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 481–500 of 508 · this parliament
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, 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, 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 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, 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, 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, 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 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, 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, 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.
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, 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 (a) projected budget and (b) planned timetable is for the creation of the National Data Library.
The Government will create a National Data Library to make it easier to access public sector data, help deliver data-driven public services, support our research sector, and create opportunities for economic growth. The National Data Library will include strong safeguards and maximise public benefit. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is leading planning of the National Data Library, including the projected budget and delivery milestones.
Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the potential introduction of expanded AI regulation.
In the King’s speech we committed to establishing appropriate legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful artificial intelligence models. As we develop these, we recognise the need to engage with a range of international partners. This includes engaging with the US, 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.
Innovation and Technology, what his planned timetable is to appoint the chair of Building Digital UK.
Following the announcement of Simon Blagden’s resignation on 19 July 2024, the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology is working at pace to appoint an interim Chair of Building Digital UK. We will confirm in due course the timelines for the permanent Governance of BDUK.
Innovation and Technology, when he plans to establish the Regulatory Innovation Office; and what the budget will be for that office.
In our manifesto, the government announced its intent to establish a Regulatory Innovation Office. I am working with officials to define initial areas of focus, whilst developing long term plans to ensure the RIO can support economic growth through regulatory innovation. Further detail will be announced in due course.