and fuel testing, including £165 million for the Advanced Fuels Fund. We are looking carefully at how to create the long-term conditions for investable projects in the UK and have said we will set out a preferred position by the end of the year.
To support the development of new and zero-carbon emission aircraft technology still further, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is providing £685 million of funding to the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme over the next three years, an increase of £235 million over the previous three years.
We continue to work with businesses through the Jet Zero Council and other forums to consider how to develop and industrialise clean aviation and aerospace technologies, establish UK production facilities for SAF and develop a co-ordinated approach to the policy and regulatory framework needed to deliver net zero aviation.
Asked by: Baroness Scott of Needham Market (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what evidence they used in the development of the Jet Zero strategy; and in gathering any such evidence, what assessment they made of the risk that sustainable aviation fuels may not have a significant impact on reducing carbon emissions in the medium term.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Jet Zero Strategy was developed considering a wide range of evidence including over 1,500 responses to the Jet Zero Consultation, launched in July 2021, and the Jet Zero: Further Technical Consultation which was published in March 2022. We received consultation responses from members of the public, and a broad spectrum of organisations including from the aviation and aerospace industries, NGOs and environmental groups.
Alongside consultation responses, we considered external evidence produced domestically and internationally, including from the UK Climate Change Committee, the World Economic Forum, the International Council on Clean Transportation, the European Union, the United States and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
This evidence informed policy development, as well as the modelling of four scenarios each with a different mix of technologies to illustrate alternative pathways for reaching net zero aviation by 2050. Within these scenarios, sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) account for up to 10% emissions reductions in 2030, and up to 32% in 2040, demonstrating the potential impact of SAF in the medium-term. The range of scenarios modelled aims to reflect the range of potential outcomes, recognising the current early stages of development of new fuels and technologies.
To support the development of a UK SAF industry, through the Jet Zero Strategy we committed to putting a SAF mandate in place with a target of at least 10% SAF in the UK jet fuel mix by 2030; and having at least five UK SAF plants under construction, supported through our £165 million advanced fuel competition.
The nascent nature of decarbonisation technologies means that we do not yet know the optimal technological mix for achieving Jet Zero. We have therefore committed to reviewing our approach every five years and adapting our Strategy if necessary.