Written questions by Griffith.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Information Commissioner’s Office on the future development of an Information Commission.

The Secretary of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has been in contact with the Information Commissioner regarding the future development of the Information Commission. They met on 30 July and discussed the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill announced in the King’s Speech, and its implications for the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the use of ISDN phone lines across Government.

No.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the University of Edinburgh following the cancellation of the exascale supercomputer project.

The Government is committed to building compute infrastructure that delivers growth and opportunity for people across the UK. My Department and I regularly engage with a range of organisations across the science and research sector, including the University of Edinburgh.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Answer of 25 April 2024 to Question 22294 on Genomics: China, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the cross-departmental programme of work to minimise the risks of biological data.

Through the delivery of the UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is committed ensuring the UK is resilient to a spectrum of biological threats, as well as being a world leader in innovation. As part of this 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 and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health outcomes in the UK and across the world.I am actively engaging with relevant Cabinet colleagues on this issue, through the relevant national security structures.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions on national security considerations relating to biological data with (a) Genomics England, (b) UK Biobank and (c) NIHR Bioresource.

Through the delivery of the UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is committed ensuring the UK is resilient to a spectrum of biological threats, as well as being a world leader in innovation. As part of this 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 and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health outcomes in the UK and across the world.The Government is actively engaging with Genomics England, UK Biobank, NIHR Bioresource and Our Future Health to build the security and resilience of our genome banks.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that regulatory decisions taken by the Regulatory Innovation Office will occur in a timely manner.

The launch of the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), a key manifesto commitment, is a big step forward in bringing the UK’s most promising new technologies to the public faster and safely while kickstarting economic growth. The RIO is committed to ensuring timely regulatory decisions by working closely with regulators and other government departments to unblock regulatory reforms related to technologies and innovation.

Innovation and Technology, what the cost is of establishing the Regulatory Innovation Office.

The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) is the Government’s key tool for advancing regulatory innovation. The Government will continue to evaluate timelines, costs, legal considerations, and objectives to ensure the RIO aligns with our transformative goals and delivers effective regulatory solutions.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to visit the SaxaVord Spaceport in 2024.

A date has still to be arranged, but I intend to visit as soon as possible.

Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in China.

Since taking office, I have been in contact and exchanged views on the UK-China Science and Technology relationship with Minister Yin Hejun, my counterpart in China’s Ministry of Science and Technology.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has met with the National Quantum Technologies Programme Strategic Advisory Board to discuss how to reduce the potential impact of regulation on the levels of innovation in the quantum sector.

The Department of Science and Innovation and Technology regularly consults the National Quantum Technologies Programme Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) on all aspects of the National Quantum Strategy, including regulation.SAB members have advised on and inputted into the government response to the Regulatory Horizons Council (RHC) report on quantum regulation.Officials in my department have also consulted with a wide range of industry representatives from the quantum sector ahead of publication to ensure that the government’s regulatory strategy enables innovation in quantum.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to publish a new National Vision for Engineering Biology.

DSIT has not announced any intention to publish a new National Vision for Engineering Biology.

What steps his Department is taking to support the development of nuclear reactors which make use of re-processed fuels.

The decision of whether or when to reprocess spent fuel is a matter for the owner of the spent fuel. Whilst industrial scale reprocessing of spent fuels in the UK has ended, the value of the UK’s nuclear fuel cycle knowledge and skills base is recognised, both in managing the UK’s nuclear legacy and in supporting future capabilities and research programmes. The UK Government continues to provide support through investments in research facilities and programmes.

What discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with newcleo Ltd in the last three months.

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.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the 10th Research and Innovation Framework Programme.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology published a Position Paper (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-position-on-eus-research-and-innovation-framework-programme) outlining the Government's views on FP10 on 26 September 2024.As set out in the paper, the Government recognises the importance of collaboration with European counterparts on research and innovation. To that end, the Secretary of State wrote to the European Research Commissioner to confirm the paper’s publication and our desire to engage with the EU on the development of FP10. In addition, Minister Vallance has met with the Commissioner and spoken with Manuel Heitor (chair of the expert group for Horizon Europe and FP10). The DSIT CSA was also in Brussels earlier this week discussing FP10 with counterparts. The Government is keen to continue working with the EU, Member States and third countries to ensure FP10 can best address pressing global problems and directly improve people’s lives.

What steps his Department is taking to support the development of small modular reactors.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of good, skilled jobs. The Department has provided funding of up to £210m to support the development of the Rolls Royce SMR design. The Future Nuclear Enabling Fund is currently awarding grants of up to £67m to support advanced nuclear designs through UK regulation, including SMRs.Separately, Great British Nuclear is continuing to deliver the live SMR Technology Selection Process for UK deployment.

Innovation and Technology, what the selection process was for members of his Department’s Digital Government panel.

The Digital Centre Design Advisory Panel has been established to advise, test ideas and constructively challenge our thinking as we develop the new digital centre of government.DSIT selected individuals who bring a diverse set of views and experience from across the UK tech sector, academics, digital government, regional growth and international voices, including co-chairs Martha Lane Fox and Paul Willmott.

What steps his Department is taking to support the development of advanced modular reactors.

Advanced Modular Reactors have the potential to help tackle hard-to-abate emissions in energy intensive industries. The Government continues to fund research and innovation to develop High Temperature Gas Reactor technology and their advanced fuels through the £385 million Advanced Nuclear Fund during the current Spending Review period. The current programme is also providing funding to the UK’s nuclear regulators to ensure they can develop capabilities to regulate novel reactor types. Some advanced reactor designs require High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel, so securing a supply of HALEU is essential to unleash the benefits of new designs on our path to Net Zero. Our £300m HALEU programme expect to develop a full HALEU front-end fuel cycle capability in the UK by the early 2030s, helping to support and attract advanced reactor designs to the UK.

Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to reduce the number of arm’s-length bodies sponsored by his Department.

Arm’s Length Bodies should operate efficiently and should only exist where necessary. The Department operates a review programme and a number of DSIT's ALBs are subject to review every year. These reviews consider the continuing necessity of the ALB. New ALBs are only established when all other delivery mechanisms have been exhausted and are subject to approval by HM Treasury.