theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the provision in the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill to remove public notices in local papers concerning changes to local authority governance arrangements on local democratic engagement. \p Miatta Fahnbulleh: Schedule 25 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill makes provision to amend statutory notice requirements under the Local Government Act 2000, concerning changes to local authority governance arrangements.

In practice, this change will affect only a very small number of councils. Over 80% of councils already operate the leader and cabinet model of governance and provisions in the Bill will limit future changes to local authority governance.

The provision does not prevent local authorities from publishing notices in printed newspapers where this is considered the most appropriate way to inform residents. Instead, local authorities will be able to choose the most suitable communication channels for their area, including local newspapers.
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Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what his planned timeline is for publishing the final Local Government Outcomes Framework. \p Alison McGovern: The Local Government Outcomes Framework will be published alongside the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement. The data will be displayed in a digital tool from Spring 2026.
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Neil Coyle:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many properties with EPC ratings of (a) F and (b) G rating are let by (i) Local Authorities and (ii) Housing Associations \p Matthew Pennycook: Information on the EPC ratings of social housing let by local authorities and housing associations, as well as other tenures, can be found in the latest English Housing Survey on gov.uk here. In the 2023-24 survey, 0.3% of homes let by local authorities and 0.4% of homes let by housing associations have an EPC rating of band F or G.
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the importance of initiatives such as furnished tenancies to reduce material deprivation amongst vulnerable groups. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 84054 on 3 November 2025.
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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to introduce requirements for the installation of swift bricks in new housing developments. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 62367 on 2 July 2025.
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Tulip Siddiq:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to help protect social tenants not in receipt of housing benefit from increases in service charges. \p Matthew Pennycook: Registered Providers of social housing are expected to set reasonable and transparent service charges for tenants that reflect the service being provided. Tenants should be supplied with clear information about how service charges are set.

The government’s policy statement on rents for social housing makes clear out that Registered Providers should endeavour to keep increases for service charges within the limit on rent increases, which is CPI (as at September in the previous year) +1 percentage point, to help keep charges affordable.

On 4 July, the government published a consultation on strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services. The proposals will apply to tenants of local authorities and private registered providers who pay both fixed and variable service charges.It can be found on gov.uk here.

For an overview of the proposals set out in the consultation, I refer the hon. Member to the associated Written Ministerial Statement made on 4 July 2025 (HCWS780). This consultation closed on 26 September and we are analysing responses.
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Suella Braverman:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that vulnerable tenants are protected if housing management companies dismiss or ignore evidence of harassment. \p Matthew Pennycook: Estate management companies managing freehold estates do not have a dedicated role in dealing with anti-social behaviour and harassment. However, they may wish to engage with local authorities and the police to help prevent or deal with such behaviour.

Leaseholders experiencing anti-social behaviour and harassment may contact the government-funded Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE), which provides free initial legal advice and information.

Social landlords already have a range of powers and enforcement tools to tackle anti-social behaviour including powers to evict perpetrators. We expect landlords to use those powers promptly and proportionately, putting the needs of victims at the heart of their response.

Following implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, private landlords will be able to take action to evict anti-social tenants quicker, with landlords being able to make a claim to the court immediately in all anti-social behaviour cases.

Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission. We will crack down on those making neighbourhoods feel unsafe and unwelcoming by introducing the new Respect Order, which local authorities will be able to apply for and which will carry tough sanctions and penalties for persistent adult offenders. The police, local authorities and social landlords may already apply for a Civil Injunction under Section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to prevent behaviour that is causing housing-related nuisance and annoyance.

General guidance on the use of domestic CCTV systems is published by the Information Commissioner here.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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John Lamont:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government plans to ensure that local authorities recognise natural stone as a low-carbon material in planning guidance and local plan development. \p Matthew Pennycook: National design guidance, which supports the National Planning Policy Framework, states that well-designed places should be responsive to local history, culture and heritage. The guidance highlights the role of resources, including the careful selection of materials and construction techniques, to minimise any environmental impacts.

A local design code can introduce requirements on the use of materials for new development, if appropriate.
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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, (a) how many new social houses have been built in the Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency in each of the last three years, and (b) how many the Government intends to build in the constituency in the next three years. \p Matthew Pennycook: The number of new social homes delivered, split by provider, geography and whether they are new build or acquisitions, can be found in the affordable housing supply statistics on gov.uk here.

On 2 July, the government set out its five-point plan for kickstarting a decade of social and affordable housing renewal. Taken together, the grant funding support and regulatory certainty and stability that this government is providing will enable Registered Providers to quickly ramp up investment in existing and new stock. Further detail can be found in the Written Ministerial Statement made on that day (HCWS771).
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Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he will encourage local authorities to utilise furnished tenancies in their social housing stock to provide a safe and stable environment for those who are leaving homelessness, often without any possessions or financial savings. \p Alison McGovern: The Government is committed to moving away from a system focussed on crisis response, taking a holistic approach to preventing homelessness in the first place. That's why we've invested a record amount in prevention services this year as part of our £1 billion funding for homelessness services.

The Household Support Fund enables local authorities in England to provide discretionary support to vulnerable households in the most need with the cost of essentials, such as energy, water and food.

Local authorities have the flexibility to design their scheme within the parameters set by Department for Work and Pensions, and this can include supporting vulnerable households with the cost of wider essentials, which could include furniture, furnishings and appliances.

We consulted earlier this year on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for the social and private rented sectors. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here. It proposed that the Government develop best practice guidance for all landlords including providing information about where tenants in need can access help on furniture provision. The consultation has now closed, and responses are being analysed. More information about future guidance will be released as part of the Government response.
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Mohammad Yasin:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the long-term housing strategy will include steps to grow the Integrated Retirement Community sector. \p Matthew Pennycook: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 87630 on 11 November 2025.
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Mr Richard Holden:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential energy-efficiency benefits derived from using natural stone in public and private construction. \p Samantha Dixon: Energy efficiency requirements for new dwellings and buildings are set through the Building Regulations, which specify overall performance standards rather than mandating particular materials. This allows designers and developers to select the most practical and cost-effective materials for each project, including the use of natural stone where appropriate.
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Gideon Amos:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of clarifying whether regulation 25A of the Building Regulations that relates to Approved Document L includes extensions where the new wall or roof area adds 25% to the surface area of the building. \p Samantha Dixon: Regulation 25A of the Building Regulations 2010 concerns the use of high-efficiency alternative systems in new buildings and does not apply to extensions.

The energy efficiency standards that apply to extensions to existing dwellings are set out in Approved Document L: Conservation of fuel and power, Volume 1 (dwellings), Section 10.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to ensure that newly constructed buildings have good disability access. \p Samantha Dixon: The government recognises how important home adaptations are in enabling disabled people to live as independently as possible in a safe and suitable environment. The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a capital grant administered by local authorities in England that can help meet the cost of adaptations for people of all ages and tenures to make their home safe and suitable for their needs. This government has boosted funding for the DFG to £711 million for both 2024-25 and 2025-26.

Accessibility standards for homes are governed by Part M of the Building Regulations 2010. The Building Regulations apply to new homes, or those undergoing a material change of use. There are three standards of accessibility prescribed in the Building Regulations: M4(1); M4(2) and M4(3).
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether the Government paid a second homes council tax premium in (a) March and (b) April 2025 for the then Deputy Prime Minister’s official residence in Admiralty House. \p Samantha Dixon: Following the introduction of the second homes premium on 1 April, this has been paid in full in a one-off full payment in July 2025. This payment was made on the date the invoice was received from Westminster City Council.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 69291 on Members: Correspondence, if he will (a) assign the correspondence letter to an incumbent Minister and (b) provide a substantive reply. \p Samantha Dixon: The former Deputy Prime Minister is no longer in post. The questions raised in the hon. Member’s correspondence have already been addressed via parliamentary questions from the hon. Member and his colleagues. I specifically refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 52866 on 27 May 2025, 74185 on 2 September 2025, 84951 on 10 November 2025, 85494 on 5 November 2025, 85495 on 5 November 2025, 88674 on 17 November 2025, and HL10730 on 13 October 2025.
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Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many hours of Gaelic (a) television and (b) radio programmes were broadcast each year under the Multiplex Licence (Broadcasting of Programmes in Gaelic) Order 1996 in each of the last five years. \p Ian Murray: The Multiplex Licence (Broadcasting of Programmes in Gaelic) Order 1996 was repealed in 2011. As a result, Gaelic language broadcasting generally, and services currently broadcast wholly or mainly in Cornwall, are no longer required to meet the criteria of the Multiplex Licence (Broadcasting of Programmes in Gaelic) Order 1996.

Regarding Cornish and Gaelic programming, the Media Act 2024 once commenced, will for the first time make clear in legislation the importance of the provision of these indigenous regional and minority languages as part of the modernised public service remit for television. It will be for Ofcom, the independent regulator, to monitor compliance.

In terms of the provision of the broadcasting of television programming in Scottish Gaelic in Scotland, the 1996 Order was replaced with the current arrangement between the BBC and MG ALBA for the carriage of BBC Alba. The BBC report on its provision of Scottish Gaelic programming in its annual report, and Ofcom annually reports on the amount of first run hours of Gaelic television programming aired on BBC Alba.

Additionally, the BBC has a broader obligation under its Royal Charter to reflect, represent and serve the diverse communities of all the UK’s nations and regions, including support for Minority Language Broadcasting across its services.

Meanwhile, support for Irish Gaelic programming is facilitated through support from the Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF) and the Nimux programme which extends the coverage of TG4, the Irish Gaelic public service channel, across Northern Ireland.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions have taken place with broadcasters on improving access to live sports coverage for people without subscription services. \p Ian Murray: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring access to live sporting events so that they can be enjoyed by a wide audience. However, this must also be balanced with the ability of sports National Governing Bodies and rightsholders to generate revenue to invest in their sports at all levels.

All UK broadcasters are operationally and editorially independent of the Government. Decisions relating to coverage of particular sporting events are ultimately a commercial decision for them and/or the rights holder of the specific event.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to increase participation in creative apprenticeships in the North East. \p Ian Murray: The government is committed to empowering local leaders to take decisions related to their local skills needs. As part of this, DCMS is providing £25m to the North East Strategic Authority through the Creative Places Growth Fund. This will allow areas to distribute funding according to local barriers and opportunities and maximise the impact of national interventions, including supporting regional skills initiatives like apprenticeships.

More broadly, this government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will offer greater flexibility to employers and learners. In the Creative Industries Sector Plan, we committed to working with industry to refine and develop this offer, to deliver apprenticeships and skills training that recognises the particular needs of the sector.

This will build on flexi-job apprenticeship agencies and new flexibilities like shorter apprenticeships, which were introduced in August. From April 2026, we will also introduce short course ‘apprenticeship units’ in areas such as digital and AI, to support Industrial Strategy sectors like the Creative Industries.
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Matt Vickers:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to increase digital skills within the video-games sector. \p Ian Murray: The Government is making the UK the best place in the world to create video games, having identified the creative industries as one of eight priority sectors in the industrial strategy. We understand that digital skills are a key part of this.

The government is working with the creative industries to build evidence, support sector training pathways and ensure the workforce is prepared for the future of work. We will introduce short courses, in England, funded by the Growth and Skills Levy, in areas such as digital, to support Industrial Strategy sectors like the Creative Industries from April 2026. We have also committed to a new £187 million “TechFirst” programme to bring digital skills and AI learning into classrooms and communities and train up people of all ages and backgrounds for the tech careers of the future.

As set out in the Creative Industries Sector Plan published earlier this year, a Video Games Skills Strategy is also being developed by an industry-led UK Games Skills Network. This will build on findings from the Creative Industries Council Skills Audit, giving video games skills organisations and delivery partners a clear remit for tackling persistent skills gaps.
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Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help tackle misleading advertising online. \p Ian Murray: The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the independent regulator for advertising in the UK and enforces the Advertising Codes. These codes include specific rules intended to protect consumers from misleading marketing communications, including online. If advertising includes the omission, exaggeration, or ambiguous presentation of information, it can be considered misleading. The ASA works with online platforms via its Intermediary and Platform Principles to promote greater adherence to the non-broadcast advertising codes, resulting in more responsible advertising online.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 also prohibits unfair commercial practices, including misleading actions and omissions, that are likely to impact the average consumer’s transactional decisions. The Government commenced Part 4, Chapter 1 of the Act, which sets out rules on unfair trading, in April 2025.
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Michelle Welsh:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Government's consultation on alcohol licensing reform on local newspapers. \p Ian Murray: Following the Licensing taskforce report, the Government published a Call for Evidence on reforming the licensing system on 7 October, which closed on 6 November. The Call for Evidence invited views on the impact of licensing reforms, including in relation to Recommendation 4 of the taskforce on ending the requirement for printed statutory notices in local newspapers for alcohol licences. The reforms collectively aim to create a modern, proportionate, and enabling system that supports economic growth, revitalises high streets and fosters vibrant communities.

More broadly, the Government is concerned about the sustainability of local journalism and DCMS is developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. We also recognise that local press continues to play a central role in informing local communities, and that statutory notices can be important in helping inform the public of decisions made by their council which may affect their quality of life, local services or amenities, or their property.

Additionally, the sector’s Public Notice Portal is a welcome innovation, taking advantage of print publishers’ growing digital audiences and providing a centralised resource for all types of public notice. We also welcome the Portal's current expansion to include archive and consultation functions to help public bodies and commercial entities engage with the public more effectively.

DCMS is monitoring the progress of the Portal, and the effect that it has on the audience reach of public notices. This type of industry innovation and collaboration is integral to securing the sector’s future. It will be taken into account in our planned review of statutory notices as part of the Local Media Strategy, which will more broadly consider the merits of making changes to existing requirements to place statutory notices in print local newspapers, including the impact this has on local transparency and the newspaper industry. The review will also take forward final decisions on the future of alcohol licence notices. More will be announced on the Strategy and the review in due course.
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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of proposals to reform the alcohol licensing system to remove a requirement to advertise new premises licences or variations to existing licences on the ability of local news outlets to keep residents informed about these matters. \p Ian Murray: Following the Licensing taskforce report, the Government published a Call for Evidence on reforming the licensing system on 7 October, which closed on 6 November. The Call for Evidence invited views on the impact of licensing reforms, including in relation to Recommendation 4 of the taskforce on ending the requirement for printed statutory notices in local newspapers for alcohol licences. The reforms collectively aim to create a modern, proportionate, and enabling system that supports economic growth, revitalises high streets and fosters vibrant communities.

More broadly, the Government is concerned about the sustainability of local journalism and DCMS is developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. We also recognise that local press continues to play a central role in informing local communities, and that statutory notices can be an important way of keeping residents informed about decisions made by their council which may affect their quality of life, local services or amenities, or their property.

Additionally, the sector’s Public Notice Portal is a welcome innovation, taking advantage of print publishers’ growing digital audiences and providing a centralised resource for all types of public notice. We also welcome the Portal's current expansion to include archive and consultation functions to help public bodies and commercial entities engage with the public more effectively.

DCMS is monitoring the progress of the Portal, and the effect that it has on the audience reach of public notices. This type of industry innovation and collaboration is integral to securing the sector’s future. It will be taken into account in our planned review of statutory notices as part of the Local Media Strategy, which will more broadly consider the merits of making changes to existing requirements to place statutory notices in print local newspapers, including the impact this has on keeping residents informed of important matters. The review will also take forward final decisions on the future of alcohol licence notices. More will be announced on the Strategy and the review in due course.
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Mr Angus MacDonald:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code in regulating hon. Members presenting television programmes. \p Ian Murray: The Government is deeply concerned about the blurring of news and fact with opinion and polemic in the broadcast media environment. As the Secretary of State has set out, it is a dangerous place for democracy if people cannot trust what they see and hear.

Ofcom, by law, carries out its duties independently of the Government. Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code includes rules to ensure news, in whatever form, is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality. Following consultation, Ofcom recently updated their guidance to make it clearer to broadcasters that politicians may not present news programmes, unless exceptionally justified. Politicians are not prohibited from presenting other types of programmes, provided that they follow the rules in Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code. The Secretary of State is now considering whether the Government needs to go further to protect audiences.
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Dr Al Pinkerton:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to increase access to (a) arts and (b) culture in (i) Surrey Heath constituency and (ii) Surrey. \p Ian Murray: Arts Council England (ACE) has provided over £11.5 million of funding between 2024 and 2025 to arts and cultural organisations and projects in Surrey. This includes support for projects like The Surrey Youth Arts & Culture Festival, a Surrey County Council partnership led project based in Camberley Library and Camberley Theatre which aims to raise aspirations and break down barriers to engagement for young people accessing creative skills development.

In addition, organisations, such as Farnham Maltings in Surrey are in receipt of over £1.9 million per annum as part of ACE’s National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) programme. This NPO offers a wide range of inclusive events, including theatre, dance, crafts, and workshops to people of all ages and backgrounds across the area.

In February, the Secretary of State announced a new £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund. This includes support to museums, arts and music venues across the country and is a critical step that this Government is taking to help create jobs, boost local economies, and expand access to arts and culture for communities.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Government has responded to the Commissioner for Public Appointment's decision notice on the Independent Football Regulator appointment of November 2025. \p Stephanie Peacock: The department is committed to learning from this process and will work with the Cabinet Office to take forward the Commissioner’s recommendations.
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Mr Louie French:To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has plans to bring channels which stream online under an Ofcom licence under Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code. \p Ian Murray: Ofcom has launched a review of broadcast regulation which will, amongst other things, consider the licensing framework and the impact of the digital environment. This is in recognition that much of our existing legislation was designed for linear television and radio consumption. The Government will engage with Ofcom as that work progresses.

Through the Media Act 2024, the Government will be designating mainstream video-on-demand (VoD) services, bringing them under enhanced regulation by Ofcom. Ofcom will then draft and enforce a new VoD Standards Code, which will be similar to the Broadcasting Code, and which will set appropriate standards for content, including rules on harmful and offensive material, accuracy, fairness, and privacy.
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Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of (a) consultations and (b) reviews conducted by her Department since 4 July 2024. \p Ian Murray: DSIT undertakes a range of reviews, consultations, and wider public engagement to inform effective decision-making and delivery. These costs of these are not separately recorded in a way that would enable us to provide the estimate requested.
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Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the National Cyber Security Centre has made an assessment of the adequacy of information security of the One Login system since July 2024. \p Ian Murray: GOV.UK One Login works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which provides advice to the programme on a range of cyber security topics.
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Matt Western:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2025 to Question 59879 on Cybersecurity: Public Sector, what recent progress she has made on the development of an implementation plan to support the delivery of the Government Cyber Security Strategy. \p Ian Murray: DSIT expects to publish the Government Cyber Action Plan later this Winter. The plan sets out how we will adopt a radical shift in our approach to cyber and digital resilience risks across the public sector, strengthening accountability and investing in central capabilities to mitigate the most severe and systemic risks. It sets out the underlying milestones and a performance framework for measuring Government’s progress towards these goals.
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John Whitby:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing device-level protections to prevent children from sending and viewing nude or explicit images on their phones. \p Kanishka Narayan: Protecting children from harmful content like nude or explicit images is a priority for this government. The government welcomes industry innovation in developing new ways to keep children safe online, such as nudity detection software. We will continue to build evidence about the application and effectiveness of device level controls to ensure we take the action needed to protect children.

We will continue to focus on implementing the protective measures contained within the Online Safety Act, while considering the potential benefits and impacts of this technology and others like it in parallel. Any future interventions will be proportionate and evidence based.
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the strategy Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025 and the target to strengthen the commitment of journal editors to publishing research using alternative methods, what assessment her Department has made of the work being done by the Coalition to Illuminate and Address Animal Methods Bias (COLAAB) to establish editorial policies to address animal methods bias. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Government’s strategy to replace animals in science includes a commitment to support journal editors to publish research using alternative methods. In developing the strategy, officials met with a range of relevant stakeholders, including international journals and publishers, to agree on this commitment and consider how best to take it forward and will continue to do so during its implementation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_53

Navendu Mishra:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2025 to Question 87855, whether her Department has had discussions with Ofcom on price transparency in contracts provided by O2. \p Kanishka Narayan: Further to my answer of 13 November 2025, and following my letter to Ofcom’s CEO of 31st October, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is continuing to engage with Ofcom on pricing transparency.

Ofcom publicly shared disappointment with O2’s decision, which went against the spirit of the January 2025 changes. Ofcom also reminded telecom companies of their regulatory responsibilities to maintain fair pricing and transparency. The Secretary of State has asked Ofcom what more can be done to go further, faster to ensure that people are getting a fair deal.
wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_54
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_54

Matt Western:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Cabinet Office's policy paper entitled National security strategy 2025: security for the British people in a dangerous world, updated on 29 August 2025, when her Department will publish the Research Security Strategy. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Research Security Strategy, led by my Department, will for the first time present a single, coordinated Government view on research security and set out a clear narrative on how a thriving R&D sector, supported by a strong research security culture, is fundamental to secure national security, resilience and economic growth.

Work is progressing and the Strategy will be published when it is complete.
wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_55
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_55

Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the strategy Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025 and the target to strengthen the commitment of journal editors to publishing research using alternative methods, which journal editors and publishers will be involved and what conversations she has already had with journal editors and publishers. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Government’s strategy to replace animals in science includes a commitment to strengthen journal editors’ support for publishing research using alternative methods. In developing the strategy, officials met with journal editors and senior editorial and policy staff from the Journal of Pharmacology; Cardiovascular Research, Frontiers in Physiology and Artery Research; PLOS, Springer Nature, Taylor and Francis, and Wiley. Future discussions on delivering this commitment will not be restricted to these journals or publishers, and we will seek to engage more widely with this sector to drive this commitment forward.
wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_56
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_56

Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made with Ofcom of the potential impact of the Online Safety Act 2023 on children’s exposure to harmful content online. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Online Safety Act requires services to protect children from both illegal and harmful, age-inappropriate content. Protections against illegal content and activity have been in force since March, and protections for children since July of this year.

We are working closely with Ofcom to monitor the Act’s impact and effectiveness. This evaluation programme will feed into the government’s statutory post-implementation review.

Ofcom will publish data on children's online experiences in the first half of 2026. This will be Ofcom’s most relevant set of data on children’s online experiences since the child safety duties came into force.
wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_57
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_57

Helen Maguire:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking with his international counterparts to encourage sustainable uses of space. \p Kanishka Narayan: The government works bilaterally and multilaterally with international partners through the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee to shape and uphold standards, norms and best practices that define the in-orbit regime. We champion adoption of the UN Long-Term Sustainability Guidelines and support capacity-building via the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs to protect access to space for future generations.
wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_58
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_58

Sorcha Eastwood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will make an assessment of the NSPCC's report, Tools to Combat Online Harms, published in November 2025. \p Kanishka Narayan: We welcome the NSPCC’s recent report and are grateful for their longstanding work to improve the evidence base on children’s experiences online. We share concern at the troubling findings and remain committed to protecting children online.

The data within the report predates the Online Safety Act’s child safety duties coming into force, which provide significant mitigations against the harms highlighted by the NSPCC. The government’s focus remains on implementing the Act’s protective measures, and we are actively monitoring its impact and effectiveness. We will continue to engage with emerging evidence to ensure that any future government interventions are proportionate and evidence based.
wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_59
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_59

Sorcha Eastwood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what conversations her Department has had with Ofcom regarding the use of powers under section 121 of the Online Safety Act to detect child sexual abuse and exploitation in private messaging services. \p Kanishka Narayan: DSIT is working closely with Ofcom on issues related to the Online Safety Act, including the implementation of Technology Notice powers under section 121. These powers can and should be used to tackle child sexual exploitation and abuse content shared in private messages.

As part of this work, Ofcom ran a consultation on minimum standards of accuracy for accredited technology and draft guidance for providers, which closed in March 2025. Ofcom will publish their advice to the Secretary of State by April 2026.
wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_60
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_60

Mike Wood:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2025, to Question 71941, on DSIT: Remote Working, and of 10 October 2025, to Question 71222, on Civil Service: Recruitment, for what reason staff in her Department are subject to a 40% workplace attendance policy instead of the 60% minimum agreed by Heads of Department in October 2024. \p Ian Murray: DSIT’s hybrid working policy requires employees to spend between 40% to 60% of their working hours in the office as the norm (with a minimum of 40%). DSIT allows some limited flexibility for minimum office attendance to reflect the size of the available office estate.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_61

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of trends in the level of digital inclusion of children living in temporary accommodation in England. \p Kanishka Narayan: We know that digital exclusion is a complex issue and disproportionately impacts certain demographics.

That is why we launched the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February, which sets out our immediate actions to boost digital inclusion across the UK. Alongside our actions to widen access to devices, drive digital upskilling, break down barriers to participation and get support to people in their own communities, we are also developing robust headline indicators to monitor progress and inform future digital inclusion interventions.
wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_62
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_62

Jim McMahon:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with the university sector on research and development in universities; and what support her Department provides to help progress the commercialisation of research and development outcomes. \p Kanishka Narayan: Recent engagement between the Department and university sector has focused on improving the sustainability of university research, improving the Research Excellence Framework, strengthening research and innovation partnerships and implementing recommendations from the 2023 spin-out review to accelerate commercialisation.

The Department supports commercialisation with significant investment, including through the £280 million a year Higher Education Innovation Fund. Additional proof-of-concept funding of £40 million over five years helps researchers translate ideas into high-growth businesses, ensuring UK universities remain globally competitive in innovation and knowledge exchange.
wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_63
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-11-28)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-11-28 conversation_63

Damian Hinds:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when her Department will publish its response to its recent consultation on Copyright and AI. \p Kanishka Narayan: The consultation on Copyright and AI sought views on several topics relating to the interaction between copyright and artificial intelligence (AI) and received over 11,500 responses. The Government has carefully analysed the responses and will continue to engage extensively on this issue, including through technical working groups.

The Government has committed to publish a progress update by 18 December 2025 and a full report by 18 March 2026.