theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1349
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1349

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress she has made on channelling pensions capital into the UK to support IS-8 sectors. \p Torsten Bell: The Pension Schemes Bill was introduced on 5 June and will implement the reforms outlined in the first phase of the landmark Pensions Review,

The Bill sets out a vision for a pensions market with fewer, larger schemes which can use the benefits of scale to invest in productive assets – including investing in the eight sectors identified in the Industrial Strategy – as well as deliver better outcomes for savers.

These reforms support the Mansion House Accord, an industry-led pledge to invest at least 10 per cent of defined contribution default funds into private markets by 2030, of which at least half is in the UK.

Furthermore, last year the British Business Bank announced the establishment of the British Growth Partnership, designed to crowd in investment from UK pension funds for our most innovative, fastest-growing companies.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Euan Stainbank:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to maintain the UK’s Digital Services Tax until an international agreement on the taxation of multinational digital companies delivers at least an equivalent revenue outcome for the UK. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Digital Services Tax is an interim solution to widely held concerns with the international corporate tax framework, and the UK remains committed to remove it once a global solution on the reallocation of taxing rights is in place.

As the Chancellor has previously said, we will continue to make sure that businesses pay their fair share of tax, including businesses in the digital sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1351

Kate Osamor:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether her Department has considered making the Digital Services Tax a permanent measure. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Digital Services Tax is an interim solution to widely held concerns with the international corporate tax framework, and the UK remains committed to removing it once a global solution on the reallocation of taxing rights is in place.

As the Chancellor has previously said, we will continue to make sure that businesses pay their fair share of tax, including businesses in the digital sector.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1352

Jonathan Davies:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to introduce a new valuation method for the business rates of grassroots music venues above the £500,000 rateable venue that (a) have restricted opening hours and (b) cannot make commercial use of their whole space. \p Dan Tomlinson: Please see the response to UIN 22711 here: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-01-08/22711
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1353

Vikki Slade:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will introduce tax reliefs for small businesses undertaking works to improve their properties’ Energy Performance Certificate ratings to a minimum of an EPC rating of C. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government keeps all tax reliefs under review, in order to ensure they strike the right balance between keeping taxes simple to administer, well-targeted and effective. When considering any new tax reliefs, HM Treasury must ensure that a relief is the most effective and fair lever by which to provide that support. Any new tax, or tax relief, would require a comprehensive evaluation of a variety of factors including (but not limited to) fairness and simplicity for the taxpayer, as well as the government’s fiscal position.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Vikki Slade:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the Answer of 22 September 2025 to Question HL10544 on Digital Technology: Taxation, what discussions she has had with her international counterparts on the development of an international approach to taxing digital services. \p Dan Tomlinson: International discussions have taken place throughout 2025 and continue at OECD level over the Two-Pillar solution.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Zöe Franklin:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she plans to publish the Loan Charge Review. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government commissioned an independent review of the loan charge to help bring the matter to a close for those affected whilst ensuring fairness for all taxpayers. The Government will respond by Autumn Budget 2025.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1356

Nadia Whittome:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changing from a motive or purpose test to an outcome test as outlined in the draft Finance Bill 2025–26 on the volume of charity donations. \p Dan Tomlinson: Charities rightly enjoy generous tax reliefs. However, a small number of charities are receiving tax relief in ways that were not intended by Parliament. Charity tax rules are being strengthened to improve HMRC’s ability to challenge abusive arrangements in an appropriate and proportionate way.

The new charity rules in the Finance Bill 2025-26 for legacy giving will ensure a charity uses tax relieved income for its charitable purposes. They will not require charities to spend gifts from wills within a set timeframe.

The new rules will replace the current purpose test with an outcome test. This will better prevent the abuse of tax reliefs through arrangements designed to give financial advantages to donors in return for their donation.

Updated guidance will support charities and donors, giving clarity and reassurance around the rules and making it clear that the honest majority of donors and charities will remain unaffected by these reforms.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1357

Stuart Andrew:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many new general practice premises projects are awaiting a valuation by the district valuer; and what the average time taken is to complete such valuations. \p Dan Tomlinson: For context, the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) District Valuer Services (DVS) provide property advice to NHS bodies in England, including Current Market Rent (CMR) assessments for GP practice premises, under the NHS (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions.

DVS is instructed in accordance with the Directions, to assess the financial value for money aspect of proposed new lease terms including rent for both existing premises and for third-party development schemes. DVS then provide advice to the Integrated Care Board (ICB) who will utilise our advice to consider their wider Value for Money approval including affordability. The length of time taken to complete a case varies depending on case type and complexity, and negotiations with GPs and their advisors.

Instructions of this nature vary considerably. DVS may be asked to provide advice on the CMR based on initial project proposals or alternatively may be asked to review the scheme, seek further details of the proposal and enter into discussions with the parties prior to providing an opinion of CMR. Therefore, the time taken to provide the valuation will vary. As projects progress and are subject to amendment DVS may provide a number of valuations during the instruction period and instructions may be paused at the request of the ICB, depending on wider circumstances.

Instructions are commenced within a short period from date of receipt and progressed in line with client requirements.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Patrick Hurley:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of safeguards in the Research and Development (R&D) tax relief scheme to prevent misuse by third-party claims agents; and whether she is taking steps to ensure that R&D tax incentives are (a) directed towards genuine innovation and (b) not subject to potential abuse. \p Dan Tomlinson: HMRC has implemented a number of policy and operational changes to the R&D reliefs in recent years to improve overall levels of compliance. This includes mandating digital claims and requiring additional information, which has transformed the ability to risk assess claims, as well as identify and address patterns of non-compliance.

The use of nominations and assignments for R&D tax credit payments have also been restricted, reducing the incentive for agents to submit spurious claims, providing customers with greater visibility over claims made on their behalf and ensuring claimants receive payments directly.

HMRC also investigate and take action against agents who encourage ineligible R&D claims, including issuing penalties, suspending their ability to make claims on behalf of clients and refusing to deal with an agent. This includes criminal action which can lead to arrests being made for R&D tax fraud, as was seen in September 2024.

The latest error and fraud estimates, published in HMRC's Annual Report and Accounts 2024 to 2025, show that the policy and operational changes are proving effective in driving down non-compliance. The estimates show a drop in the error and fraud rates to 9.9% (£759 million) for 2022 to 2023 compared to 17.6% (£1.34 billion) for 2021 to 2022. Illustrative estimates for 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025 show error and fraud is expected to have fallen further to 6.5% (£497 million) and then to 5.9% (£481 million).

HMRC remains committed to tackling error and fraud, whilst also ensuring the claims process is straightforward for genuine claimants and supports the UK’s most innovative businesses.

HMRC has consulted on widening the use of advance clearances for R&D tax relief claims and has recently recruited an R&D Expert Advisory Panel. The Panel will work with HMRC to increase clarity of guidance for claimants and enhance HMRC’s understanding of innovation and developments across key growth sectors.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Callum Anderson:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what metrics her Department will use to measure the success of HMRC’s transformation programme. \p Dan Tomlinson: HMRC will use the metrics published in Annex A of HMRC’s Transformation Roadmap to measure the success of HMRC’s transformation programme. This is available online here: Annex A: HMRC's Transformation Roadmap metrics - GOV.UK
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Lewis Cocking:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what her policy is on reforming stamp duty; and what representations she has received on introducing an annual tax on the capital value of primary residences. \p Dan Tomlinson: SDLT continues to be an important source of government revenue, raising around £12 billion each year to help pay for the essential services the government provides. Any changes to taxes such as SDLT would therefore have to be carefully considered given the potential effect on public finances.

The government keeps all taxes under review as part of the usual tax policy making process.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1361

Stuart Andrew:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many and what proportion of new general practice premises projects have appealed the valuation by the district valuer service; and how many of those appeals were upheld. \p Dan Tomlinson: For context, the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) District Valuer Services (DVS) provide property advice to NHS bodies in England, including Current Market Rent (CMR) assessments for GP practice premises, under the NHS (General Medical Services - Premises Costs) Directions.

DVS is instructed in accordance with the Directions, to assess the financial value for money aspect of proposed new lease terms including rent for both existing premises and for third-party development schemes. DVS then provide advice to the Integrated Care Board (ICB).

The ICB is responsible for the decision on approval of the project reflecting all Value for Money considerations including the DVS advice and their own budgetary targets. The VOA are not aware of any appeals to NHS Resolution in relation to an ICB Value for Money decision relating to new premises development.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Jo Platt:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her plans for business rates reform on grassroots music venues. \p Dan Tomlinson: As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values (RVs) below £500,000, including grassroots music venues, from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support. The Government intends to sustainably fund this by introducing a higher multiplier on all properties with RVs of £500,000 and above.

When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.

In the interim period, for 2025-26, we have prevented the current RHL relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40% up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.

The Transforming Business Rates: Interim Report, published on 11 September, brings together extensive feedback from a broad range of stakeholders and outlines the Government’s next steps to deliver a fairer business rates system that supports investment and is fit for the 21st century.

The Government will provide a further update at the Budget. Transforming the business rates system is a multi-year process. The Government will consider reforms beyond Budget 2025, and any reforms taken forward will be phased over the course of the Parliament.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Cameron Thomas:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to help ensure fair council tax valuations in areas with new residential developments. \p Dan Tomlinson: For Council Tax purposes all homes are assessed to reflect their open market value at a valuation date set in law, which in England is 1 April 1991. This is so all properties, even new ones, are valued on a fair and consistent basis. To band a property, the Valuation Office Agency considers the property details and looks for sales of similar properties (in terms of age, location, size and character) which took place on or around 1 April 1991. Further information about how Council Tax bands are assessed can be found here:

www.gov.uk/guidance/understand-how-council-tax-bands-are-assessed.

The Valuation Office Agency has published a blog article specific to the assessment of new properties here: How we value new properties for Council Tax – Valuation Office Agency
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Victoria Collins:To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of reducing business rates for hospitality venues on high street regeneration in Harpenden and Berkhamsted constituency. \p Dan Tomlinson: The Government is creating a fairer business rates system that protects the high street, supports investment, and is fit for the 21st century.

As set out at Autumn Budget 2024, the Government will introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with ratable values (RVs) below £500,000 from 2026-27. This permanent tax cut will ensure they benefit from much-needed certainty and support.

Ahead of these changes being made, the Government recognises that businesses will need support in 2025/26. As such, the Government has prevented the current RHL relief from ending in April 2025, extending it for one year at 40 per cent up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business, and frozen the small business multiplier.

The final design, including the rates, for the new business rates multipliers will be announced at Budget 2025, so that the Government can factor the revaluation outcomes, as well as the broader economic and fiscal context into decision-making. When the new multipliers are set, HM Treasury intends to publish analysis of the effects of the new multiplier arrangements.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1365

Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department's financial planning anticipates that the costs of running a digital ID scheme would grow as public services become more interlinked. \p Ian Murray: The Government will launch a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year. The eventual total cost and savings will depend on the design, build and delivery of the system, matters which will be included in the consultation.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Seamus Logan:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to protect consumers from a reduction in service received from private services as part of the Digital ID scheme. \p Ian Murray: The government will ensure there is no reduction in services from the digital ID scheme. Indeed, it should deliver exactly the opposite - with easier access to public and private services for more people. We remain committed to commencing and delivering the measures in Part 2 of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which underpin a framework of standards.

We will continue to engage with a range of organisations, including private sector digital verification services, over the coming weeks and months, including as part of the consultation to be launched by the end of this year, to ensure this commitment is delivered.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Graham Leadbitter:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential effectiveness of the proposed Digital ID scheme in locations without consistent internet access; and what steps she is planning to take to support businesses operating in these locations. \p Ian Murray: Digital inclusion is central to our thinking on this. The Government will deliver a comprehensive inclusion programme to help ensure everyone eligible is able to access the new digital ID. This will include targeted support for both people and businesses who may struggle to access or engage with digital services or devices.

The Government will launch a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year, setting out the proposed approach in more detail and seeking views on this. This will include the proposed approach to inclusion.

The Government will work closely with expert stakeholders to make the programme as effective and inclusive as possible.

No one will see a reduction in accessibility to public services as a result of these plans; indeed, accessing public services should become much easier for people instead.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1368

Dr Neil Hudson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of proposals for digital ID on people without smartphones. \p Ian Murray: The Government will deliver a comprehensive inclusion programme to help ensure everyone eligible is able to access the new digital ID. This will include targeted support for those who may struggle to access or engage with digital services or devices. The inclusion programme could also have wider benefits for people who are currently digitally excluded, such as enabling them to access wider benefits of being online such as getting support with the cost of living and the public services they are entitled to.

The Government will launch a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year, setting out the proposed approach in more detail and seeking views on this. This will include the proposed approach to inclusion.

The Government will work closely with expert stakeholders to make the programme as effective and inclusive as possible.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1369

Greg Smith:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she expects the Life Sciences Competitiveness Indicators 2025 report to be published. \p Kanishka Narayan: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 October 2025 to Question UIN 77607.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Lake:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will take steps to ensure that public subsidies provided to data centre partnerships are not used to support Drax Power Station. \p Kanishka Narayan: AI Growth Zones (AIGZs) were announced in January as part of the Prime Minister's AI Opportunities Action Plan.

In April, following an informal call for interest where we received over 200 proposals, we launched the application process to identify AIGZs. We have received 56 applications from across the UK, which we are currently reviewing.

We will continue to follow due process, led by our public criteria, as we take any proposals forward.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing legislation to enable a phase out of animal testing in medical research over the next decade. \p Kanishka Narayan: The legal framework in the UK already requires that animals are only ever used in science where there are no validated alternatives available.

The Government is committed to supporting alternatives to animals in science and will shortly publish a strategy to support their adoption.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1372

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what definition of digital inclusion her Department uses for monitoring progress against the Digital Inclusion Action Plan. \p Kanishka Narayan: We know that digital exclusion is a complex issue and the evidence base is significant but fragmented. Ofcom data from 2025 reports that 5% of households in the UK do not have access to the internet and that, in the South West of England, 7% of the population do not use the internet. That is why we launched the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February of this year, which sets out the first five actions we are taking to boost digital inclusion in every corner of the UK, including the South West of England.

One of these actions was to develop robust headline indicators to monitor progress and inform future digital inclusion interventions. We will evaluate the outcomes of these actions as our understanding of best practice evolves.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1373

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 89 of the Strategic Defence Review, updated on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill on cyber defences. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Strategic Defence Review sets out the high-level priorities for defence across government and highlights that greater attention must be given to the space and cyber and electromagnetic domain. This includes a more proactive posture to harden critical defence functions against cyber attacks.

The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will benefit defence and the priorities of the Strategic Defence Review by strengthening UK’s overall cyber defence by ensuring that the essential and digital services (including some Critical National Infrastructure) on which the UK public, businesses and Government rely, including the Ministry of Defence, are more resilient and secure. The Bill will be introduced when Parliamentary time allows.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the pledge to make the UK one of the world’s top three life sciences economies on phasing out animal testing in Huntingdon constituency. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Government is committed to supporting alternatives to animals in science and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation and adoption, which will consider economic impacts including benefits.

Building on the UK’s strengths as home to world leading research and pharmaceutical businesses, the strategy will support the UK to capitalise on the global non-animal technologies market, estimated to be worth $29.4 billion by 2030, and on the scientific and economic advantages of more human-relevant methods for product development and testing.

No specific assessment on Huntingdon has been done.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Mr Joshua Reynolds:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the cumulative impact of the rollout of digital street infrastructure on (a) public digital connectivity, (b) local amenity, and (c) compliance with telecommunications licensing conditions. \p Kanishka Narayan: As a result of commercial market and publicly funded rollout, over 88% of UK premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, up from less than 10% in 2019. In their Connected Nations Spring update, published 8 May 2025, Ofcom reported that as of January 2025, 5G coverage was available outside of 96% of premises across the UK from at least one operator, up from 69% in May 2022.

The impact of digital infrastructure on local amenity is assessed by local planning authorities on a case by case basis. Planning conditions in legislation ensure that operators minimise the visual impact of new network development on the surrounding area as much as possible.

It is the responsibility of Ofcom to ensure operators comply with their telecommunications licensing conditions.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Gregory Stafford:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate her Department has made of the number of additional telecoms infrastructure sites that will be required to deliver high-quality standalone 5G coverage to all populated areas by 2030. \p Kanishka Narayan: Government’s ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. It is for the mobile network operators to determine how best to deploy the required infrastructure to achieve this.

The need for additional sites will be determined based on a number of variables, including their existing site portfolios and areas of current network congestion. It is likely that additional sites will be required to deliver our ambition, but the mobile network operators are assessing this as part of their commercial delivery plans.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Jess Brown-Fuller:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure (a) effective management and (b) oversight of fibre broadband rollout in Chichester constituency. \p Kanishka Narayan: CityFibre is delivering Project Gigabit contracts across East and West Sussex, as well as Hampshire. These contracts currently include approximately 4,750 premises in the Chichester constituency.

All Project Gigabit contracts include criteria and obligations regarding time and budget against which suppliers’ performance is monitored. These include measures to manage effective build plans, milestones, risks and issues.

My Department holds regular meetings with suppliers to discuss their progress. Each supplier’s performance is measured using monthly contractual reporting, reviewing the build progress and payment claims on each contract.

Failure to deliver to a contract milestone on any build phase of a contract can result in the trigger of a rectification plan process and cessation of payments until the milestone is achieved.

Beyond Project Gigabit, in areas where deployment is commercially viable, we have created a competition-friendly environment to support the roll-out of gigabit broadband.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Charlotte Cane:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she plans to take to support science centres with energy costs. \p Kanishka Narayan: Science and Discovery Centres have an important role in engaging the public, with science and in inspiring young people, particularly those from underrepresented groups, to consider STEM studies and related careers. While some centres do carry out some research in addition to their informal science learning activities their primary role is as visitor centres focused on science as a part of the UK’s culture.

The department and partners such as UKRI have previously provided support for programmes managed by science centres that met the department’s goals but as institutions, their support does not fall within DSIT’s remit.

We want to work with DCMS on a coordinated approach around recognition of science centres as an important part of the UK’s cultural and science engagement ecosystem.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

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Lee Pitcher:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) remote and (b) other hard-to-reach properties are provided access to reliable fibre broadband. \p Kanishka Narayan: Project Gigabit is the Government’s programme to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. Our goal is for nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032, ensuring at least 99% of UK premises can access a gigabit-capable connection.

More than £2.4 billion of Project Gigabit contracts have already been signed to connect over one million more premises with gigabit-capable broadband. These premises fall predominantly in rural areas.

However, our expectation is that some remote premises will remain too expensive to build a gigabit connection to. We continue to consider what can be done to further enable alternatives to fibre connections.
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Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what potential providers in the private sector her Department has had discussions with on the GOV.UK Wallet policy. \p Kanishka Narayan: Since the announcement of the GOV.UK Wallet in January, DSIT has met with providers of digital identity services on multiple occasions. This included events on 14th May and 29th July, the first of which was attended by over 60 representatives from the sector and follow up meetings with individual companies who requested it to discuss technical elements of the GOV.UK Wallet development.

The GOV.UK Wallet is being designed, built and run in-house whilst ​​maintaining​​ a key role for the private sector​, which will provide the data flow between the information in the GOV.UK Wallet, and the organisation (such as a retailer) who needs to check information about the user. Any additional specialist external services may be needed to support delivery and will be subject to the usual competitive processes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1381

Martin Wrigley:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what estimate she has made of the number of people who are considered digitally excluded in (a) the South West and (b) the UK. \p Kanishka Narayan: We know that digital exclusion is a complex issue and the evidence base is significant but fragmented. Ofcom data from 2025 reports that 5% of households in the UK do not have access to the internet and that, in the South West of England, 7% of the population do not use the internet. That is why we launched the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February of this year, which sets out the first five actions we are taking to boost digital inclusion in every corner of the UK, including the South West of England.

One of these actions was to develop robust headline indicators to monitor progress and inform future digital inclusion interventions. We will evaluate the outcomes of these actions as our understanding of best practice evolves.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1382
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1382

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the reported 95% coverage achieved by the Shared Rural Network will be reviewed using Ofcom’s forthcoming reporting methodology based on a 5 Mbps threshold. \p Kanishka Narayan: I refer the hon. Member for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, to the answer of 25 July 2025 to Question 68570: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1383
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1383

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to ensure mobile network operators cannot invoke the all reasonable efforts clause to avoid penalties under the Shared Rural Network agreement in remote or total not-spot areas. \p Kanishka Narayan: I refer the hon. Member for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, to the answer of 25 July 2025 to Question 68571: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1384
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1384

Blake Stephenson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the decision to reduce the number of planned masts under the Shared Rural Network programme on (a) rural mobile coverage and (b) (i) remote and (ii) total not-spot areas. \p Kanishka Narayan: The first part of the Shared Rural Network (SRN), which targeted areas of the UK that have 4G coverage from at least one, but not all, mobile network operators was completed last year and covered a greater area of UK landmass than originally expected, putting it ahead of schedule. 4G coverage across the UK continues to increase and is currently at 95.6%.

This has allowed the Government and the mobile network operators to reassess the delivery strategy for the Government funded elements of the SRN and specifically agree on a more targeted approach to delivery of the total not-spot project focussing publicly funded infrastructure on where it is most needed, in areas primarily where people live, work, or travel, including walking and hiking routes.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1385
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1385

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress she has made in establishing an AI governance framework. \p Kanishka Narayan: AI is a general-purpose technology with a wide range of applications, which is why we believe that most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use by existing regulators. A range of rules already apply to AI systems, including data protection, competition, equality legislation and other sectoral regulation. The government is working with regulators to support them on their AI capability needs.

The most advanced systems pose distinct opportunities and risks. We are committed to ensuring the UK is prepared for the changes AI will bring.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1386

Neil Duncan-Jordan:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the evidential basis is that MBR Acres is critical to pandemic preparedness. \p Kanishka Narayan: The UK government’s approach to pandemic preparedness is contained in the Health and Care Research and Development Framework for Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response which includes the need for a resilient pre-clinical research infrastructure. The necessity for the use of animals in pre-clinical research, where no validated alternative exists, is a product of the Human Medicine Regulations 2012. MBR Acres is the only UK supplier of research dogs, which are currently essential for pre-clinical safety testing, and as such is a critical part of national pre-clinical research infrastructure.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1387
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1387

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what her responsibilities are as electromagnetic spectrum policy lead. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Secretary of State holds overall responsibility for DSIT, the lead department for spectrum policy. Ofcom manages spectrum under two Acts of Parliament (the Communications Act 2003 and the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006).

The Secretary of State directs Ofcom on matters of strategic importance to the Government and provides policy steers through levers including the Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) for telecommunications and spectrum, which Ofcom must have regard for when exercising its functions.

Ofcom also represents the UK at international negotiations on spectrum use, including the World Radio Conference (WRC), and the UK’s positions are informed by government through DSIT.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1388
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1388

Pippa Heylings:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to support universities affected by the withdrawal of Medical Research Council funding. \p Kanishka Narayan: Following a review, the Medical Research Council (MRC) is changing how it supports research within its units and centres to maximise impact. New MRC Centres of Research Excellence (CoRE) investments will improve how MRC coalesces the best science, skills, and leadership and focus on the challenges that will transform biomedical and health research. All existing units can seek funding through the MRC CoRE model and/or transition into regular MRC grant funding. MRC continues to engage with unit staff and their host universities to best support them during this transition.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1389
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1389

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 46 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on strengthening the UK’s asymmetric position in sovereign AI capability. \p Kanishka Narayan: As stated in the National Security Strategy 2025, the Government is delivering on its ambition for the UK to become world-leading in priority areas where we have a strategic edge, such as high-impact sectors like defence, healthcare, and computing. Through the £500 million-backed Sovereign AI Unit, we will combine equity investment with other levers to back British businesses to become national champions in critical domains.   In addition, the UK is scaling sovereign compute to protect national interests and unlock growth. In July, DSIT published the Compute Roadmap that sets out how we will significantly bolster compute capacity by 2030. This builds on our commitment during the Spending Review to fund over £1bn to expand the AI Research Resource at least twentyfold by 2030, and up to £750 million for a new national supercomputer in Edinburgh.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1390
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1390

Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 12 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress he has made on building the national security agenda for (a) AI and (b) other frontier technologies. \p Kanishka Narayan: I refer the hon. Member for Huntingdon to the answer of 15th September 2025 to Questions 72559 and 72560. (Q. National Security: Digital Technology)

DSIT is supporting the implementation of the National Security Strategy by identifying, nurturing, and protecting the UK’s sovereign strengths in science, technology, and innovation, and by aligning objectives and metrics to achieve measurable results.

The Government's response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out a comprehensive programme of work to build national capacity and accelerate adoption. This includes our commitment to 20x public compute, establishing the sovereign AI unit backed by up to £500 million, and our investment into cutting edge research via the AI security institute. We have also committed to publishing an AI for Science strategy.

DSIT has also committed to work with the Ministry of Defence to pull through innovative capabilities to mission at speed and foster a thriving and world-leading UK defence technology sector through collaboration in multiple areas e.g. on the creation of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) and closer working on National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) investment programmes.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1391

Lee Anderson:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions her Department has had with representatives from (a) YouTube and (b) other social media platforms on tackling dangerous (i) DIY, (ii) lifestyle and (iii) recipe content on their platforms. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Online Safety Act is being implemented by this government and introduced measures to tackle illegal content online and harmful content for children.

The child safety duties in the Act are clear on protecting children from harmful content – including dangerous substances and stunts.

Ofcom, who are responsible for enforcing the Act, engage regularly with companies as YouTube. Ministers and officials regularly engage with stakeholders, including Ofcom and social media companies, to strengthen online safety for children and adults.

We are committed to the Act and will not hesitate to go further to protect people, particularly children, where we need to.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1392
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1392

Shaun Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2025 to Question 26719 on Broadband: Telford, what steps her Department is taking to help (a) expand consumer choice and (b) reduce the cost of 5G services in Telford. \p Kanishka Narayan: The Government has created a pro-competition regulatory framework that has allowed more than a hundred alternative networks to enter the fixed broadband market since 2018. This has led to the fast roll-out of fibre across the UK and more choice for consumers. We continue to support a pro-competition environment for the sector, as set out in our draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services, published in July.

The mobile market is highly competitive with three wholesale providers and over 100 retail providers. The Government has no role in setting prices in the mobile market. The average cost per gigabit of data in the UK decreased 8% in real terms between 2023 and 2024.
wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1393
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-10-20)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-10-20 conversation_1393

James McMurdock:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help retain UK-trained STEM graduates in the domestic workforce; and what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of international recruitment offers on talent retention in the UK. \p Kanishka Narayan: DSIT is strengthening retention of UK‑trained STEM graduates through investment in talent and skills, including support for postgraduate researchers via the New Deal for Postgraduate Researchers. DSIT funds studentships and globally prestigious fellowships through UKRI and the National Academies. Analysis of all respondents who completed recent UK R&I Workforce Surveys found a statistically significant drop in the proportion of respondents considering leaving the UK, from 26% in 2022 to 22% in 2024 overall.