Committee publication · Correspondence · 16 July 2026
Correspondence from Chair to Secretary of State for Science and Technology and Permanent Secretary, re: Follow-up to oral evidence on the work of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, 15 July
From: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Inquiry: Work of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Summary
Chair Chi Onwurah seeks written follow-up on evidence given 8 July 2026 by Science Secretary Liz Kendall and Permanent Secretary Emran Mian. The committee raises concerns spanning STFC governance and altered council minutes, ICO leadership crisis, stalled online advertising taskforce, pharmaceutical deal costs and SME benefits, mobile phone theft progress, and 2G network switch-off safety planning. Responses requested by 21 August.
Key findings
- Committee remains concerned about STFC cuts amid rising funding and seeks clarity on financial planning, including explanation of substantive changes made to December 2025 extraordinary council meeting minutes and governance implications.
- Committee requests details on independent review of ICO's culture, accountability and governance following Information Commissioner resignation, including staff support and trade union engagement.
- Online Advertising Taskforce (established 2023, meeting quarterly) has not delivered visible actions on harmful-but-legal content monetisation since last meeting November 2025; committee seeks action timeline.
- US-UK pharmaceutical deal costing estimate of £1 billion over spending review period requires detailed breakdown: assumptions, VPAG changes inclusion, gross/net distinction, and response to higher BMJ analysis estimate.
- 2G/PSTN switch-off poses safety risks (two deaths in 2023 from telecare device failures); committee seeks vulnerability estimates, device counts, charter details, and harm-monitoring mechanisms to prevent repetition.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Chi Onwurah, Liz Kendall, Emran Mian, Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, STFC, UKRI, ICO
Notable line
“The committee remains concerned at Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) cuts at a time of rising funding and is therefore …”
Key Quotes
“The committee remains concerned at Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) cuts at a time of rising funding and is therefore keen to know what steps are being taken to address financial planning at STFC.”
“… the Taskforce was set up in 2023 to "drive ambitious non-legislative action", it is disappointing that it was not possible for you to point to any actions it has so far taken on these issues.”
“There must be a clear plan to ensure that the 2G switch- off does not endanger lives.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗