theodi/ndl-core-corpus huggingface dataset:
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of reduced USAID funding for malnutrition programmes on the UK's funding for such programmes for (a) children and (b) other people. \p Stephen Doughty: The UK notes the US decision to disband USAID and cancel certain USAID programmes. This is a matter for the US. We are currently working to assess the implications of the US funding pause across all humanitarian and development sectors, including on joint and coordinated programming.

Decisions on how the UK's Official Development Assistance budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. To deliver the most impact on nutrition, the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to integrating nutrition objectives alongside other policy objectives from sectors, such as health, food and agriculture, humanitarian, and climate in our ODA programmes. At the recent Nutrition for Growth (N4G) summit, alongside the Scaling-Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement and other partners, the FCDO launched the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration. Over 80 countries and organisations have signalled their commitment to nutrition integration through the Compact.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Jonathan Davies:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department plans to provide specific (a) support and (b) funding to co-operative enterprises as part of its international aid strategy. \p Stephen Doughty: The Government recognises the important contribution cooperatives have made in serving local communities around the world.

Cooperatives are a tried-and-tested model in international development, that can enable citizens and producers to access services or markets and strengthen their voice in local processes. Cooperatives can enable sustainable and inclusive development centred on self-help, democratic ownership, and concern for the community. The UK has supported cooperatives and producer organisations in developing countries, including, for example in agriculture through funding to the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP), which supports producer organisations, and the Commercial Agriculture for Smallholders and Agribusiness Programme (CASA), which partners with cooperatives and small agribusinesses in low-income countries to improve smallholder farmers' access to markets.

Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Tim Farron:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to amend the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015 to change the target for official development assistance to 0.5 percent of gross national income. \p Stephen Doughty: There are no plans to amend the International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015 to change the target for Official Development Assistance (ODA) to 0.5 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI).

The Government is committed to returning to spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on ODA as soon as fiscal circumstances allow.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of US Government policy on universities on British students studying in the US. \p Stephen Doughty: US domestic policy is a matter for the US Government. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office provides travel advice to inform British nationals so they can make decisions about travelling abroad. We constantly review our travel advice for each country or territory to ensure it includes up-to-date information and advice on the most relevant issues for British people visiting or living there. We stand ready to provide consular support to British nationals abroad 24/7.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has sought advice from the Intelligence Agencies on the potential threat to the integrity of UK democracy from (a) Russia, (b) Iran, (c) China and (d) other hostile states. \p Stephen Doughty: It is the longstanding policy of successive UK Governments that we do not comment on operational intelligence or security matters. The UK Government is committed to defending the integrity of the UK's democracy from all state threats, including through the Defending Democracy Taskforce (DDTF). This cross-government Taskforce brings together Ministers, along with representatives from the intelligence community and law enforcement, to coordinate the Government's work to protect our democracy and call out threats, including from Russia, China, and Iran; as the Minister whose portfolio includes national security, I represent the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at the Taskforce. For example, in December 2023 and March 2024, the Government publicly attributed and sanctioned groups affiliated with Russia and China respectively for interfering in the UK's democracy. The FCDO will continue to work with the DDTF and with the intelligence community to protect the UK's democratic integrity.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications of the US Government's policies on deportation flights to El Salvador for his Department's advice to UK travellers to the US. \p Stephen Doughty: US immigration is a matter for the US Government, in accordance with international law. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office keeps our travel advice under regular review to ensure it provides accurate information to British nationals.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Indian counterpart on Jagtar Singh Johal’s continuing detention following his acquittal 4 March 2025. \p Catherine West: The Foreign Secretary has raised Mr Johal's case with his Indian counterpart on several occasions, most recently on 5 March immediately following the acquittal in one of the cases faced by Mr Johal. We continue to make clear to the Government of India that faster progress is needed towards a full resolution of Mr Johal's cases.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Bob Blackman:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Bangladeshi counterpart on the potential impact of (a) corruption and (b) money laundering on the economy of that country. \p Catherine West: The UK is committed to assisting investigative, prosecuting and judicial authorities in combating international crime. Whilst we cannot comment on any individual asset recovery cases, we have robust illicit finance legislation and instruments which can be used to support asset recovery requests.  The UK is providing support to the Interim Government of Bangladesh through the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre hosted by the UK's National Crime Agency and the International Centre for Asset Recovery. We will continue to support these recoveries to the extent that we can.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Alicia Kearns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has met with the family of Jagtar Singh Johal since his acquittal on 4 March 2025. \p Catherine West: The Government remains committed to working for faster progress on Jagtar Singh Johal's case, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continue to provide support to Mr Johal and his family. The Foreign Secretary last met Mr Johal's family on 30 October 2024 and is due to meet them again in early May.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Ellie Chowns:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the World Bank Group's report entitled Investment Framework for Nutrition 2024, published on 2 October 2024, what steps he is taking to ensure (a) his Department's international development strategy and (b) the allocation of Official Development Assistance prioritise cost-effective nutrition interventions. \p Stephen Doughty: Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments.

To deliver the most impact on nutrition, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is committed to integrating nutrition objectives alongside other policy objectives from sectors, such as health, food and agriculture, humanitarian, and climate in our ODA programmes. At the recent Nutrition for Growth (N4G) summit, alongside the Scaling-Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement and other partners, the FCDO launched the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration. Over 80 countries and organisations have signalled their commitment to nutrition integration through the Compact.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the planned reduction to ODA spending on the UK's commitment to the Agenda 2030 leaving-no-one- behind principle. \p Stephen Doughty: Reducing the overall size of our Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will necessarily have an impact on the scale and shape of the work we do. Decisions on how the ODA budget will be used are being worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. The UK remains committed to Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as the underlying principle to leave no one behind. We will continue to work with partners at home and internationally to accelerate progress towards the SDGs.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he will consider reallocating proposed capital financing for British International Investment to aid spending. \p Stephen Doughty: All development funding, including for British International Investment, will be considered as part of the ongoing multi-year spending review and subsequent resource allocation round.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of Russian activity in Antarctica on (a) the environment, (b) British interests and (c) international interests. \p Stephen Doughty: The Antarctic Treaty preserves Antarctica as a place of peace and science. An original Treaty signatory, Russia remains active in Antarctica. The Treaty requires Parties to share advance notice of their plans in Antarctica and all activities are subject to environmental impact assessments. The UK actively scrutinises plans to ensure compliance with the Treaty's robust environmental principles as well as the prohibition on military training and the establishment of military bases. We recognise the growing global interest in Antarctica, including for economic reasons. The Treaty prohibits commercial mining activity and all Parties, including Russia, reaffirmed their ongoing commitment to this ban in 2023. As with other multilateral fora, we have seen Russian State obstructionism in the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. We will continue to work with international partners to ensure UK interest, and that of our allies, are protected in the Antarctic, and the integrity of all multilateral organisations is preserved. The UK has longstanding interests in Antarctica, and we will continue to maintain a permanent presence on the continent, allowing us to conduct world-leading science, preserve British heritage, and safeguard our sovereignty of the British Antarctic Territory. I recently established a cross-ministerial polar group to consider cross-cutting questions such as these.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43796, whether the topic of US interest in claiming Greenland was discussed. \p Stephen Doughty: I met Greenlandic Foreign Minister Motzfeldt at the Arctic Circle Assembly on 18 October 2024 in Iceland, and on 13 January 2025 in London. We discussed a range of bilateral and Arctic issues. We do not publish the minutes of diplomatic meetings.

As per my response to Parliamentary Question 43796, the Foreign Secretary and I have been clear that Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and the future of their constitutional arrangements is a matter for the people and Government of Greenland, and the Kingdom of Denmark.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answers of 20 December 2024 and 13 March 2025 to Questions 18362 and 32977 on Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office: Cost Effectiveness, what plans his Department has to make efficiency savings in the (a) 2025-26, (b) 2026-27, (c) 2027-28 and (d) 2028-29 financial years, broken down by (i) savings programme, (ii) savings targets for each programme, (iii) productivity improvements identified, (iv) IT programmes and digital innovation programmes identified and (v) workforce changes. \p Catherine West: As agreed with HM Treasury in Phase 1 of Spending Review 2025, The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will make savings of 2 per cent of total Resource budgets in Financial Year 2025-26 (£26 million). The FCDO plans to achieve this through: the completion of multi-year IT programmes saving £24 million including Osprey and Echo 2, sustainability innovations at global Posts saving £1 million, and productivity improvements in Arm's Length Bodies saving £1 million. There are no workforce changes anticipated from the planned savings and efficiencies in Financial Year 2025-26.

As part of Phase 2 of the Spending Review, all departments are expected to meet savings and efficiencies of more than 5% of their 2025-26 budgets by the end of the period (2028-29). Detail of these proposals will be confirmed once the Spending Review concludes.
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Priti Patel:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Prime Minister discussed the (a) UK's future ODA plans and (b) reparatory justice for (i) Barbados and (ii) the Caribbean when he met the Prime Minister of Barbados on 4 April 2025. \p Catherine West: I refer the Rt Hon Member to the readout of the meeting on gov.uk.
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Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the merits of placing China on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. \p Catherine West: No decision has been made in relation to specifying China on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme. As the Security Minister confirmed in Parliament on 1 April, countries are considered separately, and decisions are made based on a robust evidence base. It would not be appropriate to speculate on which countries may or may not be specified in the future, but any changes will be announced in Parliament in the usual way.
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Wendy Morton:To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the value for money of the BBC World Service in terms of (a) reach and (b) impact, when compared with spending by other states on comparable services. \p Catherine West: The Government highly values the World Service, which makes a significant contribution to UK soft power. Soft power indices and perception studies regularly highlight the BBC's soft power attraction. Tapestry Research carried out an international study in 2022, finding that international BBC consumers, particularly 'influential' audiences: have a more positive attitude towards the UK; are more likely to use UK goods and suppliers; and more likely to invest in the UK, and visit the UK for leisure, study, or business.

The World Service Licence requires that the World Service provides value for money. The BBC tracks World Service performance against impact and quality metrics compared with global comparators across multiple markets. The World Service continues to outrank other international news providers on trust, reliability and independence. It also rates highest for helping audiences to understand and engage with news topics.

The HMG uplift for the World Service in 2025/26 takes our total contribution to £137m. The uplift ensures that the World Service will continue operating all 42 language services. This is a significant increase in an exceptionally tight fiscal situation, clearly demonstrating the value that the Government places on the World Service.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he plans to review the decision not to continue the appeal against the Northern Ireland High Court’s declaration of incompatibility regarding sections 46 and 47 of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. \p Hilary Benn: The High Court found sections 46 and 47 of the Legacy Act to be incompatible with the UK’s international human rights commitments. This Government takes such matters extremely seriously, and the provisions therefore need to be repealed. The Government is carefully exploring how to lawfully address this complex issue alongside our clear commitment to implement legacy mechanisms that are fully compliant with human rights.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department has made an assessment of the value for money of the cost of public inquires on Troubles-related legacy issues in Northern Ireland in the context of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 (Remedial) Order. \p Hilary Benn: The Northern Ireland Office works closely with His Majesty's Treasury to ensure value for money for the tax payer on all of the policies it delivers, including public inquiries.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, which (a) veterans groups and associations and (b) other stakeholder groups his Department consulted before deciding to not to continue the Supreme Court appeal on the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023; and what the nature of their input was. \p Hilary Benn: In the Dillon and Others case, the Northern Ireland High Court made a number of section 4 Human Rights Act declarations of incompatibility in respect of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023. The Government takes its human rights obligations extremely seriously and did not take forward an appeal.

The Government is appealing to the Supreme Court on two such declarations that were subsequently made by the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.

In consulting over legacy legislation, the Northern Ireland Office regularly engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including veterans.
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Mr Mark Francois:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether he has committed to restoring the Loughall inquest since his meeting with Loughall Truth on 24 March 2025. \p Hilary Benn: The Government is committed to repeal and replace the almost universally opposed - and in many respects, unlawful - Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy & Reconciliation) Act 2023.

As part of this commitment, the Government has been consistently clear that we will propose measures to allow inquests previously halted by the Act to proceed, as set out in my written ministerial statements of 29 July 2024 and 7 October 2024, and in my oral statement of 4 December 2024.

The Government is continuing to engage with all interested parties in a spirit of openness as we seek to implement legacy mechanisms that are compliant with human rights, and can command confidence across communities.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many (a) phones, (b) laptops and (c) other electronic devices have been lost by their Department since 5 July 2024. \p Hilary Benn: The following table shows the number of lost devices in the Northern Ireland Office since 5 July 2024.

Breakdown of department-issued equipment type

Number of lost items

Mobile phones

4

Laptops

1

Other devices

0
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Andrew Rosindell:To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps he has taken to with relevant authorities to support Northern Ireland’s tourism industry. \p Hilary Benn: Northern Ireland remains a highly popular destination for both UK and international visitors. In 2023, the tourism sector contributed approximately £1.2 billion to Northern Ireland’s economy, with 5.4 million visitors. In March, I met with representatives of the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance to discuss the opportunities and challenges that its members are facing.

The Northern Ireland Executive is ultimately responsible for tourism in Northern Ireland. I welcome the Department for the Economy’s efforts to boost the impact of tourism across Northern Ireland through its 10-year Tourism Vision and Action Plan.
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Neil O'Brien:To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, how many confirmations there were in each year since 1994. \p Marsha De Cordova: Data for 2024 is still being analysed and is not yet available for publication.
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Paul Holmes:To ask the Member for Battersea, representing the Church Commissioners, what representations the Church Commissioners have received on the occupancy of the Bishop's Palace in Winchester. \p Marsha De Cordova: No representations have been received by the Church Commissioners regarding the occupancy of Wolvesey, the Bishop’s Palace at Winchester.  Work is being carried out to the building, as part of its regular maintenance review. Temporary accommodation for the Bishop and his family has been located nearby for the duration of the work.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 41450 on Electoral Commission: Companies House, whether the Electoral Commission has made requests to Companies House to obtain additional information under the provisions in the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Electoral Commission has not made any requests to Companies House under the provisions in the Economic Crime and Transparency Act 2023.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024 on the work of the Electoral Commission. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Commission regularly assesses the impact of legislation on its work, including the Elections and Elected Bodies (Wales) Act 2024. The Act makes a number of changes to electoral law in Wales, including the establishment of an Electoral Management Board, new provisions on voter registration, powers for a wider range of electoral innovation pilots, and alignment with legislation for reserved elections in some areas such as accessibility, undue influence, and notional expenditure.

The Commission has been working with the Welsh Government and the wider electoral community to ensure that changes to elections in Wales are delivered successfully. It will develop updated guidance and resources for electoral administrators, campaigners and voters to reflect the changes that are being introduced. The Commission also has a duty to evaluate any pilots that are held in Wales.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 2 April 2025 to Question 42467 on Electoral Commission: Companies House, whether the Electoral Commission plans to access Companies House data. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Commission regularly accesses data published by Companies House as part of its work enforcing political finance laws. It will make decisions on requests for additional data as appropriate to its enforcement work.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 7 April 2025 to Question 43087 on Elections: Expenditure, what guidance the Electoral Commission has given on whether items of notional expenditure below £50 count towards the aggregate spending limit. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Commission’s guidance for candidates states that items provided for free or at a non-commercial discount with a value of £50 or less are not regarded in law as notional spending. They do not need to be recorded on a candidate’s spending return or counted towards their spending limit.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what guidance the Electoral Commission issues to candidates on declaring notional expenditure associated with policing and security while campaigning in the regulated period as an election expense. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Commission’s guidance on candidate spending laws explains that reasonable expenses relating to the protection of persons or property, such as hiring security, do not count as candidate spending. It therefore does not need to be declared on a candidate’s spending return.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Right hon. Member for Kenilworth and Southam, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2025 to Question 45675 on Candidates: Expenditure, whether the Electoral Commission releases candidate returns under the Freedom of Information Act. \p Sir Jeremy Wright: The Electoral Commission does not release candidate spending returns under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Representation of the People Act 1983 requires returning officers to make candidate spending returns available for two years. As such, spending returns are considered reasonably accessible by other means, and so are exempt from disclosure by the Commission under section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act.
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Layla Moran:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help increase the numbers of international scientists working (a) at Oxford University and (b) in the Oxford biotech cluster. \p Feryal Clark: The UK offers ambitious funding for international talent through prestigious fellowships and professorships from UKRI and the National Academies. Our competitive immigration offer, including fast-track visa routes like the Global Talent visa, facilitates high-skilled migration in key sectors, ensuring that universities like the University of Oxford benefit from global talent.

The government recognises the vital role of international specialists in the UK’s Life Sciences sector and supports the Oxford biotech cluster through initiatives like the Global Talent Network, which attracts talented individuals worldwide. In addition, DSIT is collaborating with stakeholders to unlock the Oxford-Cambridge Corridor's potential for growth, investment, and job creation.
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Kevin Hollinrake:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will have discussions with Ofcom on removing its use of historic data from European Parliamentary elections in its most recent publication entitled Evidence of past electoral support and evidence of current support ahead of the various elections taking place on 1 May 2025, published on 6 March 2025. \p Sir Chris Bryant: We do not intend to discuss this with Ofcom, as it is operationally independent from the government and responsible for its own publications.
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Ben Obese-Jecty:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress he has made on the installation of a subsea data connection for the Falkland Islands. \p Sir Chris Bryant: The installation of subsea telecoms cables is generally a commercial enterprise. DSIT is not currently engaged in any work to create a connection to the Falkland Islands.
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Dr Scott Arthur:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 27 January 2025 to Question 25126, whether his Department has now published a breakdown of spending on brain cancer research in 2023-24 for each UKRI body. \p Feryal Clark: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects and strategic investments, including research investigating the causes for and underpinning the development of treatments for Brain Cancer. The Medical Research Council (MRC) spent £2.86 million on brain cancer research in funding year 2023-24. MRC, Innovate UK, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council all support research in this area. UKRI also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally.
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Rupert Lowe:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what (a) religious and (b) cultural holidays are observed by their Department. \p Feryal Clark: The UK Civil Service only formally observes the government-set bank holidays.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_721

Victoria Collins:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to take steps to regulate unrealistic beauty standards in online content aimed at younger children. \p Feryal Clark: Under the Online Safety Act, platforms and search services that are likely to be accessed by children must prevent children of all ages from encountering content that promotes, encourages or provides instructions for eating disorders.

Providers must also consider how algorithms can impact children’s exposure to harmful content and mitigate this risk.

Ofcom’s draft children’s code of practice also acknowledge that body image content may be linked to significant harm arising from body or image dissatisfaction.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_722
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_722

Saqib Bhatti:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what progress he has made on establishing the Digital Inclusion Action Committee. \p Sir Chris Bryant: The Digital Inclusion Action Committee is an external advisory body that will work closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It will be made up of national and local experts to tackle digital exclusion. Its role is to scrutinise, steer and help determine the work of the government in reducing digital exclusion in every part of the UK.

The Expression of Interest closed on 2nd April, and selection is underway, led by Baroness Armstrong. Attendees are expected to be announced in Spring 2025. The first meeting will take place shortly thereafter.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_723

Calum Miller:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department is considering to attract high quality research teams from United States' universities. \p Feryal Clark: We recognise and value the US as a key partner in R&D and look forward to continuing our collaboration on shared priorities to drive economic growth and technological advancement. Both the UK and US are committed to facilitating the exchange of talent and students to enhance R&D capabilities.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_724
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_724

Sir Julian Lewis:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what privacy safeguards exist to prevent identifiable peoples' sequenced DNA being passed to third parties when companies which offer family or other research services to members of the public (a) are sold and (b) go into liquidation; and what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing stronger safeguards. \p Sir Chris Bryant: The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA) already require organisations to process personal data lawfully, fairly, transparently and securely, unless certain limited exemptions apply. Organisations are also required to meet additional conditions and safeguards when processing ‘special category’ data, or data that is more sensitive, such as DNA data.

The UK’s data protection legislation does not automatically prohibit the selling or sharing of personal data with third parties. Instead, it sets out a framework within which data sharing may safely take place.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s Data Protection Regulator, has published a statutory Code of Practice on data sharing which contains practical guidance for organisations on how to share data fairly and lawfully, available at: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/data-sharing/data-sharing-a-code-of-practice/.

The ICO has also published guidance to help organisations processing special category data, available at: https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/lawful-basis/a-guide-to-lawful-basis/special-category-data/.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_725
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_725

Chi Onwurah:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how Innovate UK's Tech Readiness Levels relate to investment readiness. \p Feryal Clark: Whilst some UKRI councils use Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) to determine funding eligibility, Innovate UK takes a more flexible approach, as there is no standardised way of applying them across sectors or non-technological projects. Innovate UK instead uses categories determined by subsidy control regulations: fundamental research, feasibility studies, industrial research, or experimental development. Innovate UK’s programmes support businesses to develop new products and services, which enhances their ability to secure investment. An example of this is the Investor Partnerships programme, which provides grant funding with aligned equity investment. Through this model, £1.44bn of private sector leverage has been achieved from £100m in grant awards.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_726
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_726

Alison Hume:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that people in rural areas remain connected during the digital switch over. \p Sir Chris Bryant: The digital switchover is an industry led programme, but we do not want anyone to be excluded by virtue of the programme. That is why customers, including in rural communities, will not have their landlines migrated to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) without an available stable internet connection (VoIP only requires a minimum speed of 0.5mbps) and communication providers agreed a checklist of steps to protect vulnerable customers during the migration in November 2024. This includes landline dependent customers in rural communities.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_727
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_727

Anna Gelderd:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment has he made of the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act in tackling forums and websites that promote suicide methods. \p Feryal Clark: Under the Online Safety Act, in-scope services, regardless of their size, must prevent all users from encountering illegal suicide content, and children from harmful suicide content. On 9 April, Ofcom launched an investigation into whether the provider of a pro-suicide forum failed to comply with its duties under the Act. This first enforcement action taken by Ofcom demonstrates that harmful suicide forums are a high priority for enforcement.
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Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_728

Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department has to prevent social media companies from removing provenance metadata from content posted online. \p Feryal Clark: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is working with other government departments and agencies to explore the efficacy of technologies that seek to use provenance and metadata to improve the transparency of AI-generated and modified content posted online.

As part of this work, we will be engaging with a range of stakeholders, including relevant online services, to understand further the role that these technologies can play in delivering a trusted online environment and the role these technologies should play in keeping users safe online.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_729
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_729

Jess Asato:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to promote the use of provenance metadata on content shared online to help reduce disinformation. \p Feryal Clark: Government recognises the potential for online mis- and disinformation to undermine public trust in the information environment. Mis- and disinformation should be tackled through a multi-faceted, whole of society approach. Solutions that enable users and institutions to critically evaluate information online, including discerning whether a piece of content is AI-generated, are a key part of this approach.

We recognise the interest in the use of provenance and metadata to identify AI-generated and modified content. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is working with other government departments and agencies to explore these technologies, alongside other technical measures.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_730
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_730

Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of (a) requiring online gaming platforms to join recognised age-rating frameworks and (b) allowing Ofcom to investigate serious individual complaints about gameplay. \p Feryal Clark: While there is no legal requirement for online games to display ratings, most major storefronts require the display of PEGI ratings. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport works closely with the Games Rating Authority in the UK to promote and encourage the display of age ratings online.

We expect all platforms, including user-to-user games services in scope of the Online Safety Act, to comply with the law. This currently requires all user-to-user and search services to have systems and processes in place to remove illegal content, and in the coming months, to protect children from harmful content.

The government keeps all legislation under review and will act where necessary to keep people safe online.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_731
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_731

Phil Brickell:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of mobile phone signal coverage in Chew Moor; and what steps he is taking to improve mobile phone signal coverage in Bolton West constituency. \p Sir Chris Bryant: Ofcom does not publish coverage data at the local level, but their WebChecker indicates that while outdoor 4G coverage is available from all four mobile operators in Chew Moor, large parts of the village have limited 4G indoor coverage. According to Ofcom’s Connected Nations report (published on 5 December 2024) 99% of the Bolton West constituency has 4G geographic coverage from all four mobile operators, while 5G is available from at least one operator outside almost 100% of all premises. I have raised my concerns about the accuracy of their coverage reporting with Ofcom and I welcome their continuing efforts to make improvements.

The government wants all areas of the UK to benefit from good quality mobile coverage. Our ambition is for all populated areas, including Chew Moor, to have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030.

We work closely with the mobile industry and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework to support investment and competition in the market.
wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_732
Source: hansard.parliament.uk (2025-04-29)

UK Parliament Hansard data: wrans/answers2025-04-29 conversation_732

Mike Martin:To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of requiring social media platforms to (a) implement advanced virtual private network (VPN) detection technology to identify users accessing platforms through VPNs and (b) block VPN users' access, in the context of the risk of anonymous (i) exploitation and (ii) grooming of children online. \p Feryal Clark: The Online Safety Act will place strict ‘illegal content’ duties on online platforms to protect children from being groomed by online predators, and to tackle child sexual exploitation and abuse content on their services.

Ofcom sets out steps providers can take for these duties in draft codes of practice. It can assess the merits of any proposed measures for its codes, including those that relate to VPNs. The first codes for the ‘illegal content duties’ came into force in March 2025 and Ofcom has said it will develop these iteratively.