Every parliamentary written question tabled by Andrew Griffith this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 61–80 of 89 · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to continue the work of the AI Opportunity Forum.
The AI Opportunity Forum was established in January 2024 to run until the summer. Driving AI adoption across the private and the public sector is a government priority. In July 2024, the AI entrepreneur, Matt Clifford, was appointed to develop the AI Oppo...
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to promote direct to device mobile connectivity from satellites.
Although this is a nascent field, government recognises the emerging potential of direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, in particular in hard to reach or remote areas. Ofcom has recently published a call for input on the potential supply of and demand for ...
Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help provide supplemental broadband coverage via satellite in rural areas.
The vast majority of premises are expected to be covered by commercial activity or Project Gigabit. However, we do accept there will be a small number of premises not connected and we are considering alternative technologies to improve connectivity for th...
Innovation and Technology, whether the approvals process for the appointment of the Director General Digital Centre Design included the Civil Service Commission being informed of donations made by Public Digital
The Director General, Digital Centre Design was appointed in line with Civil Service Recruitment Principles and the Civil Service Commission was provided with the relevant background information requested, including the Director General’s previous work ro...
Innovation and Technology, whether approval was sought from the Cabinet Office’s Senior Leadership Committee for the appointment of the new Director General for digital centre design.
The role of Director General Digital Centre Design went through approvals appropriate to a fixed term appointment, including Civil Service Commission under exception 1. Permanent roles will be advertised under fair and open competition in line with usual processes.
Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of announcing the appointment of the new Director General: Digital Centre Design on Gov.UK.
The role of Director General Digital Centre Design went through approvals appropriate to a fixed term appointment, including Civil Service Commission under exception 1. Permanent roles will be advertised under fair and open competition in line with usual processes.
Innovation and Technology, whether the (a) First Civil Service Commissioner and (b) Civil Service Commission agreed to the appointment of the new Director General for digital centre design.
The role of Director General Digital Centre Design went through approvals appropriate to a fixed term appointment, including Civil Service Commission under exception 1. Permanent roles will be advertised under fair and open competition in line with usual processes.
Innovation and Technology, if he will publish the (a) Job Evaluation for the appointment of the new Director General Digital Centre Design, (b) membership of the Job Evaluation Panel for the creation of the post and (c) scores the Panel members gave the position.
The role of Director General Digital Centre Design went through approvals appropriate to a fixed term appointment, including Civil Service Commission under exception 1. Permanent roles will be advertised under fair and open competition in line with usual processes.
Innovation and Technology, whether the new Director General: Digital Centre Design was appointed through open competition.
The role of Director General Digital Centre Design went through approvals appropriate to a fixed term appointment, including Civil Service Commission under exception 1. Permanent roles will be advertised under fair and open competition in line with usual processes.
Innovation and Technology, what his Department's policy is on the future of the Life Sciences Council.
The Life Sciences Council is a crucial forum for convening the sector and advancing UK Life Sciences. We will bolster the Council and have it report directly to the Industrial Strategy Council. It will meet again in due course.
Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to publish a Space Workforce Action Plan.
The Government is determined to develop the skilled workforce that the UK needs across the whole economy, including in Space. That is why it is creating Skills England and will bring forward a comprehensive strategy for post-16 education to break down barriers to opportunity, support the development of a skilled workforce, and drive economic growth through our industrial strategy. Decisions about sector specific workforce action plans will be taken in due course.
Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to publish an AI strategy.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the heart of the Government’s plan to kickstart an era of economic growth, transform how we deliver public services, and boost living standards for working people across the country. Over the next few months, we will be ensuring that AI is used to drive the government’s missions and priorities, including the Industrial Strategy, the AI Opportunities Action Plan, and wider commitments.
Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for efficiency savings in (a) his Department and (b) each of his arms-length bodies, beyond those planned by the previous Government; and which efficiency savings planned by the previous Government he no longer plans to implement.
The Department will take forward a programme of work to identify and deliver efficiency savings going forward as part of the upcoming Spending Review process.
Innovation and Technology, what amount of his 2024-25 departmental budget was underspent on 24 May 2024.
The Department reports in year spend to Ministers and the Permanent Secretary through the monthly reporting cycle. As and when underspends or pressures emerge, the Department works with HM Treasury to take appropriate action. The Department’s audited accounts for Financial Year 2024-25 will be published at the appropriate time once the Financial Year has concluded.
Innovation and Technology, if he will provide a list of the expected underspends in (a) his Department and (b) each of his arms-length bodies (i) in the current financial year and (ii) across the Spending Review period.
As the Chancellor set out in her statement on July 29, the government’s spending audit has identified a forecast Resource DEL overspend of £21.9 billion against the plans set out for departments at Spring Budget 2024. This already factors in the Treasury’s assessment of a £7.1bn fallaway over the course of the year, as set out in Table 1 of Fixing the foundations: public spending audit 2024-25. The government has announced £5.5 billion of savings in 2024-25, bringing the in-year pressures down to £16.4 billion.
Innovation and Technology, what his Department's policy is on the future of the National Academy for Mathematical Sciences.
The General Election was called during the open competition period for an incipient National Academy focused on mathematical sciences. My Department recognises the value that the mathematical sciences community brings to innovation, science and growth and will confirm the outcome of the competition in due course.
Innovation and Technology, what funding has been allocated to transfer the (a) Government Digital Service, (b) Central Digital and Data Office and (c) Incubator for AI from the Cabinet Office to his Department.
I refer the Honourable Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister about Machinery of Government changes on 24 July 2024. Preparations for the planned Machinery of Government change between the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office are underway. This includes the move of Government Digital Service, Central Digital and Data Office and Incubator for AI into Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The planned timetable and details for completing the transfer of staff as part of this Machinery of Government change has not yet been confirmed and we will advise in due course.
Innovation and Technology, whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals on artificial intelligence.
As set out in the King’s Speech, we will establish appropriate legislation to ensure the safe development of AI models by introducing targeted requirements on a handful of companies developing the most powerful AI systems. We will work with other departments and consult publicly on the details of these proposals before legislation is brought forward.
Innovation and Technology, what his planned timetable is for completing the transfer of the (a) Government Digital Service, (b) Central Digital and Data Office and (c) Incubator for AI from the Cabinet Office to his Department.
I refer the Honourable Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister about Machinery of Government changes on 24 July 2024. Preparations for the planned Machinery of Government change between the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Cabinet Office are underway. This includes the move of Government Digital Service, Central Digital and Data Office and Incubator for AI into Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The planned timetable and details for completing the transfer of staff as part of this Machinery of Government change has not yet been confirmed and we will advise in due course.
Innovation and Technology, whether he has had recent discussions with his European counterparts on the EU Artificial Intelligence Act, EU Regulation 2024/1689.
I am pleased that we committed in the King's Speech to a targeted approach to AI regulation. As we develop these regulations, we recognise the need to engage with a range of international partners. This includes engaging with the EU, who are a key science and technology partner, to discuss our respective approaches, as well as working alongside them and other partners in the G7, OECD, UN, and other international fora.