Written questions by Onwurah.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department requires the use of open‑source software, open standards or open interfaces as part of its oversight and approval of major IT procurement across Government.

As of February 2025, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), through its incorporation of the Government Digital Service (GDS), requires full consideration be given to the use of open standards and open-source software. DSIT oversight and approval processes for major IT spend is governed by the requirements and guidance contained in several key GDS publications:Technology Code of Practice (TCoP): This is the primary set of criteria used for government digital and technology spend controls. It explicitly requires departments to "be open and use open source" and to build technology using open standards to ensure interoperability and avoid vendor lock-in.The Service Standard: Point 12 requires teams to "make new source code open" and available for reuse across government, while Point 13 mandates the use of and contribution to open standards and common components.Open Standards Principles: The government's open standards principles state that the standards must be used for software interoperability, data, and document formats unless a specific exemption is granted.Oversight Mechanismsv.6 Government Digital and Technology Controls are in place until 31 March 2026: all unexempted digital and technology spend proposals that fall within scope, must obtain DSIT Digital spend control approval prior to committing spend.In scope spend for public-facing digital services is whole life cost above £100,000.In scope spend for all other technology is whole life cost above £1,000,000.To obtain spend approval, departmental assurers (and, according to risk, GDS) benchmark the spend proposal against the requirements and guidance contained with the three key publications cited at section 2 above.From 1 April 2026 onwards, each department is accountable for applying all functional standards as set by DSIT, regarding Digital, Data and Technology spends. Functional assurance will only be conducted by DSIT where the spend exceeds the Department’s Delegated Authority Limit (DAL) set by HM Treasury.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the UK’s level of dependence on foreign manufactured Common Information Models (CIMs); and what steps his Department is taking to ensure the resilience and sovereignty of UK infrastructure that depends on CIM‑enabled connectivity.

Common Information Models are used across a range of UK CNI sectors. This includes telecommunications, where CIMs enable interoperability between different network management and operational systems. They support efficient operation and automation in complex, multivendor networks, but do not themselves control telecommunications networks.The Government keeps under review the resilience and security of the UK’s telecommunications infrastructure, including potential dependencies on overseas technologies and suppliers.As the government set out in its response to the Telecommunications Supply Chain Diversification (TSCD) Advisory Council report, security and resilience risks can arise when critical network functions may rely on a limited range of suppliers or technologies, including software based systems used for network monitoring, configuration and management.The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 and the National Security and Investment Act 2021 provide frameworks through which the Government can assess and address national security risks in the telecommunications sector, including risks associated with hostile state interference. The government response to the TSCD Advisory Council report also sets out the steps the government is taking to manage the risks associated with vendor concentration in UK telecoms networks.The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will strengthen the resilience of the UK's critical infrastructure, including by strengthening duties on operators of essential services to manage risks in their supply chains. The Bill will also provide the Secretary of State with a power of direction, enabling the government to act where necessary and proportionate to address national security risks to regulated entities.The government works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre to assess and manage risks to UK critical national infrastructure, including those arising from dependence on foreign-manufactured technologiesThe Government seeks to build sovereign capability in critical technologies, as set out in the June 2025 Modern Industrial Strategy and the accompanying Digital and Technologies Sector Plan.More broadly, on the development of global digital standards, the UK supports an open, inclusive, multistakeholder approach and is actively engaged to ensure our interests and values are well-accounted for. DSIT, NCSC and other government departments and agencies engage directly in standards development where the UK has critical interests to seek to ensure that UK needs are met.

Innovation and Technology, whether she has held discussions with (a) Microsoft, (b) Amazon Web Services and (c) Palantir regarding the potential implications of the (1) US Cloud Act, (2) Patriot Act and (3) entity‑list controls for UK data sovereignty and access to cloud services.

The Secretary of State has not held specific discussions with these companies on these matters.The Government takes a balanced approach to cloud services, ensuring public sector systems are secure, resilient, and effective, while benefiting from global innovation. This is underpinned by data protection law, UK security standards, and established commercial rules.Supplier risks are managed through established security and resilience processes, with procurement decisions based on value for money, security, and the effective delivery of public services, including for critical infrastructure.

Innovation and Technology, what minimum UK capabilities she has identified as necessary across (a) AI computing, (b) cloud infrastructure, (c) cybersecurity and (d) data governance to reduce dependence on foreign technology providers.

The Government has identified the need to strengthen capability across a range of critical technologies, as set out in the Modern Industrial Strategy (2025) and the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan (2025), including building UK capacity in AI computing through investment in advanced compute infrastructure.Alongside this, we are developing a National Cloud Strategy, as outlined in the Roadmap for Modern Digital Government (2026). It will assess how to strengthen the security and resilience of UK cloud infrastructure and improve the cloud ecosystem.These efforts are supported by robust data governance structures, such as the UK's data protection legislation and Data and AI Ethics Framework, which help protect UK interests while enabling innovation.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure the NHS is not dependent on single suppliers of medical products.

Central procurement processes through NHS Supply Chain include a range of measures to prevent the dependency on single suppliers of medical products.When designing strategies, at category and sourcing strategy stages, NHS Supply Chain completes a category risk analysis which highlights sole source or supplier dominance risk and is analysed before being accepted or rejected.Unless there is a requirement for a unique product, NHS Supply Chain tries to avoid sole sourcing. Occasionally, a tender will only produce one response for a product, so market constraints may result in sole source. In this case NHS Supply Chain will review the market and seek new entrants where possible and relevant.Where the procurement of a product from a sole source is unavoidable, NHS Supply Chain will conduct enhanced due diligence on sole source suppliers which could include:- business continuity management assurances;- tailored selection criteria; and- contingency planning in the event that the sole supplier is unable to supply.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 85759, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Israeli measures to extend control of areas in the West Bank on the Government's ability to identify the declared origin of goods.

The UK is clear that Israel's illegal settlements, and decisions designed to further them, are a flagrant violation of international law. We will take concrete steps, in accordance with international law, to counter settlement expansion, and to challenge policies and threats of forcible displacement and annexation. As previously stated, where there are doubts about the declared origin of goods, HMRC undertakes checks to verify the origin and ensure fiscal compliance.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what step she is taking with his African counterparts to help ensure that women in the West and Central African banana trade are supported and employed.

The UK's Economic Partnership Agreements and Developing Countries Trading Scheme provide West and Central African partners with preferential access to the UK market, supporting growth, employment, and development of resilient agricultural supply chains. This preferential access has enabled West African banana‑exporting countries, including Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, to strengthen their position in the UK market, underpinning rural livelihoods in sectors where women play a significant role.We have also supported the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and worked with TradeMark Africa to strengthen trade corridors on the continent, including tackling the barriers that women face when engaging in cross‑border trade.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that UK trade policy supports the sustainability of rural communities in West Africa that are reliant on the banana export trade.

The UK's Economic Partnership Agreements and Developing Countries Trading Scheme provide West and Central African partners with preferential access to the UK market, supporting growth, employment, and development of resilient agricultural supply chains. This preferential access has enabled West African banana‑exporting countries, including Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, to strengthen their position in the UK market, underpinning rural livelihoods in sectors where women play a significant role.We have also supported the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and worked with TradeMark Africa to strengthen trade corridors on the continent, including tackling the barriers that women face when engaging in cross‑border trade.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support industrial heritage.

This Government is proud to support industrial heritage, which is central to our nation's history. Last year, the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund supported a wide range of industrial heritage sites, including £1 million for the Woodhorn Colliery in Northumberland. We intervened to save the Ironbridge Trust in Shropshire, the birthplace of the industrial revolution, with a £9 million investment. Furthermore we recently announced a further £200 million in new funding over this parliament to protect and preserve heritage.

What assessment he has made of potential impact of the new US vehicle connectivity rules on UK automotive exports to the US; and if he will make a statement.

Given that the software rules apply from Model Year 2027 and the hardware rules from 2029, many manufacturers are still assessing their supply chains and how to remain compliant. This information is commercially sensitive, so I cannot comment on individual plans, but we continue to engage closely with UK industry to understand emerging impacts. The Government worked extensively with manufacturers during the US rule’s development and submitted a private response to the consultation. We remain committed to ongoing industry engagement and to working with the US and likeminded partners to ensure that any new measures do not create barriers between allies.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of her Department's (a) capital investment exposure to, (b) potential capital spending requirements resulting from and (c) overall investment portfolio resilience from an equity price correction in US stock markets.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) does not hold any direct capital investments in companies listed on US equity markets.DSIT’s capital portfolio consists of investments approved on a case‑by‑case basis against agreed criteria, and is primarily focused on UK‑based research, innovation and infrastructure programmes, as well as government‑sponsored bodies. DSIT's investments are monitored on a portfolio basis, including assessing market and valuation risks and considering any indirect effects global market movements on the Department’s assets.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for UK energy grid procurement policies of the Strider report on US grid dependency on Chinese components.

The protection and security of the energy sector is an absolute priority of this Government. My department is committed to working closely across Government and industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative and secure. Investment in the energy sector is subject to the highest levels of national security scrutiny – we take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must. As an open economy, we welcome foreign trade and investment where it supports growth and jobs in the UK, meets our stringent legal and regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security.

Innovation and Technology, how many projected jobs for each AI Growth Zone are (a) tied to building and construction of data centres, (b) permanent on-site operational jobs in data centres, (c) data-centre roles that can be done remotely either (i) within the UK or (ii) overseas and (d) other jobs that are expected to be created indirectly in the area.

Through AI Growth Zones (AIGZs), we aim to crowd-in tens of billions of pounds in private investment and drive growth, with AIGZs announced so far expected to create over 15,000 jobs.AIGZs are designed to accelerate data‑centre build‑out and attract substantial private investment, creating construction roles, permanent operational jobs, and wider indirect employment through supply‑chain growth and skills pathways. Each AI Growth Zone will also receive £5 million to support local AI adoption and upskilling, helping ensure communities benefit directly from new opportunities.Five AI Growth Zones have been designated to date, all expected to contribute to regional regeneration and the UK’s long‑term compute capacity. We do not make specific assumptions about the nature or geographical nature of jobs indirectly related to AI Growth Zones.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on (a) tackling the proliferation of fake AI generated Auschwitz photographs on social media and (b) the potential impact of those photographs on our understanding of the Holocaust.

The government is deeply concerned about the spread of antisemitic content and dealing with it is a priority for this government. We recognise that AI-generated content can undermine trust and spread hate online. Under the Online Safety Act (OSA), enforced by Ofcom, regulated services must tackle AI-generated content that is illegal (including that which stirs up racial hatred, is threatening or abusive, or otherwise meets criminal thresholds), or harmful to children. This includes where content is antisemitic. The Secretary of State wrote to Ofcom in October and November 2025 asking them to do everything possible under the Act to tackle this content.The department is exploring how to improve detection and transparency around AI-generated material, including through the Deepfake Detection Challenge 2026. We are also improving media literacy, encouraging critical engagement with and awareness of divisive and misleading content.The government continues to work with community groups and partners to challenge hatred and protect public understanding from harmful content.

Under what mechanisms is InterMarine able to sponsor Highly Skilled Worker Visas .

The basis on which UK employers holding a Skilled Worker sponsor licence can sponsor skilled workers to come to the UK is set out in the relevant Sponsor Guidance. This can be found on Gov.uk at: Sponsorship: guidance for employers and educators - GOV.UK

What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the procurement and contract‑management processes used for the Fuel Finder project; and what steps his Department is taking to ensure that public money allocated to this project has been spent effectively and provides value for money.

A competitive and open tender process was run for Fuel Finder in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and government procurement policies and guidance. Evaluation criteria included quality, technical criteria and total cost. The Fuel Finder contract is managed in line with the Government Digital Service Standard and is overseen by Departmental project boards, following established governance arrangements and spend assurance processes that apply to all major digital and commercial projects. All of the above are steps taken to ensure an effective implementation and the project will continue to be reviewed to ensure value for money, minimising and managing costs carefully.

Whether recruitment agencies are permitted to sponsor Highly Skilled Worker Visas under current immigration rules.

The basis on which UK employers holding a Skilled Worker sponsor licence can sponsor skilled workers to come to the UK is set out in the relevant Sponsor Guidance. This can be found on Gov.uk at: Sponsorship: guidance for employers and educators - GOV.UK

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of State Pension age changes on 1950s-born women living in Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West constituency.

All women born since 6 April 1950 have been affected by changes to State Pension age. Estimates can be made using ONS 2021 Census Data on how many women born in the 1950s resided in each constituency in that year.

With reference to his Statement UIN HCWS1044 on 11 November 2025, what procedures and circumstances led to the 2007 research report not being provided to his predecessor.

The Secretary of State announced in his oral statement of 11 November 2025 that we will retake the decision made in December 2024 as it relates to the communications on State Pension age. This was because findings from a 2007 report had not been drawn to the attention of the previous Secretary of State as its potential relevance to the making of her decision was not evident at the time. The process to retake the decision is underway and it is important that we give this full and proper consideration. Retaking the decision should not be taken as an indication that Government will necessarily decide that it should award financial redress. We will update Parliament on the decision as soon as a conclusion is reached and on 2 December 2025 we committed to re-take the decision within three months.

For what reason the Cabinet committee on Science and Technology has been replaced with a committee on Digital and Technology; and how matters related to science will be considered.

The membership and terms of reference of Cabinet committees is decided by the Prime Minister, as set out on gov.uk and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology is a member of the Digital and Technology Committee. Matters related to science may be considered by a range of committees as relevant to their terms of reference.