← Back to feed
George Freeman
CON✓ Current MP
🏛️ Mid Norfolk
📅 2010–2025
910 speeches on Hansard record
✅ Votes attended: 76.03% (#238 of 650 MPs)
🟢 Rebelled against party: 0.64%
📝 Topics: Common Land, Bats: Nature Conservation, Poultry: EU Law
🤝 Member of 15 All-Party Parliamentary Groups
Written Answers
← Back to speeches
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will have discussions with the (a) UK Space Agency and (b) Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on using UK Earth Observation data for greenhouse gas emissions tracking.
View full answer ↗
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has for the use of Earth observation data; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of using it to support the (a) measurement, (b) monitoring and (c) setting of UK net zero emissions targets.
View full answer ↗
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what plans he has for the data collected by the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measurement and Modelling Advancement (GEMMA) programme; and if he will make it his policy to integrate that data into greenhouse gas emissions statistics.
View full answer ↗
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether it is his policy to align gene-editing legislation with the European Union.
View full answer ↗
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has discussed the UK’s gene-editing legislation with his counterparts in the European Union.
View full answer ↗
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to fully enact the provisions of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.
View full answer ↗
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to use earth observation data to help support the (a) measurement, (b) monitoring and (c) setting of (i) agricultural, (ii) landfill and (iii) land use contributions to the UK's net zero emissions targets.
View full answer ↗
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to paragraph 3.68 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, what steps he plans to take to monitor the potential impact of the £20.4 billion R&D investment on economic and R&D business…
View full answer ↗
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for the future of the Geospatial Commission's Earth observation data pilot.
View full answer ↗
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for the UK Space Agency's methane monitoring programme.
View full answer ↗
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has as chair of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites to support development of methane emissions measurement best practices.
View full answer ↗
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for future (a) funding of and (b) data sharing by the Earth observation data hub.
View full answer ↗
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to continue investment in national space data activities.
View full answer ↗
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to measure the private sector investment in the research and development economy by (a) sector, (b) cluster and (c) departmental spend.
View full answer ↗
The proportion of officials in Department for Science, Innovation and Technology that are graded as senior civil servant 2 is 1.4%.The proportion of officials that are women, on a full-time equivalent basis is 52.5%.
View full answer ↗
The proportion of officials in Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on temporary contracts that are women is 50%.
View full answer ↗
UK applicants will be able to participate in the full Horizon Europe programme and UK entities are eligible to receive grant funding through all instruments of the European Innovation Council. The UK is not part of the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund – which provides equity finance…
View full answer ↗
The Government wants to enable collaborative international research, while ensuring universities engage with all companies, including Chinese genomics companies, in a way that takes account of national security concerns and is compliant with the UK’s security policies and regulations. As part…
View full answer ↗
This year the UK Space Agency has awarded £335,000 funding to the North East space cluster, including to the North East Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications, which is unlocking new opportunities in the North East and to date has helped to secure £12m investment into the…
View full answer ↗
The design and implementation of the REF 2028 is being carried out by the devolved funding bodies of the UK nations, including Research England in England. During this process the funding bodies have engaged widely with stakeholders, including many of the members of the Universities Policy…
View full answer ↗
The 2023 Cyber Security Breaches Survey shows 32% of small businesses and 31% of micro businesses identified having suffered a cyber breach or attack in the past 12 months. This is a decline on 2022, however we believe this may be due to smaller businesses deprioritising cyber security and being…
View full answer ↗
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the UK Government Office for Science are working with all government departments to collect and publish sub-national data on their R&D spending. This will allow us to track progress on the R&D Levelling Up mission to increase domestic public investment…
View full answer ↗
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service. The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms…
View full answer ↗
The figures from the European Commission's Horizon 2020 Dashboard suggest that over 2,000 UK-based private-for-profit entities received almost €1.40 billion from Horizon 2020.
View full answer ↗
On 7th September the Prime Minister announced a new UK- EU agreement on the UK’s association to Horizon Europe from 2024. This means UK businesses and researchers can participate confidently in the world’s largest programme of research cooperation. In addition, support for businesses…
View full answer ↗
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is an independent body. Its most recent release on business enterprise research and development (BERD) was part of an on-going programme of work to improve economic statistics and data capture. The ONS figures provided the best estimate of R&D expenditure at…
View full answer ↗
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is an independent body. The recent release of the business enterprise research and development (BERD) statistics was part of an ongoing initiative to enhance economic statistics and data collection, which is still underway. This publication provided the most…
View full answer ↗
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service. The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms…
View full answer ↗
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service. The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms…
View full answer ↗
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service. The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms…
View full answer ↗
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service. The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms…
View full answer ↗
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service. The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms…
View full answer ↗
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service. The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms…
View full answer ↗
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service.The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms…
View full answer ↗
On 2 October, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a value for money audit of all EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) spending in the Civil Service. The audit will dovetail with the public sector productivity review, aiming at delivering a leaner, more efficient government. The audit forms…
View full answer ↗
Government’s approach is to actively support and fund the development and dissemination of techniques that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research (the 3Rs), primarily through funding from UK Research and Innovation for the National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs) -…
View full answer ↗
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is the lead department for OneWeb and its associated policy and is responding in place of the Department for Business and Trade. HM Government made an equity investment of $500 million in OneWeb in 2020, securing a strategic investment…
View full answer ↗
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is the lead department for OneWeb and its associated policy and is responding in place of the Department for Business and Trade. According to last available data from June 2023, the Chinese Investment Corporation (CIC) held 7,561,000…
View full answer ↗
On 7th September the Prime Minister announced a new UK- EU agreement on the UK’s association to Horizon Europe from 2024. This means UK businesses and researchers can participate confidently in the world’s largest programme of research cooperation. In addition, support for businesses…
View full answer ↗
The government’s priority is to ensure the UK’s R&D sector gets the right support to allow them to continue their ground-breaking research and international collaboration. UKRI has to date issued grant offer letters totalling approximately £1.36bn through the Horizon Europe…
View full answer ↗
We are confident that we will be able to use the Horizon Europe programme to collaborate on areas of shared interest. The UK-EU joint statement of 7 September 2023 includes the EU’s commitment to assess UK participants’ access to strategic parts of the Horizon Europe programme on equal…
View full answer ↗
The National Space Council was first formed as a Cabinet Committee in June 2020 to oversee Government policy on Space. Since 2023, it has operated as an inter-ministerial group, tasked with considering all issues relating to prosperity, diplomacy and national security in, through and from…
View full answer ↗
The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology continues to engage with the Office for National Statistics(ONS) on the development of the business enterprise research and development statistics, as they update and improve their data collection methodologies. The Office for National Statistics…
View full answer ↗
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), on behalf of UK Research Innovation (UKRI), has committed to delivering at least £50m of funding for Creative Industries Clusters as signalled in the Creative Sector Vision. The first wave of the programme supported clusters in the South West,…
View full answer ↗
All DSIT Ministers are responsible for overseeing work on long-term strategic challenges within their portfolio. The Secretary of State is ultimately accountable for long-term strategic challenges for the entire Department. DSIT’s work is underpinned by long-term strategies, most notably the…
View full answer ↗
On this visit, the Director of Digital Infrastructure’s expenses on flights were £218.44 and accommodation £211.09.
View full answer ↗
The Science and Technology Framework sets out a vision for our research and development (R&D) investment to match the scale of our ambition, and to catalyse the private sector to do the same. We are working closely with the Department for Business and Trade to identify and promote UK innovation…
View full answer ↗
We are committed to building on record public investment in research and development to increase private investment across the country, including in Northern Ireland. For example, since we published the Innovation Strategy, Innovate UK has introduced an online Innovation Hub and expanded its EDGE…
View full answer ↗
The Government is committed to working closely with the Devolved Administrations to realise the ambitions of the Science and Technology Framework and to ensure it works for the whole of the UK. Businesses and universities across the UK are eligible to apply for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)…
View full answer ↗
The Government has negotiated a bespoke deal in the UK’s national interest. The Secretary of State made a statement to the House of Commons on 7 September 2023 and set out why the bespoke deal negotiated by the Government was the best outcome for the UK research and innovation sector. The…
View full answer ↗
The Department has no current plans to fund this. The Department of Health and Social Care holds the responsibility for future pandemic preparedness. Pandemic Preparedness is an area the government keeps under constant review and our strategic approach to pandemic preparedness evolves in response…
View full answer ↗
DSIT was set up in February 2023. Since then, DSIT’s key achievements include:Launching the Science and Technology Framework as our strategic vision, which sets out 10 priority areas for action to make the UK a science and technology superpower by 2030.Establishing the Frontier AI Task Force,…
View full answer ↗
As set out in the Pioneer Prospectus published April 2023, the government would have committed up to £14.6billion to implement and run the Pioneer Programme until 2027/28. This was part of a wider package of contingency measures the government developed in the event that the UK had been unable…
View full answer ↗
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's (BEIS) annual accounts for 2022-23 are being prepared by a cross departmental team covering the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and the Department for Business and…
View full answer ↗
The Government will not publish a value for money assessment. The Government has negotiated a bespoke deal in the UK’s national interest. The Secretary of State made a statement to the House of Commons on 7 September 2023 and set out why the bespoke deal negotiated by the Government was the…
View full answer ↗
On 7th September the Prime Minister announced a new UK- EU agreement on the UK’s association to Horizon Europe and Copernicus. This is a landmark moment for scientific and space collaboration between the EU and the UK. Horizon Europe strengthens UK science and boosts economic growth. The…
View full answer ↗
The Science and Technology Framework, published in March, sets out a strategic vision for the UK across priority areas to 2030 to meet the UK’s science superpower ambition. Much of DSIT’s work is underpinned by long-term strategies including the UK Life Sciences vision and our recently…
View full answer ↗
This grant supported the delivery of the National Cyber Security Strategy objective to create the right ecosystem in the UK to develop and sustain a cyber security sector that can meet our national security demands. This included the creation of the UK Cyber Security Council. Following public…
View full answer ↗
We endeavour to respond to all Subject Access Requests (SAR) received within the Statutory timescales listed within the DPA2018 and UK GDPR. DSIT was founded in February 2023 so there is not yet enough data to comment meaningfully on performance or response times. Making the most of the…
View full answer ↗
The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of correspondence, particularly from Parliamentarians. As per the Cabinet Office’s Guide to Handling Correspondence on gov.uk, departments and agencies should aim to respond to correspondence within a 20-working day…
View full answer ↗
DSIT was founded in February 2023 so there is not yet enough data to comment meaningfully on performance or response times. Making the most of the opportunities presented by the formation of a new department, the new team is working to maximise efficiency and innovation. Performance is regularly…
View full answer ↗
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT; of which Government Office for Science is a part) is a relatively new department and as such has not responded to any Public Inquiries. It is however supporting and responding to requests from the current COVID-19 Public Inquiry.
View full answer ↗
As a newly formed Department, we are developing employee reports. Employee data on joiners and leavers exist, other measures including length of service will be developed in time.For the financial year 2023/24, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has had c.100 joiners and c.30…
View full answer ↗
Services delivered by the Department must meet level AA of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. We retain an accessibility subject matter expert to provide guidance on best practice. Our Digital team works in partnership with policy officials so digital services adhere to user-centred design…
View full answer ↗
The Government attaches great importance to the effective and timely handling of Written Parliamentary Questions. There are three types of Written Parliamentary Question. The Cabinet Office’s Guide to Parliamentary Work sets out the timelines departments should seek to meet. This can be found…
View full answer ↗
This grant supported the delivery of the National Cyber Security Strategy, specifically the objective to create the right ecosystem in the UK to develop and sustain a cyber security sector that can meet our national security demands. Specifically, this pilot supported the growth of the sector…
View full answer ↗
This grant supported the delivery of the National Cyber Security Strategy, specifically the objective to create the right ecosystem in the UK to develop and sustain a cyber security sector that can meet our national security demands. The Cyber Exchange platform helps organisations discover…
View full answer ↗
This grant supported the delivery of the National Cyber Security Strategy, specifically the objective to create the right ecosystem in the UK to develop and sustain a cyber security sector that can meet our national security demands. Specifically, this pilot supported the growth of the sector…
View full answer ↗
Being cyber secure and protecting personal data underpins everything we do in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). In accordance with the Government Cyber Security Strategy we are working to ensure our critical functions will be significantly hardened to cyber attack by…
View full answer ↗
On 7th September, the Prime Minister announced that the UK would associate to Horizon Europe. The Government has negotiated a bespoke deal in the UK’s national interest and UK scientists can participate confidently in Horizon Europe, the world’s largest programme of research cooperation.
View full answer ↗
Survey work is underway. For now, the focus is on bringing together the information we hold about the Government estate into one place. This work is being coordinated by the Office for Government Property.
View full answer ↗
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is committed to closing the digital divide and meeting the government’s commitment that nobody should be left behind in the digital age. The 2014 Digital Inclusion Strategy, and the four pillars it sets out, remains as relevant today as it…
View full answer ↗
The Met Office is one of the world’s leading meteorological services and maintains a detailed ‘forecast accuracy roadmap’ demonstrating how it will deliver improvements over the next 5 years across timescales ranging from 0 hours to 7 days ahead. Improvements focus on Science and…
View full answer ↗
The Government has considered in broad terms the link between volume-based rebate payments in our medicine pricing schemes and various kinds of investment in our Impact Assessment of updates to the Statutory Scheme for branded medicines pricing, which operates alongside voluntary scheme for branded…
View full answer ↗
The National Cyber Security Centre delivers a range of initiatives through CyberFirst, including a schools and colleges recognition programme, the undergraduate bursary scheme, and the CyberFirst Girls Competition for 12-13 year olds. As part of this effort, DSIT also delivers the Cyber Explorers…
View full answer ↗
The reduction in the estimated value of inward life sciences foreign direct investment and in equity finance raised in 2022 was not unique to the UK. Other global business environments, such as the USA, also saw falls in investment and equity raised. This was in large part due to changes in the…
View full answer ↗
UK Research and Innovation funds research and innovation on a competitive basis, with individual applications being assessed by independent experts. In general, funding is not ring-fenced for specific conditions partly because the causes, treatments and cures for different diseases often overlap.…
View full answer ↗
The Department has received HMT approval to launch the Official Development Assistance (ODA) component of the International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF). ISPF will have up to £200 million ODA this Spending Review to deliver research and innovation partnerships with developing countries.…
View full answer ↗
The Young Innovators Awards programme is delivered by Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation. The grant spend for Young Innovators Awards in financial year 2022/23 was approximately £1.4 million. This includes spend associated with Young Innovators Awards 2021/22, Young Innovators…
View full answer ↗
Government’s approach is to actively support and fund the development and dissemination of techniques that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research (the 3Rs), primarily through funding from UK Research and Innovation for the National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs) -…
View full answer ↗
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer my Rt. Hon. Friend the Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education gave to her question 193653 on 20 July 2023.Higher Education providers are independent, autonomous institutions responsible for their own decisions on staffing issues,…
View full answer ↗
The Government welcomes the Committee’s advice on the use of the forced swim test. The report and its recommendations are being carefully considered, and the Government will respond in due course.The National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs) recently published a paper in collaboration with the…
View full answer ↗
The Government wants to enable collaborative research, while ensuring our science and technology base is protected. Government has strengthened support to the research sector considerably in recent years, including launching the National Protective Security Authority's Trusted Research campaign.…
View full answer ↗
The Pioneer prospectus sets out these proposals and was developed with input from researchers and businesses across the UK. Since publication, the Government has sought further input from researchers and businesses as we develop these proposals should they be needed.The Government are clear that…
View full answer ↗
Whilst the UK hopes negotiations on Horizon Europe will be successful, and that is our preference, the Government is prepared to support the UK’s R&D sector by implementing Pioneer.The first stage of Pioneer is designed to go live within weeks of a decision and consists of a suite of…
View full answer ↗
The Science & Technology Framework sets out the government’s plan to cement the UK as a Science and Technology superpower by 2030 and the government is committed to ensuring the UK’s immigration system supports economic growth and remains competitive in attracting and retaining the best…
View full answer ↗
Ensuring that people of all ages can enter the UK space sector is a whole-of-government effort. This is recognized in the UK Science and Technology Framework (March 2023), which commits to expanding participation in all STEM careers. The UK Space Agency has a strong history of ensuring children are…
View full answer ↗
The Government is moving forward with discussions on the UK’s involvement in EU programmes. Talks are ongoing across the full range of programmes, including Euratom. Whilst the government’s preference is to associate with Horizon, any deal must be value for money for taxpayers and in…
View full answer ↗
Government’s approach is to actively support and fund the development and dissemination of techniques that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research (the 3Rs), primarily through funding from UK Research and Innovation for the National Centre for the 3Rs (NC3Rs) -…
View full answer ↗
I refer my Hon Member to the reply I gave in UIN 193652.
View full answer ↗
The UK space sector is highly productive, employing almost 49,000 people. It is worth £17.5 billion in annual UK income with an average long-term growth rate of 6.4% since the turn of the millennium, outpacing growth of the wider UK economy (Size and Health of the UK Space Industry, 2022).The…
View full answer ↗
As announced on 1 August 2023, the Government is working to establish the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) scheme, a potential £160 million R&D scheme to fund the next generation of satellite communications development and boost the UK’s leadership in the ever-growing global…
View full answer ↗
The sustainability of the space environment is a priority. The 2022 Plan for Space Sustainability includes measures to improve responsibility across the sector, including regulatory and international leadership, and developing new industry-led standards. We fund important projects with the UN…
View full answer ↗
When the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act’s product security regime comes into effect, manufacturers will be required to publish the minimum period of time the product will receive security updates for (the “defined support period”), including in a…
View full answer ↗
This Government has recommitted to increasing public expenditure on R&D to £20 billion per annum by 2024-25. This represents an increase of around a third from 2021-22.Since its creation, DSIT has made strong progress towards optimising public R&D investment in line with Government’s…
View full answer ↗
This information is not centrally collated and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. Ministers will regularly seek to engage with hon. Members, whilst balancing wider Ministerial and Parliamentary responsibilities.
View full answer ↗
As has been the case under successive administrations, it is not Government policy to comment on the government’s security arrangements. This includes any specific details regarding the make and model of security systems, which are withheld on national security grounds. Each Department is…
View full answer ↗
The Government has not made an assessment on the potential impact of organ-on-chip and other human-specific technologies on economic growth. It is actively supporting and funding the development and dissemination of techniques that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research (the…
View full answer ↗
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has clear policies in place aligned with Civil Service HR’s wider model discipline policy, stipulating that all cases of misconduct should be dealt with confidentially, and everyone involved in the discipline process is expected to…
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member to the letter my Rt Hon. Friend the Secretary of State wrote to the Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on 23 May. (https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/40161/documents/195836/default).
View full answer ↗
The Life Sciences sector plays a key role in levelling up the wealth and health of the UK and is one of the Chancellor’s five key growth sectors to drive the UK economy. The Government is committed to supporting Life Sciences businesses across the country. To date over 80% of the funding…
View full answer ↗
The Government believes that Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) will be of growing importance to the UK economy. In August 2022, the Government published a Summary of Responses relating to its call for views on SEPs and innovation, and more recently in July 2023 the Intellectual Property Office…
View full answer ↗
The £124 million committed to the Additional Funding Programme for Mathematic Sciences covers the financial years 2020/21 to 2028/29. This is in addition to UKRI’s core funding for mathematical sciences of around £25-30 million per annum.
View full answer ↗
The UK is home to 4 of the world’s top 10 universities and a $1 trilllion technology sector. Together 8 of our university towns, are home to more billion-dollar unicorn start-ups than France and Germany combined. The science and technology framework, builds on the Innovation Strategy, with…
View full answer ↗
In the two years since its publication, substantial progress has been made in delivering the ambition of the Vision, including the publication of the Genome UK Implementation Plan, alongside £175 million for cutting edge genomic research. Most recently, on 26 May, we announced a £650…
View full answer ↗
The Government supports the NHS in R&D of advanced therapy medicinal products, including gene therapies, through the Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre network, hosted by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult. The Catapult, head-quartered in Stevenage, is at the centre of the third largest cluster of…
View full answer ↗
DSIT funds chemistry research through UK Research and Innovation. UKRI’s action to address underrepresentation is guided by its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy and its council’s action plans which are published on its website: EDI strategy and action plans – UKRI. In…
View full answer ↗
The Department does not currently use algorithmic and other automated decision-making systems as the primary source of judgement in its processes. It is working to use technologies such as automation and AI innovatively to improve outcomes and efficiency. Government’s Roadmap to a Digital…
View full answer ↗
Details of Ministers’ and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.
View full answer ↗
The Secretary of State for Education has been clear she is very concerned about reports of inappropriate materials being used to teach relationships and sex education (RSHE). The Government has brought forward the review of the RSHE statutory guidance as a result, including conducting a public…
View full answer ↗
The Government is actively supporting and funding the development and dissemination of techniques that replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research (the 3Rs). UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is strongly committed to the 3Rs and provides funding for the National Centre for 3Rs…
View full answer ↗
The working group on copyright and AI has asked the Intellectual Property Office for more time to prepare a draft code of practice. A progress update will be published on GOV.UK shortly.
View full answer ↗
The copyright framework is relevant whenever copyright works are copied. Permission or a licence should be obtained unless an exception applies.
View full answer ↗
We are moving forward with discussions on the UK’s involvement in Horizon Europe and hope these will be successful. That is our preference. We will continue to engage with representatives across the sector, including the life science research sector, as these discussions progress. More…
View full answer ↗
The Government has not made an assessment on the UK’s global ranking in the development and use of human-specific technologies in medical research as there is no specific ranking. The Government is actively supporting and funding the development and dissemination of techniques that replace,…
View full answer ↗
The Government recognises that postgraduate researchers (PGRs) are vital to the UK’s science and technology superpower ambitions. The Government has funded UKRI to significantly increase the minimum stipend level for PGRs by nearly 20% in cash terms over two years (rising to £18,622 pa…
View full answer ↗
The Government continues to provide targeted funding to increase the accessibility of postgraduate research (PGR) to students from disadvantaged backgrounds and is committed to creating a New Deal of support for PGR students. In 2022, the Office for Students and Research England announced funding…
View full answer ↗
The Government is committed to growing the UK space sector. Yesterday's inaugural meeting of the reformed National Space Council Inter-Ministerial Group was an important moment for taking forward the National Space Strategy and developing a single Government voice on space.
View full answer ↗
The pace of technology in bioscience and AI is creating exciting opportunities to replace, reduce, and refine the use of animals in research (the 3Rs). We are committed to support UK leadership in this field which we do primarily through funding from UKRI for the National Centre for the 3Rs…
View full answer ↗
While direct discussions have not yet taken place, officials in the Office for Life Sciences, a joint unit between the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department of Health and Social Care, are working closely with officials in the Department of Health and Social Care, who…
View full answer ↗
On 24 November 2022, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster published a Written Ministerial Statement noting that departments had been instructed to take a series of actions relating to surveillance equipment subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China. This…
View full answer ↗
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) is an independent producer of official statistics. Its annual publication “Research and development expenditure by the UK government” has figures for UK Government net expenditure on research and development (R&D) by department and for UK…
View full answer ↗
The Government appointed Lord O’Shaughnessy to carry out an independent review into UK commercial clinical trials. Following publication of Lord O’Shaughnessy’s review on May 26, the Government made five headline commitments to improve the commercial clinical trials system and…
View full answer ↗
MARINE EXCURSIONS The Government can only regulate vessels in UK waters, and UK-flagged vessels wherever they are in the world. There are no regulations covering deep-sea submersibles used in international waters, and there is only one submersible listed on the UK flag. No non-UK-flagged manned…
View full answer ↗
As part of the new UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is undertaking a programme of work to assess how we can minimise the risks from biological data to protect our burgeoning bioeconomy, without stifling innovation, and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health…
View full answer ↗
In the five years to 2021, the number of life sciences businesses operating in the UK were as follows: 6,164 in 2017; 6,528 in 2018; 6,489 in 2019; 6,537 in 2020; and 6,548 in 2021. The Department does not yet hold statistics for 2022 or 2023. Statistics covering 2022 will be published by the…
View full answer ↗
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council funds Mathematical Sciences from its core budget, typically spending around £25-30 million per annum. They have also committed a further £124 million which will spend out to 2028-29 as part of the…
View full answer ↗
Through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), DSIT is responsible for biomedical and biological research, whilst DHSC is responsible for the NIHR, focused on health and health care system research. UKRI funds research into the detection, prevention, treatment and underpinning biology of kidney…
View full answer ↗
Innovate UK, is investing up to £6 million though 225 separate awards comprising the Begin and Build strands of Diverse Innovators Award. Applications for this competition open on 10 July 2023, and it is designed to deliver increased impact by widening the doors to invite a wider range of…
View full answer ↗
The call for proposals for up to £38m biomanufacturing fund and £250m LIFTS initiative are open UK-wide. Additionally, funding for skills and regulations will benefit companies across the UK and £121 million for clinical trials will support the delivery of clinical trials across…
View full answer ↗
In January 2022, the High Court declared the National Disability Strategy (NDS) was unlawful because the UK Disability Survey, which informed it, was held to be a voluntary consultation that failed to comply with the legal requirements on public consultations.The former Department for Business,…
View full answer ↗
The Government’s priority remains to support the UK R&D sector. The Horizon Europe Guarantee provides certainty to UK researchers and business in all scenarios and will be kept under review going forwards.
View full answer ↗
UKRI is delivering place-based funding opportunities, such as Local Policy Innovation Partnerships and the Strength in Places Fund, to deliver economic, social, and cultural benefits from research and innovation to all UK citizens to support levelling up. Innovate UK’s Innovation Accelerators…
View full answer ↗
From 1st April 2022, criteria for the Access to Work scheme and assessments changed and government departments have not been eligible to receive support from Access to Work. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to support staff with requirements for reasonable adjustments…
View full answer ↗
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) published detailed figures for shipbuilding R&D performed by businesses in the UK for years up to 2020, including how much of this was financed by the UK government, as part of its Business Enterprise Research and Development (BERD) release. In 2020 this was…
View full answer ↗
In 2023, Innovate UK is building on the legacy and success of its existing targeted programmes: Women in Innovation and Young Innovators. They are launching a new and ambitious programme called Diverse Innovators: Begin and Build. This new Innovate UK core funding competition is designed to deliver…
View full answer ↗
Havering London Borough Council did not receive direct funding from Innovate UK in 2021-22. I refer the hon. Member to my response to his question 186044 on 30 May 2023 regarding wider funding for the Havering area
View full answer ↗
Innovate UK (IUK) encourages and supports collaboration between businesses and universities. IUK funds the Catapults to support business innovation and drive collaboration in supply chains throughout the economy. Between 2013 and 2022, Catapults established over 5,000 academic and 18,000 industry…
View full answer ↗
The call for proposals for the £38m biomanufacturing fund and £250m LIFTS initiative are open UK-wide. Additionally, funding for skills and regulations will benefit companies across the UK and £121 million for clinical trials will support the delivery of clinical trials across…
View full answer ↗
While we do not set targets or estimate benefits, all UK development activity is governed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) rules: that activity is targeted at the economic development and welfare of developing countries. The Independent Commission for Aid Impact…
View full answer ↗
It is not possible to break down UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding data in this way. The Government actively supports and funds the development and dissemination of techniques that replace, reduce, and refine the use of animals in research (the 3Rs), primarily through…
View full answer ↗
The Department collaborates closely with companies from across the UK, including Scottish industry, to deliver the Life Sciences Vision and ensure we deliver on our science superpower ambitions. Officials in the Office for Life Sciences meet with the Devolved Administrations monthly, and they are…
View full answer ↗
Innovate UK is taking steps to provide opportunities for people from under-represented groups. These are in line with the UKRI Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy published on 17 March 2023 and the UKRI Workforce Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy published on 17 January 2023.…
View full answer ↗
The Department is working across HMG to develop, strengthen and amplify UK-Africa science and tech partnerships across the continent, focusing our efforts where the UK has strong existing and historical relationships; where the country is a leader in science, tech and data across the continent; and…
View full answer ↗
The UK has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan but a strong, unofficial relationship, based on deep and growing ties in a wide range of areas, underpinned by shared democratic values. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology was newly created on 7 February 2023, and the Department has…
View full answer ↗
The Government provides funding to the British Academy for eight British International Research Institutes (BIRI), including the British Institute at Ankara (BIAA). The BIRIs are independent organisations, overseen by Boards of Trustees. The BIAA promotes academic collaboration between scholars…
View full answer ↗
The Government provides funding to the British Academy for eight British International Research Institutes (BIRI), including the British Institute at Ankara (BIAA). The BIAA has not raised the need for additional funding with the British Academy. The Government reviews funding and delivery of the…
View full answer ↗
On 26 May we announced a raft of measures to support the life sciences sector across the UK. This includes a new Biomanufacturing Fund, open to companies across the UK, and measures to improve the underlying business environment such as through pro-innovation review of technologies (life sciences),…
View full answer ↗
Innovation in the North East is supported by significant public investment. For example, universities in the region received £12 million this year through the Higher Education Innovation Fund, and six received a further £5 million from the Connecting Capability Fund to help spinout their…
View full answer ↗
On the 8 June 2023, the Government announced an extension to the Horizon Europe Guarantee, it will cover all Horizon Europe grant calls that close on or before 30 September 2023. Our priority remains to support the UK R&D sector by providing the funding for existing applicants and as the end of May…
View full answer ↗
Through the Life Sciences Vision, we are committed to growing the life sciences sector across the country. We have delivered a range of programmes open to companies across the UK, including the Medicines and Diagnostics Manufacturing Transformation Fund (MDMTF) in 2021, the Life Sciences Innovative…
View full answer ↗
The Department for Science, Technology & Innovation was created on 7th February 2023, and this response relates to the Department’s main occupation at 1 Victoria Street, London, and where it is a significant tenant.The number of sewage leaks at 1 Victoria Street was 0 (zero).This building is…
View full answer ↗
The Government has raised support for research commercialisation to its highest level ever. For example, the Higher Education Innovation Fund, supporting knowledge exchange between universities and the wider world, is £280m for academic year 2022-23, including £20m for commercialisation,…
View full answer ↗
On March 6th 2023, the Government launched its Science and Technology Framework, setting the government’s Science and Technology agenda up to 2030. This framework, led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, will challenge all of government to put the UK at the forefront of…
View full answer ↗
The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology is completing the transfer of around 935 staff from the former Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and around 800 staff from the former Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. The staff data is live and so this…
View full answer ↗
We are currently considering the best way to approach Ethnicity Pay Gap reporting in the Civil Service. The Civil Service is looking to develop a consistent methodology to be used in departments to produce the data.We are working with Civil Service HR to work through the detail so the Ethnicity Pay…
View full answer ↗
In accordance with the code of practice for corporate governance in central government departments, the Department requires non-executive directors to declare sources of renumeration, contracts, shares and securities, non-financial interests, and related party interests that may influence, or may…
View full answer ↗
The UK and US have a longstanding relationship on science, innovation and technology. In 2017 we signed a Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, reaffirmed under the Atlantic Charter in 2021 at Carbis Bay. Additional mechanisms include joint statements on cooperation in AI and Quantum, and…
View full answer ↗
The Government has committed to increasing public expenditure on R&D to £20 billion per annum by 2024/2025. The total allocation for UK Research and Innovation over the period 2022-2025 is £25.1 billion. This includes £3 billion of investment in infrastructure projects, including…
View full answer ↗
The Horizon Europe Guarantee was launched in November 2021, with the first payment being made in 2022. This means that there is no Horizon Europe Guarantee expenditure included in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) dataset for the year 2020 in table 1f or in the calendar year 2021. The…
View full answer ↗
In the period until 2021, UK Government has provided £80m in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Newton-Bhabha partnership. In line with the standard process for reporting Official Development Assistance, spend data for Calendar Years 2022 and 2023 will be available at the publication…
View full answer ↗
The Science and Technology Framework published on 6th March identified engineering biology as one of the technologies that are most critical for the UK. The framework outlines the Government's approach to supporting the growth of these critical technologies in the UK, for example through investing…
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my Hon. Friend the Member for Scunthorpe on 30th March 2023 to Question 171597.
View full answer ↗
The technology and skills partnership programme is a stand alone UKRI programme in partnership with the Government of India. It does not include the funding for other collaborative activities listed in the press notice of 26 April.
View full answer ↗
The Office for National Statistics aims to count research performed in the United Kingdom as part of UK domestic gross expenditure on R&D, but not research performed overseas. The £8.3 million of funding announced in the press notice published on 26 April forms part of the Government’s…
View full answer ↗
The Government is investing in R&D to address a range of emerging public health challenges, including the impact of nano- and microplastics. Through UKRI’s Medical Research Council, the MRC Toxicology Unit at the University of Cambridge and the MRC Centre for Environment and Health at…
View full answer ↗
The Life Sciences Vision set a strategic goal to make the UK the most attractive location in Europe to start and grow a Life Sciences Business.This Government is driving the largest increase in public R&D in the UK for a generation – from £15bn a year to £20bn a year in the next…
View full answer ↗
The information requested is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
View full answer ↗
The Department has met the Alliance for IP; the British Copyright Council and members; The News Media Agency and News Licensing Association and members; and the Copyright Clearance Center. As diary information is not held centrally, it is not possible to determine whether this is a definitive list…
View full answer ↗
This Government is making the UK the best place in the world to work in science, innovation and technology. Our Science and Technology Framework sets out how we will attract and retain the brightest talent, including to take advantage of the opportunities of the UK’s departure from the EU. We…
View full answer ↗
Strengthening clusters is a top priority for building our Innovation Nation. More places in the UK hosting world-leading and globally connected innovation clusters will create more jobs, productivity and growth. This will require significant investment from the private sector, both domestic and…
View full answer ↗
Both the Major Conditions Strategy and the Life Sciences Vision look to support the health system in preserving good health and the early detection and treatment of diseases. As part of the Life Sciences Vision, we have already made progress on dementia, mental health and cancer, announcing…
View full answer ↗
The Government welcomes the EU’s recent openness to discussions on UK association to EU Programmes following two years of delays. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State travelled to Brussels ahead of publication of the Pioneer prospectus, for an introductory meeting with R&I Commissioner…
View full answer ↗
The Life Sciences Vision committed the Government to delivering a Vaccines Healthcare Mission which will build on the UK’s deep expertise in vaccines to strengthen the UK life sciences ecosystem, with a particular focus on new and novel technologies. This will include maximising the…
View full answer ↗
To inform the code of practice, the Government will convene a group of AI firms and rights holders to identify barriers faced by users of data mining techniques when accessing copyright materials, and to develop licensing solutions for these. As the draft develops, we will seek evidence from an…
View full answer ↗
Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council data is provided in the table below. FYResponsive mode Success RateResponsive mode total applications2021/2226%11852020/2126%9402019/2022%12022018/1925%12462017/1823%1258 The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted applications and success rates in…
View full answer ↗
This information is not held centrally and can only be provided at disproportionate cost.
View full answer ↗
UK Government investment in Research and Development is subject to changes between years that reflect the profile of long-term investments. The long-term trend is one of growing investment, with UKRI’s budget set to increase by 31% between Financial Year (FY) 2017/18 and 2024/25. FY2020/21…
View full answer ↗
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave her on 24th April 2023 to Question 181128.
View full answer ↗
The Government has already announced that it will not proceed with its previous policy for a broad copyright exception for data mining. Instead, it will work with AI developers and right holders to develop a code of practice by the Summer. The Government seeks to strike a balanced and pragmatic…
View full answer ↗
The Government has pledged to increase public investment in R&D outside the Greater Southeast by at least 40% by 2030, and by at least a third over the spending review period. North East universities received £12 million this year from the Higher Education Innovation Fund, which supports…
View full answer ↗
Our Future Health continues to work in partnership with charities including Kidney Research UK to develop additional sampling strategies that may in future include an assessment of kidney function.
View full answer ↗
UK Government investment in Research and Development is subject to changes between years that reflect the profile of long-term investments. The long-term trend is one of growing investment, with public expenditure on R&D set to increase to £20 billion per annum by Financial Year (FY) 2024/25 -…
View full answer ↗
The Government has pledged to increase public investment in R&D outside the Greater Southeast by at least 40% by 2030, and by at least a third over the spending review period. Darlington is home to a High Value Manufacturing Catapult centre, the National Biologics Manufacturing Centre. This…
View full answer ↗
Fill-finish capacity is crucial to the UK’s health resilience. Since the pandemic the government has invested over £395 million to scale up our manufacturing capabilities, including a partnership with Wockhardt to successfully fill-finish the AstraZeneca vaccine. Last year the Government…
View full answer ↗
In order to support places across the UK to fulfil their potential for innovation, the Government has pledged to increase domestic public investment in R&D outside the Greater South East by at least 40% by 2030, and by at least a third over the spending review period. UK Research and Innovation…
View full answer ↗
Employees of Department for Science, Innovation and Technology employees remain employed by their previous departments until the new department is established by a Transfer of Functions order.The information requested is not held centrally by BEIS or DCMS and can only be provided at…
View full answer ↗
This Government has recommitted to increasing public expenditure on R&D to £20 billion per annum by 2024/2025 - a cash increase of approximately a third compared to 2021/22. This includes funding for the UK’s association to Horizon Europe if the UK can agree fair and appropriate terms…
View full answer ↗
In the 2017 Industrial Strategy, the Government committed to increasing UK economy-wide investment in Research and Development (R&D) to 2.4% of GDP by 2027. Last year, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) updated its R&D data methodology to better represent R&D performed in small businesses and…
View full answer ↗
The annual ONS release, Research and development (R&D) expenditure by the UK government, includes indicative UK contributions to EU R&D expenditure, both recently and in editions prior to 2016. The breakdown can be found in the link…
View full answer ↗
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) speaks to representatives of the creative industries on a regular basis and its officials have met with them on text and data mining (TDM), in relation to former proposals to introduce a broad exception for data mining, as well to discuss…
View full answer ↗
The Government has already announced it will work with creative industries and AI developers to develop a code of practice on text and data mining licensing by the Summer.
View full answer ↗
UK Government investment in R&D is subject to changes between years that reflect the profile of long-term investments. For example, in FY 2020/21, there was a one-time increase to infrastructure investment of £300 million through UKRI’s world class labs which concluded in 2021/22. In FY…
View full answer ↗
Organisations which hold human genetic data are subject to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In addition, Genomics England, UK Biobank and NIHR BioResource actively consider national security in decision making about partnerships with companies overseas. These organisations…
View full answer ↗
As is usual practice for all spend, the return of funding to the Exchequer in 22/23 reflected the anticipated underspend within the EU programmes ringfence in that financial year. The commitment to invest up to £14.6bn makes clear that, by 2027/28, the same funding as that originally set aside…
View full answer ↗
Pioneer would complement the existing UK R&D funding landscape and form part of the Government’s historic commitment to increase public sector R&D investment to £20bn per annum in 2024/25. ARIA will have maximum autonomy over its research and project choice; its procedures; and its…
View full answer ↗
The Government is discussing association to Horizon Europe with the EU and hope these negotiations will be successful. While association is the preferred outcome, the Government is clear that it would need to be on the basis of a good deal for the UK’s researchers, businesses and taxpayers.…
View full answer ↗
If the Government is unable to secure association on fair and appropriate terms, Pioneer, will be implemented. UK researchers would receive as much funding from Pioneer as the UK would have paid to associate to Horizon from 2021 to 2027 (as agreed in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement). All of…
View full answer ↗
The Government established the Horizon guarantee to ensure there is no loss in funding for the UK sector. The guarantee is in place to cover all Horizon Europe calls that close on or before the end of June 2023. Eligible, successful applicants to Horizon Europe will receive the full value of their…
View full answer ↗
Department of Health and Social Care
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress her Department has made on increasing access to dentists.
View full answer ↗