Technology & Digital

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee: Neuroscience and digital childhoods

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will take oral evidence on how neuroscience research relates to children's development in the context of their increasing use of digital devices and online platforms. The inquiry examines what neuroscientific evidence tells us about the effects of screen time, social media, and digital interaction on children's brain development, learning, and mental health—and what implications this holds for policy and regulation.

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the publication of the Media Green Paper

An urgent question about the government's publication of a Media Green Paper, a consultation document setting out policy priorities for the media sector. The question, tabled by Conservative MP Nigel Huddleston, seeks a statement from the Culture Secretary on the contents and implications of the paper, which will likely address regulation of broadcasters, digital platforms, press standards, and the future of public service media.

Treasury Committee: Work of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority

The Treasury Committee will hear oral evidence on the work and performance of the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), a body tasked with reforming how government delivers major infrastructure and public services. The inquiry will examine whether NISTA is effectively driving efficiency, reducing costs, and improving delivery across England's public sector infrastructure and services.

Role of Big Tech in society

A Westminster Hall debate on the role of Big Tech companies in society, sponsored by Conservative MP Mark Pritchard. The debate will examine how large technology firms operate, their market power, employment practices, and broader social and economic effects. This is an exploratory discussion rather than a legislative proposal, allowing MPs to air concerns and seek government response on tech sector regulation and accountability.

G7 Summit

Foreign Secretary David Lammy will brief MPs on outcomes and discussions from the G7 Summit, the annual meeting of the world's seven largest advanced economies. The statement will cover international coordination on economic policy, security challenges, and global governance issues that affect Britain's economic and diplomatic interests.

Select Committee Statement on the First Special Report of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, Flying Blind: Innovation, Growth and the Regions: Government response, HC 271

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee is presenting its first special report, 'Flying Blind: Innovation, Growth and the Regions', which examines how innovation and technological development is distributed across different parts of the UK. The government will respond to the committee's findings and recommendations on whether regional disparities in tech growth are being adequately addressed.

Scottish Affairs Committee: Connectivity in Scotland: Fixed links

The Scottish Affairs Committee is examining how to improve fixed telecommunications and broadband connectivity across Scotland. Fixed links—fibre and cable infrastructure—are essential for rural and remote communities to access basic digital services, participate in the economy, and access public services. This inquiry will hear evidence on barriers to rollout, investment gaps, and what further government intervention may be needed.

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee: Low-energy computing

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will take oral evidence on low-energy computing—computing systems and practices designed to minimize power consumption. This inquiry examines how Britain can develop and adopt more efficient computing technologies, addressing both the environmental impact of data centers and IT infrastructure, and the economic opportunity for UK tech firms to lead in energy-efficient hardware and software design.

Remaining stages of the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill

Parliament will complete the remaining parliamentary stages of the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill, which updates the UK's rules for protecting critical digital infrastructure from cyber attacks. The bill modernises how essential services—banks, energy networks, hospitals, and telecoms—must defend against cyber threats and report security incidents, replacing an earlier EU-derived directive with a regime tailored to current risks.

Health and Social Care Committee: Federated Data Platform

The Health and Social Care Committee will take oral evidence on the Federated Data Platform, a proposed system to link health and social care data across different NHS trusts and local authorities. The platform aims to enable better data sharing and analytics without centralising sensitive patient information in a single location. The session will examine how the system works, its governance, and whether it can deliver improved care coordination while protecting privacy.

Business and Trade Committee: Artificial Intelligence, business and the future of the workforce

A private meeting of the Business and Trade Committee. The committee scrutinises the government's trade policy, business regulation, and competitiveness strategy. Without a published agenda, the specific items under discussion are not disclosed, but such meetings typically cover trade negotiations, business support programmes, export promotion, and regulatory reform affecting UK commerce.

Second Delegated Legislation Committee: The draft Digital Waste Tracking (England) Regulations 2026

Parliament will scrutinise draft regulations establishing a digital tracking system for waste across England. The regulations set technical standards and operational rules for businesses to record and monitor waste movements through a digital platform, replacing or supplementing paper-based waste documentation. The committee will examine whether the scheme strikes the right balance between environmental accountability and compliance burdens on waste producers, handlers, and recyclers.

Growing up in the online world consultation: Progress Statement

Liz Kendall will update the Commons on progress from the government's consultation into how children navigate online safety and digital wellbeing. The statement will set out findings and next steps on protecting young people in digital spaces, a core concern as children spend increasing time online.

Public Accounts Committee: Investment in research infrastructure

The Public Accounts Committee will examine how government invests in research infrastructure across the UK. The inquiry will assess whether spending on labs, equipment, facilities, and digital research systems delivers value for money and supports Britain's scientific competitiveness. This is a scrutiny hearing to establish whether these long-term investments are well-managed and aligned with the government's growth and innovation priorities.

Environmental Audit Committee: Risks and opportunities to the sustainability of data centres in the UK

The Environmental Audit Committee is taking oral evidence on the sustainability risks and opportunities created by data centres in the UK. Data centres consume vast amounts of electricity and water, raising questions about their environmental footprint as demand surges with artificial intelligence and cloud computing. The inquiry will examine how to balance the economic benefits and technological necessity of data centres against their climate and resource impacts.

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee: Neuroscience and digital childhoods

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will hear oral evidence on how neuroscience research relates to children's development in the digital age. The inquiry examines the effects of screen time, social media, and digital technology on young brains during critical developmental periods, and what the science tells us about safeguarding children's cognitive and mental health online.

Remaining stages of the Railways Bill

Parliament will complete the remaining parliamentary stages of the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill, which updates the UK's framework for protecting critical digital infrastructure from cyber attacks. The bill modernises how the government regulates and supports organisations that run essential services—from energy and water to health and transport—to meet growing cyber threats. This is the final opportunity for MPs to debate and amend the legislation before it moves to the House of Lords.

Business and Trade Committee: China and the UK economy

The Business and Trade Committee will hear oral evidence on China's economic relationship with the UK. This inquiry examines trade patterns, investment flows, supply chain dependencies, and the strategic implications of China's role in the British economy—a relationship that has shifted as geopolitical tensions have risen and concerns about national security, intellectual property, and economic leverage have grown.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee: BBC Royal Charter Review

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee will take oral evidence on the BBC Royal Charter Review, examining how the Corporation should be governed and funded in the coming years. The Royal Charter is the BBC's constitutional settlement; reviewing it every ten years allows Parliament to scrutinise the broadcaster's remit, independence, accountability, and financial model. This session will hear from witnesses—likely including BBC leadership and external experts—on how the charter should evolve to reflect changing media consumption and public expectations.

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology if she will make a statement on the Government’s new policy announcements regarding children’s online safety, social media and smartphones

A Liberal Democrat MP is calling on the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to explain the government's new policy announcements on protecting children from online harms. This urgent question seeks clarity on what specific measures Labour plans to introduce around children's social media use, smartphone access, and online safety—a topic that has gained prominence amid concerns about mental health impacts on young people and the role of tech platforms in facilitating harm.

Northern Ireland Affairs Committee: Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors

The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee will take oral evidence on economic growth opportunities in Northern Ireland, focusing on new and emerging sectors. The inquiry examines which industries offer the best prospects for job creation and regional development, and what conditions would help these sectors flourish.

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee: The science and regulation of hair and beauty products and treatments

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will hear oral evidence on how hair and beauty products and treatments are regulated, and the science underlying them. The inquiry examines whether current regulatory frameworks—which span multiple agencies and rules—adequately protect consumers while allowing innovation in a sector worth billions to the UK economy.

Business and Trade (including Topical Questions)

MPs will question the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on departmental priorities and current issues affecting the business sector, trading relationships, and economic policy. Topical questions allow backbenchers to raise pressing concerns about business regulation, trade agreements, industrial strategy, and economic competitiveness without notice.

Censorship of women’s health and wellbeing content online

This Westminster Hall debate examines how online platforms are censoring or restricting women's health and wellbeing content, including information on menstruation, menopause, contraception, and reproductive health. The debate will explore whether current content moderation policies inadvertently suppress legitimate health information and what steps the government should take to ensure women can access accurate health guidance online.

Science, Innovation and Technology (including Topical Questions)

MPs will pose oral questions to the Science, Innovation and Technology department about current priorities and policy challenges in scientific research, technological development, and innovation. The session includes topical questions, allowing MPs to raise urgent or emerging issues affecting the sector. This is a routine accountability mechanism for holding the department to account on its performance and strategic direction.

Business and Trade Sub-Committee on Economic Security, Arms and Export Controls: Critical minerals

A Business and Trade Sub-Committee meeting to examine economic security policy, military and defence exports, and arms control frameworks. The committee will scrutinise how the UK manages the intersection of trade, national security, and export regulation—particularly in sensitive sectors like defence technology and dual-use goods that can serve both civilian and military purposes.

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee: Pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of Ofcom

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will hold a pre-appointment hearing to scrutinise the candidate nominated to chair Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator. The hearing allows MPs to question the appointee on their plans for regulating telecommunications, broadcasting, and postal services before the government formally confirms their appointment. This is a standard parliamentary check on major public appointments.

Scottish Affairs Committee: Connectivity in Scotland: Fixed links

The Scottish Affairs Committee is holding oral evidence sessions on fixed links connectivity in Scotland—examining physical infrastructure and network connections that enable reliable broadband and telecommunications access across the country. The inquiry focuses on how Scotland's geography, sparse population in rural areas, and existing infrastructure gaps affect the rollout and quality of fixed-line services to homes and businesses.

Business and Trade Committee: China and the UK economy

A private meeting of the Business and Trade Committee scheduled for 19 May 2026. The committee oversees UK trade policy, business regulation, and industrial strategy. Without a published agenda, the specific topics under discussion are not yet public, but the committee typically examines trade negotiations, competitiveness, investment, and sectoral issues affecting British business.

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee: Innovation and global food security

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will hear oral evidence on how innovation can help secure global food supplies. The inquiry examines the role of new technologies—such as precision agriculture, plant breeding, and digital farming systems—in boosting crop yields, reducing waste, and building resilience to climate shocks. The focus is whether UK research and industry can lead in developing and exporting these solutions.

Education Committee: Reading for Pleasure

The Education Committee will take oral evidence on the effects of screen time and social media on children and young people. The hearing will examine how excessive digital device use and social media exposure affect learning, mental health, and development, and what policy or regulatory responses might be needed.

Education Committee: Screen Time and Social Media

The Education Committee is conducting oral evidence sessions to investigate the effects of screen time and social media on young people. This inquiry will examine how digital devices and social platforms impact children's wellbeing, development, and educational outcomes, and will likely explore what regulatory or policy measures should be considered.

Business and Trade Committee: Industrial Strategy

This is a private meeting of the Business and Trade Committee, a select committee responsible for scrutinising government policy and performance on business, trade, and enterprise matters. The committee examines issues affecting the UK's economic competitiveness, trade relationships, and business environment.

UK-India Technology Security Initiative

A Westminster Hall debate on the UK-India Technology Security Initiative, exploring enhanced technological and security cooperation between the UK and India. The debate will examine the strategic partnership's scope, implementation, and implications for both nations' technological sovereignty and defence capabilities.