Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using the UK - Faroe Islands free trade agreement to encourage his Faroese counterparts to ban dolphin hunting.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement provides an important framework for the UK Government to engage with the Faroese Government. UK officials have and will continue to raise the UK's opposition to cetacean hunting at meetings of the Joint Committee established under the Agreement, which provides a valuable forum for discussions on issues of concern. The Faroese Government is in no doubt as to the strength of feeling and opposition in the UK to cetacean hunting.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how many of the projects listed on the UKRI Gateway to Research portal awarded funding within each of the last five years involve the use of live animals under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UKRI Gateway to Research portal does not record whether projects involve the use of live animals under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Information is held separately by individual research councils and is not available as a UKRI-wide figure. The Medical Research Council identified 181 relevant grants in 2022, 166 in 2023, 155 in 2024 and 116 in 2025. Equivalent data for 2021 are unavailable. These figures exclude relevant research supported through MRC units and institutes, which is not reportable by calendar year. The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council identified 74 relevant awards in 2021, 58 in 2022, 76 in 2023, 68 in 2024 and 56 in 2025.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the total amount of funding provided across all Government departments for scientific research involving the use of live animals.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

His Majesty’s Government has not made an estimate of the total amount of funding provided across all Government departments for scientific research involving the use of live animals. Public funding for research involving animals is provided through a range of organisations and programmes that support broader scientific and medical research objectives. These organisations and programmes have different data collection and reporting systems in place, and therefore this information cannot be consistently identified across Government.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, for what reason has the Trade Remedies Authority has initiated an interim review into potential changes to anti-dumping duties.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Trade Remedies Authority self-initiated an interim review on the existing anti-dumping measure on imports of ceramic tableware and kitchenware from China on 20 July 2026. The TRA publicly set out the reasons for initiating the review on their public file, primarily because there was evidence that the existing anti-dumping duty may not be sufficient to prevent or offset the current level of dumping.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the potential value to UK exporters of resolving the market access barriers recorded on the Digital Market Access Service in the 2025-26 financial year.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

323 market access barriers were reported in the financial year 2025/26. It includes all barriers that have been recorded onto the DMAS within one financial year. Once these have been resolved, the Department publishes their potential value in DBT annual report and accounts as indicators on departmental performance. These are valued using the BIST methodology on valuing market access barriers published on Gov.UK. In the financial year 2025 - 26, the Department resolved 133 barriers in full, worth around £13 billion in potential additional exports to UK businesses over 5 years.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he has plans to introduce a standing agenda item on dolphin hunting at future meetings of the Joint Committee established under the UK - Faeroe Island Free Trade Agreement.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK-Faroe Islands Free Trade Agreement provides an important framework for the UK Government to engage with the Faroese Government. UK officials have and will continue to raise the UK's opposition to cetacean hunting at meetings of the Joint Committee established under the Agreement, which provides a valuable forum for discussions on issues of concern, and for which the agenda is mutually agreed in advance. The Faroese Government is in no doubt as to the strength of feeling and opposition in the UK to cetacean hunting.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the total amount of funding provided across all Government departments for scientific research involving human-specific research methods and technologies.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

His Majesty’s Government has not made an estimate of the total amount of funding provided across all Government departments for scientific research involving human-specific research methods and technologies. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) invests in a range of research that supports human-specific approaches, including organ-on-a-chip technologies, cell-based assays, functional genomics and computer modelling. These activities are generally categorised within broader research programmes, and funding for human-specific research methods is not separately identified across Government.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Competition and Markets Authority opening a Strategic Market Status investigation, under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, into Amazon's retail marketplace and its sponsored product and retail media advertising activities.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is the UK's independent competition authority responsible for operating the digital markets regime. The Government does not conduct its own assessment of individual CMA investigations. Decisions on investigations, designations and interventions under the regime are a matter for the CMA.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, when he will publish his response to the Competition and Markets Authority's market study into the supply of railway and public road infrastructure by the civil engineering sector.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government is working to finalise its response and will publish it as soon as possible.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of employers failing to inform unsuccessful applicants of the outcome of their job applications on the ability of those applicants to seek alternative employment.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The government recognises concerns raised by young people who contributed to Alan Milburn's interim review of the rise in the number of 16 to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Many reported submitting large numbers of job applications but receiving either no response or only automated rejections.

The government is considering these concerns and will respond to any recommendations arising from Alan Milburn's final review once it is published.

The government is not aware of any jurisdiction that legally requires employers to respond individually to every job application and has no current plans to introduce such a requirement. However, applicants may wish to request feedback from employers where appropriate. Employers must also comply with their obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and must not unlawfully discriminate during recruitment or selection processes.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to encourage employers to inform all job applicants on the outcome of their applications.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The government recognises concerns raised by young people who contributed to Alan Milburn's interim review of the rise in the number of 16 to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Many reported submitting large numbers of job applications but receiving either no response or only automated rejections.

The government is considering these concerns and will respond to any recommendations arising from Alan Milburn's final review once it is published.

The government is not aware of any jurisdiction that legally requires employers to respond individually to every job application and has no current plans to introduce such a requirement. However, applicants may wish to request feedback from employers where appropriate. Employers must also comply with their obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and must not unlawfully discriminate during recruitment or selection processes.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment they have made of whether the UK's Sovereign Tech and Sovereign AI funding programmes are adequately supporting the UK's digital sovereignty; and what criteria are used to assess applications to those programmes.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The Sovereign AI Fund, backed by £500 million, seeks to grow and anchor strategically important UK AI companies, helping them scale in the UK while supporting economic resilience, high-quality jobs and growth. Alongside direct equity investment, Sovereign AI can help companies access public compute, R&D funding, talent support, procurement opportunities and wider government support.

The Fund focuses on areas where the UK has existing underlying strengths and government action can materially improve scaling outcomes; These areas include compute and infrastructure, foundation models, AI for life sciences, AI for scientific discovery, and AI assurance. Applications are assessed against published written criteria and the Fund’s broader strategic objectives.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that employers using artificial intelligence in recruitment do not discriminate against women and older workers.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Most AI systems are already regulated at the point of use by our existing expert regulators. For example, the ICO is currently consulting on their draft guidance about automated decision-making, including profiling.

Government has also previously published Responsible AI in Recruitment guidance which sets out good practice procuring and deploying AI systems for HR and recruitment. This guidance highlights the mechanisms that can be used to ensure the fair and trustworthy use of AI in recruitment.

The AI Economics Institute has also been set up to research and monitor AI’s economic and labour market impacts to inform cross-government policy responses and ensure AI delivers positive outcomes for the economy, jobs, and workers.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to improve Royal Mail delivery performance, including in Saltdean and Rottingdean.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The government has been clear that Royal Mail’s quality of service has not been good enough.

The government has discussed Royal Mail’s performance with the company and Ofcom, as the independent regulator, and they know there is more to do to improve stability and reliability for customers, but it is welcome that the most recently released quality of service figures, for Q1 26/27, show an improvement.

Ofcom is investigating Royal Mail’s 2025-26 quality of service performance, and Royal Mail has published a service improvement plan alongside a £500 million investment into frontline resourcing.

The government will continue to press Royal Mail for improvements in service quality.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact on trade in pound sterling of publishing a sector by sector summary of each trade deal that the UK has signed, including a guide for businesses on how to take full advantage of the potential merits of said deal.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

My Department publishes a series of policy and sector guides for new Free Trade Agreements at Entry into Force (EIF). We have recently published guides on the UK-India FTA including nine sector guides. We have also published guides for the UK’s FTAs with Australia, New Zealand, and CPTPP, which can be found on Business.gov.uk market pages. We will continue to publish guides for future FTAs at EIF.

For new FTAs, we publish impact assessments (IAs) to support the parliamentary scrutiny process, including sector assessments. The IAs for FTAs with Australia, New Zealand, CPTPP, and India can be found on gov.uk.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the potential impact on the value of UK exports in pound sterling of removing all of the market access barriers reported to his Department in 2025/2026.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

323 market access barriers were reported in the financial year 2025/26. In the financial year 2025 - 26, the Department resolved 133 barriers in full, worth around £13 billion in potential additional exports to UK businesses over 5 years. These are valued using the BIST methodology on valuing market access barriers published on Gov.UK.

The impact on UK exports of removing these market access barriers can take several years following the resolution of a barrier. Furthermore, the extent to which UK exporters are able to realise the potential value of the opportunity related to a market access barrier can depend on a variety of wider factors, such as global trading conditions. The Department is monitoring take-up and we will review impact over time in line with standard obligations to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of government interventions.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether any arms export licences for Israel which could materially contribute to the occupation of Palestine have been revoked since 8 September 2026.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government has concluded that Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful.

We have already suspended licences for equipment that might be used by the IDF in Gaza. This suspension remains in place. Additionally, we will now refuse all applications for exports that materially contribute to the occupation.

We have also reviewed all extant licences for exports to Israel on the same basis. All licences are maintained under careful and continual review, and we can and will suspend or revoke any that we assess materially contribute to the occupation.

No additional licences have been revoked or suspended since 8 September 2026. This is largely because licences for items that might materially contribute to the occupation have already been suspended because of Israel’s conduct in the Gaza conflict. We now have in effect an additional lock on relevant licences.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether there are any extant arms export licences for Israel that could be used to materially contribute to the occupation of Palestine.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government has concluded that Israel’s ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful.

We have already suspended licences for equipment that might be used by the IDF in Gaza. This suspension remains in place. Additionally, we will now refuse all applications for exports that materially contribute to the occupation.

We have also reviewed all extant licences for exports to Israel on the same basis. All licences are maintained under careful and continual review, and we can and will suspend or revoke any that we assess materially contribute to the occupation.

No additional licences have been revoked or suspended since 8 September 2026. This is largely because licences for items that might materially contribute to the occupation have already been suspended because of Israel’s conduct in the Gaza conflict. We now have in effect an additional lock on relevant licences.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how many investigations into suspected phoenix company activity have been undertaken by the Insolvency Service in each of the last five years; and how many resulted in enforcement action.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Insolvency Service did not, before April 2025, record investigations in a way that consistently identifies every case where phoenix activity formed part of the misconduct. Partial management information may be identified, but it would not provide a complete picture because phoenix activity may have been recorded under wider misconduct allegations. Internal management information for 2025/26 shows 123 civil investigations and 50 criminal investigations connected with abusive phoenix behaviours. Enforcement outcomes connected with abusive phoenix behaviours in 2025/26 included 88 director disqualifications, 18 companies being wound up and 5 criminal convictions.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how much funding was provided to the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research in each year from 2020 to 2025; and what proportion of that funding was allocated to replacing the use of animals in scientific procedures.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 08 September 2026 to Question UIN 23681 Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department (a) uses or (b) is taking steps to install rooftop solar panels on its premises.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade (BIST) occupies premises predominantly owned, leased, and managed by the Government Property Agency (GPA) who are responsible for building assets, including the installation and use of rooftop solar panels.

BIST is engaging with GPA through its Net Zero Programme to track progress in this area and understands GPA intends to undertake feasibility studies and energy audits at a number of sites during this financial year to assess opportunities for rooftop solar panel installation.

Funding support for public bodies to install solar panels has been available through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) with a total of over £3 billion made available up 2028. Great British Energy (GBE) also supports public sector decarbonisation and the GBE Solar programme is investing £255 million to fund around 250 schools, around 260 NHS sites, and around 15 military sites to install solar panels across the country.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how much funding his Department has provided to Government research councils for (a) animal-based research and (b) the development of non-animal experimentation methods in each of the last five years.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

It is not possible to provide an overall funding figure for research councils funding for animal-based research and the development of non-animal methods, as funding is not generally allocated to UKRI based on specific research approaches. UKRI funds research on the basis of scientific excellence and need. Through its standard funding processes, UKRI only supports research involving animals where no scientifically acceptable non-animal alternative exists and where researchers have properly considered and applied the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs). UKRI also supports non-animal approaches, including through investment in the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of productivity in the building industry; and what steps they are taking to improve it.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

An ONS study in 2021 (Productivity in the construction industry, UK - Office for National Statistics) concluded that both the level of productivity, and the rate of productivity improvement in the construction sector, have historically been below that of the wider economy, and have not changed much in decades.

The Government is addressing this challenge through investing £625m in the Construction Skills Challenge, £85m in the Industrialising and Digitalising Construction Challenge, and has also worked with the industry to develop a Publicly Available Specification, PAS 4010, which will create a consistent approach to managing productivity improvement in the sector.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government how much money was spent from the Faraday Battery Challenge Fund; what key lessons have been learned from the programme; and which battery technologies developed with support from the programme are now in successful deployment.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Faraday Battery Challenge (2017-2025) was supported by £610 million of Government funding and helped establish the UK as a global leader in battery research, innovation and scale-up. It supported over 118 battery projects and helped unlock more than £800 million of follow-on private investment, with around 80% of projects led by SMEs. Supported technologies include advanced anodes, solid-state batteries and battery recycling. Key lessons include the need to link research, innovation and industrialisation to accelerate commercialisation. Its successor, the Battery Innovation Programme, will build on this legacy with £452 million in funding to 2030.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, when HM Revenue and Customs last updated the non-eligible postcode list published under the Notice to Importers: imports from Israel into the United Kingdom; and whether that data is shared with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support labelling enforcement.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The non-eligible postcode list was last updated on 22 August 2025 and HMRC work in cooperation with the relevant government departments on enforcement. However, as of 8 September the Foreign Secretary has announced an import ban on goods from Israeli Settlements. This ban will subsume our existing measures and by design is aimed at being disruptive to the economic drivers that help illegal settlements grow. Detailed guidance for businesses on the implications of this will be published alongside the legislation, and we will work closely with colleagues across government on the design and enforcement of these new measures.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, further to the answer of 3 June 2026, to Question 3339, on Special Advisers: Public Appointments, how many delivery advisers have been appointed to date, broken down by (a) special advisers, (b) Direct Ministerial Appointments, (c) civil servants appointed by exception, and (d) permanent civil servants appointed through open competition.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

A list of special advisers is published each year in the Annual Report on Special Advisers. The department has made zero Delivery Advisers appointments.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of sanctions on companies involved in settlements in the West Bank on the medicines supply chain.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The measures announced by the Foreign Secretary on 8 September will include restrictions on the import into the UK of goods originating in illegal settlements. These measures will be carefully designed to target trade with illegal settlements, while protecting legitimate trade between the UK and ‘Green Line’ Israel, including medicines and medical products. The current assessment is that the potential impact on the medicines supply chain will be low, but we will continue to monitor this following the announcement of the measures, in line with the standard process when introducing new Statutory Instruments.

Detailed guidance will be published alongside the implementing legislation to clarify the implications for UK businesses, and we will work closely with industry partners to maintain the medical supply trade and ensure continuity of supply to UK patients.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what recent steps he has taken to increase trade with Canada.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK and Canada share a strong trading relationship, underpinned by our existing free trade agreement and worth £34 billion in 2025[1]. It was bolstered on September 1^st by Canadian ratification of the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. This will provide further opportunities for businesses.

In addition, the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group was set up to strengthen bilateral trade ties as joint trusted and reliable partners. It has a number of priority workstreams to further grow trade and drive cooperation, including a review of the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement’s Rules of Origin chapter. This work is currently underway, and we aim to conclude it over the coming months.

[1] Canada trade and investment factsheet

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Vallance of Balham on 16 December 2025 (HL12581), whether they have an updated timeline for the publication of Research England’s Strategic Institutional Research Funding review.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Strategic Institutional Research Funding (SIRF) Review remains ongoing. As outlined in the UKRI Strategy, the review is assessing the effectiveness of Research England’s block grant funding and allocation mechanisms. Any resulting changes to SIRF allocations will be implemented by the end of the Spending Review period.

Rather than a final publication, outputs will be published as they are finalised. Research England plans to publish the Transparency Programme pilot findings, the SIRF Impact Evaluation and the Condition of the Research Estate reports by December 2026 and will continue to work with stakeholders on future elements including a SIRF evaluation report.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the expansion of artificial intelligence data centres in the UK is supported by sufficient energy and grid capacity.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises that growth in AI and data centres is increasing electricity demand and that grid connection delays are a major barrier to new capacity in the UK.

To address this, the Government is reforming the connections process to better support strategically important demand, including data centres. Working with DESNZ, Ofgem and the National Energy System Operator, reforms will reduce delays, limit speculative applications and prioritise viable projects, helping unlock capacity faster while maintaining security of supply. Through the AI Energy Council, we are exploring a resilient, sustainable and scalable solution.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the non-technical summaries of project licences granted in 2025, what steps his Department is taking to reduce the number of beagles authorised for use in scientific procedures.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government remains committed to reducing and replacing the use of animals in science, including dogs. Under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 the statutory principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement require animals to be used only where there is no scientifically satisfactory alternative, in the minimum numbers necessary, and with procedures refined to minimise suffering. Through the Replacing Animals in Science strategy, we are accelerating the development, validation and regulatory uptake of alternative methods, supported by investment, regulatory reform and strengthened delivery oversight. The strategy sets out a long-term vision to eliminate animal use in science wherever possible.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will make it his policy to introduce a statutory timetable, as proposed by Herbie’s Law, for replacing the use of beagles for use in scientific procedures where validated non-animal methods are available.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Member for Falkirk to the answer provided on 17 July 2026 in response to UIN 18685.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support UK businesses to make greater use of artificial intelligence to develop new products and services.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government’s ambition is for the UK to be the fastest adopter of AI in the G7, helping to unlock growth and productivity across the economy, and support new opportunities for workers. We have committed over £200 million to help UK businesses adopt AI so they can realise this opportunity and are working with industry, including through the appointment of AI Champions in key Industrial Strategy sectors, Innovate UK’s BridgeAI programme which supports companies in areas of high growth potential which are currently low adopters of AI, and the AI Skills Boost initiative to upskill 10 million workers by 2030.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have assessed the amount of additional water required to the meet the needs of AI and associated industries and services; and whether they have targets for additional supply of water for each of the regions of England.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, works with DEFRA, the Environment Agency and others to ensure that AI-enabled data infrastructure does not compromise public water supply resilience. Water resource planning in England is undertaken through statutory Water Resources Management Plans prepared by water companies, regional water resources plans, and the Environment Agency's National Framework for Water Resources.

The Government supports the adoption of efficient cooling technologies (closed-loop systems) and alternative sources like rainwater harvesting. National planning policy embeds consideration of sustainable water use and resource efficiency in decision making. In 2025, a techUK–Environment Agency survey found that 51% of surveyed sites use closed loop cooling systems, and 64% use less than 10,000m³ of water per year. This is small compared to other sectors.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the growth of start-ups developing artificial intelligence and financial technology.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The UK is one of the best places in the world to start and grow an AI company: in 2025 we produced the second most AI start-ups globally and attracted the third highest levels of AI private investment. The financial services sector is adopting AI faster than the economy as a whole; 21% of firms, against 16% across all sectors. Through our Sovereign AI Fund, backed by up to £500 million, we invest directly in high-potential British start-ups, give them access to compute through the AI Research Resource, and provide grants through Innovate UK's £130 million Growth Catalyst.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many data centres are using or adapting their equipment to enable recycling of their own water for cooling systems; and how many data centres of older design and construction are not proceeding with such improvements and will continue to reply on a local water supply.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, works with DEFRA, the Environment Agency and others to ensure data infrastructure growth does not compromise public water supply resilience. To that end, the Government supports the adoption of efficient cooling technologies (closed-loop systems) and alternative sources like rainwater harvesting. National planning policy embeds consideration of sustainable water use and resource efficiency in decision making. In 2025, a techUK–Environment Agency survey found that 51% of surveyed sites use closed loop cooling systems, and 64% use less than 10,000m³ of water per year. This is small compared to other sectors. Data centres in England are estimated to account for around 0.2% of non-household water use.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of requiring datacentre operators to report on the purpose and end use of their computing capacity as a condition of planning approval or grid connection.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The UK needs domestic data centre capacity to support critical workloads that drive economic growth, deliver public services, and protect national security. That is why the Government has designated specific data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, recognising their importance to protecting essential workloads and national resilience. However, many data centres are co-location facilities that lease space to multiple tenants, or are cloud providers serving diverse customers. Developers often cannot confirm exact end uses when applying for relevant approvals, as these frequently change as tenants and workloads evolve.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential economic impact of improving international intellectual property enforcement for UK creative businesses.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK Government recognises that intellectual property (IP) enforcement is essential to supporting growth for UK creators, rights holders and businesses operating internationally to secure returns on investment in innovation and creativity.

While no specific assessment has been made of the potential impact of improving international IP enforcement for UK creative businesses, the OECD has estimated trade in goods infringing UK IP rights was worth £12.1 billion in 2021, with associated sales, jobs and public revenue impacts.

The Intellectual Property Office supports UK businesses protecting their rights overseas by working with international partners, law enforcement and industry to strengthen IP enforcement frameworks.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will take steps to increase funding for non-animal New Approach Methodologies to improve innovation and support the transition away from animal testing.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the Hon Member to the answer provided on 15 July 2026 in response to Question 16739.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Leong on 1 September (HL2203), does the Minister for Small Business and Enterprise physically attend departmental offices to undertake ministerial duties during periods of strike action by departmental civil servants or contractors.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer given to UIN HL2203 on 29 July 2026.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he plans to take to prevent the potential circumvention of the proposed ban on settlement goods through the trans-shipment, processing and re-export of goods through Israel and third countries.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The measures announced by the Foreign Secretary on 8 September will restrict the import of goods originating in illegal settlements into the UK.

The UK enforces sanctions through a coordinated cross-government approach, with specialist departments and agencies responsible for specific sanctions measures.

Our trade policies are designed to be as effective as possible - UK enforcement effort will be focused on ensuring that goods originating in illegal settlements are not allowed to be imported into the UK. This will be through a coordinated cross-government approach with specialist departments, and agencies responsible for specific sanctions measures.

Where breaches occur, bodies including OFSI (the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, within HMT), HMRC, DfT, the Home Office, OTSI (the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation, within BIST) and the NCA can use civil and criminal powers, which range from warnings and civil penalties to prosecution in the most serious cases including powers to confiscate assets held to be the proceeds of crime.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to protect and enhance UK sovereign capability to design and build satellites.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Through the UK Space Strategy, Government is investing £7.8 billion in the UK space sector to 2029/30, including £2.8 billion in satellite communications to strengthen and scale UK satellite manufacturing and capabilities. Programmes including ESA ARTES, Moonlight and C-LEO will support UK firms to develop and commercialise satellite technologies, strengthen supply chains and secure opportunities in future satellite constellations. The Government is also taking a more interventionist approach to the sector, using grants, procurement and other targeted interventions to support strategically important UK space companies and enhance the UK's ability to design, build and operate satellites, building on our successful heritage in this area.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce the risk to the UK economy and national security from loss of access to frontier artificial intelligence models developed overseas.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is working to build domestic capability in AI where the UK has strengths; collaborate with trusted partners where this increases UK access and influence; and secure access to frontier capabilities where this is essential. We have taken significant steps to build sovereign capability through establishing the £500m Sovereign AI Fund to support UK AI companies; provision of compute via the AI Research Resource; establishing AI Growth Zones to build data centres; and the £1.1bn AI Hardware Plan to build out critical capabilities in key parts of the AI value chain.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support the use of artificial intelligence and human-based laboratory models in the development of new medicines.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government is supporting the use of artificial intelligence and human-based laboratory models in medicines development through the Replacing Animals in Science strategy and wider work to accelerate AI adoption across the UK life sciences sector. This includes investment in AI-enabled tools, organ-on-a-chip systems, advanced cell and tissue models, and other human-relevant approaches to predict the safety and effectiveness of new medicines. We have invested £20 million in the Pre-clinical Translational Models Hub and up to £2 million through Innovate UK to support innovative technologies, including AI tools and human tissue models. The Government has also appointed an AI Champion for the life sciences sector and is taking forward the AI Opportunities Action Plan to support the development, adoption and responsible use of AI technologies, alongside work to support their validation and regulatory uptake through the UK Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether the retention of existing strategic export licences relating to Israel will be reassessed according to considerations of whether they materially contribute to the occupation of the West Bank.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government has concluded that Israel's ongoing occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful. We have already suspended licences for equipment that might be used by the IDF in Gaza. This suspension remains in place. Additionally, we will now refuse all applications for exports that materially contribute to the occupation.

We have also reviewed all extant licences for exports to Israel on the same basis. All licences are maintained under careful and continual review, and we can and will suspend or revoke any that we assess materially contribute to the occupation.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what estimate his Department has made of the amount of public funding allocated to the development, validation and uptake of human-specific research methods in each year from 2020 to 2025.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 28 August 2026 to Question UIN 23680 Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions to Science and Technology Facilities Council programmes on regional growth and high-skilled jobs in regions of the country facing cuts.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), as part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), completed an evidence-based prioritisation exercise to ensure its portfolio remains financially sustainable and focused on the highest-priority scientific opportunities. As part of this process, STFC grant funding for Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear Physics postdoctoral researchers was maintained at 2025/26 levels, while PhD studentships and fellowships were also protected helping to sustain the UK's skills base, research expertise and long-term scientific capability.

STFC continues to invest in major research infrastructure that supports regional growth and high-skilled employment, including £327 million in the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) between 2021 and 2030. Headquartered in the North West, SKAO is expected to unlock around £225 million of foreign direct investment and £280 million of additional UK economic value.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of protections available to small businesses when seeking compensation from private parcel delivery and courier companies for lost, damaged or delayed deliveries.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

We want to see all delivery companies provide a good level of service for customers and businesses and the government has been clear that some operators need to do more to meet the expectations of their customers.

Ofcom is the independent regulator for the parcel delivery sector, and it monitors the experiences of businesses and consumers of parcel delivery services. Ofcom’s last annual post monitoring report found that around eight in ten SMEs were satisfied overall with delivery services.

Ofcom has, however, recognised growing concerns about parcel operators’ delivery performance and is keeping the need for enforcement or additional regulation under review.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the level of reliability of private parcel delivery and courier services on small and medium sized businesses.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

We want to see all delivery companies provide a good level of service for customers and businesses and the government has been clear that some operators need to do more to meet the expectations of their customers.

Ofcom is the independent regulator for the parcel delivery sector, and it monitors the experiences of businesses and consumers of parcel delivery services. Ofcom’s last annual post monitoring report found that around eight in ten SMEs were satisfied overall with delivery services.

Ofcom has, however, recognised growing concerns about parcel operators’ delivery performance and is keeping the need for enforcement or additional regulation under review.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of Royal Mail’s performance against its universal service obligations in Scotland.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The government remains committed to ensuring a reliable universal postal service for users across all parts of the United Kingdom.

We have been clear that Royal Mail’s quality of service has not been good enough. The government has discussed Royal Mail’s performance with the company and Ofcom, as the independent regulator, and they know there is more to do to improve stability and reliability for customers, but it is welcome that the most recently released quality of service figures, for Q1 26/27, show an improvement.

Ofcom is investigating Royal Mail’s quality of service performance for 2025-26, and Royal Mail has published a service improvement plan alongside a £500 million investment into frontline resourcing.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether UK Export Finance will exclude activities connected with the construction, expansion or economic development of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory from eligibility for its support.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

UK Export Finance (UKEF) works in accordance with government policy over sanctions and export licences, wherever they apply. UKEF does not support transactions involving illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. UKEF’s support for transactions in Israel only extends to projects within its internationally recognised borders.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of reductions to Science and Technology Facilities Council programmes on the UK's international scientific partnerships.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Major international subscriptions, including participation in world-leading facilities and collaborations, are being fully protected through Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)’s prioritisation decisions. This safeguards UK access, influence and leadership in international scientific partnerships. Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), as part of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), completed an evidence-based prioritisation exercise to ensure its portfolio remains financially sustainable and focused on the highest-priority scientific opportunities. Options were assessed against scientific excellence, long-term research impact, strategic importance to the UK and international leadership. Prioritisation decisions relating to individual projects do not impact the UK’s overall commitment to membership of international research infrastructure like CERN and SKAO.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 28 July 2026 to Question HL2133, on International Court of Justice, whether the Government made oral arguments to the International Court of Justice once the 2023 statement was withdrawn.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government strongly supports the International Labour Organization’s work and values its role in upholding and enhancing workers’ rights globally. We also fully respect the independence of the International Court of Justice and its vital role in upholding the rule of law.

On 7 October 2025, the Government delivered its oral statement before the International Court of Justice in the oral proceedings concerning the right to strike under ILO Convention No. 87, the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention 1948.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he intends to review the effectiveness of the voluntary register established under the Hairdressers Registration Act 1964.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

There is currently no planned review of the effectiveness of the voluntary register established under the Hairdressers Registration Act 1964. The Hairdressers Registration Act 1964 provides for a UK register of qualified hairdressers and barbers, although registration remains voluntary. Hairdressing salons and barbers are subject to a range of existing requirements, including health and safety and consumer protection legislation.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the cumulative impact of increases in the (i) National Minimum Wage, (ii) employer National Insurance contributions, (iii) business rates, and (iv) other employment costs, on small salon businesses.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Small salon businesses will benefit from the new permanently lower multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties. These new multipliers are worth nearly £1 billion per year and benefit over 750,000 properties.

The Government has also published a range of analytical documents covering the policies referenced, which set out their likely impacts on businesses of different sizes. Each Impact Assessment covering the Employment Rights Act 2025 and The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026 includes a small and micro business assessment.

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was also published alongside the changes to employer NICs, which sets out the impacts on the Exchequer, the economy, individuals and businesses. The Government is supporting smaller employers through the increased Employment Allowance of £10,500.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of (a) banning imports into the UK of goods and services originating from illegal settlements in the West Bank and (b) prohibiting the export of UK goods and services to illegal settlements in the West Bank.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK is clear that Israel's illegal settlements and decisions designed to further them are a flagrant violation of international law. The measures announced by the Foreign Secretary on 8 September will restrict the import of goods originating in illegal settlements into the UK. Furthermore, we are taking action on services, creating new designation powers to go after individuals and companies that support, facilitate or profit from illegal settlement activity. In addition, we will ban advertising or promotion of land and property in illegal settlements and strengthen our existing global human rights sanctions regime to go after those who defy international humanitarian law, in Palestine, and around the world.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what estimate he has made of the number of workers who benefited from the increase in the National Living Wage in Hamilton and Clyde Valley constituency.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Estimates by local authority and parliamentary constituency are not always available due to data reliability constraints.

Around 180,000 workers in Scotland were expected to benefit from a direct pay rise following National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) increases in April 2026. The 2026 NLW uplift is worth around £900 annually for a full-time worker, and over £1,500 for 18–20-year-olds on the NMW.

Further details can be found in the Impact Assessment The National Minimum Wage (Amendment) Regulations 2026.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what recent assessment he has made of the relationship between ticket fraud and activity in the secondary ticketing market.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The government has considered the relationship between ticket fraud and activity in the secondary ticketing market as part of its work on secondary ticketing reform on which the government made a clear manifesto commitment to strengthen protection for fans.

The government takes all forms of fraud seriously and is committed to working with law enforcement, industry and regulators to prevent fraud, pursue offenders and protect victims. We will continue to work with law enforcement and industry to raise awareness of how fans can protect themselves. Incidents of fraud should be reported to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or through its website at: www.reportfraud.police.uk.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of requiring AI companies to publish their training models.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The Government recognises that greater transparency about how AI developers train their models can support licensing, enforcement and creator control.

Our March report on AI and copyright committed to further work on input transparency. Since then, we have engaged extensively and continue to do so to understand what information is needed, what can feasibly be provided, and discuss best practice.

This will help establish what works and whether there is an appropriate role for government.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what proportion of individuals working as barbers in the UK hold recognised vocational qualifications, including NVQ Level 2 and 3.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade does not hold data on the total number of barbers or the qualifications they hold and therefore cannot determine the proportion holding recognised vocational qualifications, including NVQ Levels 2 and 3. However, published data by the Department for Education for England shows that there were 406 starts on the Barbering Professional apprenticeship in academic year 2023/24, 326 in 2024/25 and 196 so far in 2025/26 (from August 2025 to April 2026).

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether receipt of (i) support and (ii) priority access to an electricity-grid connection by a data-centre development will be conditional on compliance with minimum standards for (a) energy efficiency, (b) water efficiency, (c) the use of low-carbon electricity, (d) demand flexibility and (e) the recovery and reuse of waste heat.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The Government is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of the UK's data centre sector reflecting their critical importance to the economy, public services and national security. A limited number of strategically important data centres may be supported through the Connections Accelerator Service (CAS) subject to the CAS Project Selection Process. The selection process includes due diligence from DBIST and an evaluation of the project alignment to government priorities including economic growth, jobs and net zero objectives. CAS provides enhanced engagement with network companies to identify opportunities to accelerate connections where possible, but it does not guarantee an earlier connection date.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to implement a cross-government Artificial Intelligence Assurance strategy.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

AI assurance helps to build justified trust and confidence in AI systems, support responsible AI adoption, and drive economic growth.

That is why the Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade is taking action to implement the Government’s AI assurance strategy, as set out in the Roadmap to Trusted Third-Party AI Assurance (2025). This includes establishing the Centre for AI Measurement, led by the National Physical Laboratory to develop the technical and scientific foundations of AI assurance and deliver the AI Assurance Innovation Fund. We are also convening a multi-stakeholder consortium, led by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, to support the development of a recognised AI assurance profession.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 2 September 2026, to Question 19349, on DBIST: Flint Global, whether minutes were taken of the meeting between the Minister and James Purnell of Flint Global, and which client or clients was Flint Global representing.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Department holds a readout for the roundtable. The full list of attending companies has been published as part of the Department’s transparency returns on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/csv-preview/68640020354985706f111bd4/ministers_january_march_2025_meetings.csv

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of unregulated entry into the barbering industry on apprenticeship uptake and professional training.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade has not made a specific assessment of the impact of entry requirements in the barbering industry on apprenticeship uptake or professional training. The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for adult skills and apprenticeship policy, while the Department for Education retains responsibility for under-19 skills and further education provider accountability. The Government continues to support professional training through the Level 2 Barbering Professional apprenticeship.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 10 September to Question 26653 on Cameras: Wearable Technology, if he will make it his policy to restrict sale of high tech smart glasses only to those with a documented accessibility need.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

I refer the member for Warrington North to the answer I gave to UIN 26653 on 10^th September 2026.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of EU policies such as the Made in Europe initiative and Rules of Origin requirements on the UK motor trade and manufacturing sector.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government continues to engage closely with the UK and European automotive industry to understand the potential impacts of the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act and to make the case for an outcome that supports our shared automotive sector. The current proposal is still subject to changes whilst the file goes through the EU’s legislative process. We are also working with industry and EU counterparts to find potential solutions ahead of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement Electric Vehicle Rules of Origin rule change on 1 January 2027. Now is the time to work together as like-minded partners to boost Europe’s growth, resilience and economic security.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what recent steps his Department has taken to support small high street retail businesses operating within Royal Sutton Coldfield.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises the important role that small high street retailers play in supporting local economies and communities, including in Royal Sutton Coldfield.

We have introduced permanently lower business rates multipliers for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties, benefiting more than 750,000 premises.

Small businesses can access support through the Business Growth Service, Growth Hubs, the British Business Bank's Business Finance Hub, the Growth Guarantee Scheme, the Business Support Service and the Business Finance Finder.

More broadly, the Government remains committed to rejuvenating high streets and will bring forward a new High Streets Strategy to support businesses, local growth and thriving town centres.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what representation they are making to the European Union on issues affecting the UK motor sector, including those relating to supply chains and the manufacture of component parts.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Maintaining frictionless trade and a close, mutually beneficial relationship with the EU for the automotive sector and its wider supply chains is a top priority for this Government. This includes securing a workable outcome on Trade and Cooperation Agreement Electric Vehicle Rules of Origin and making the case for UK inclusion in the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act. We continue to engage with the European Commission, EU Member States, MEPs and industry on these issues to secure an outcome that supports our closely integrated supply chain with the EU. This result will ultimately benefit businesses on both sides of the Channel.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he has taken to support the motor vehicle industry.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

This Government has taken significant steps to support the Automotive Sector. Through DRIVE35, we are investing up to £4bn to support the transformation of the sector to zero emission vehicle manufacturing. We are also improving the sector’s competitiveness through lower energy costs under the forthcoming British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme. In addition, we have provided up to £2bn through the Electric Car Grant to reduce the upfront costs of buying electric vehicles, which has already helped over 160,000 consumers.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether the Government considers maintaining domestic cement manufacturing capability to be of strategic national importance.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government recognises the importance of the UK’s cement manufacturing industry, particularly to the Government’s goals of reindustrialisation and significant infrastructure projects. The cement sector receives support under the British Industry Supercharger (Supercharger) which exempts eligible businesses from certain electricity policy costs and provides 90% compensation for electricity network charges. Eligible cement manufacturing businesses benefitted from the uplift to the Network Charging Compensation Scheme, part of the Supercharger, and now save approximately £65 – 87/MWh on their electricity bills improving their competitiveness and mitigating the risk of carbon leakage and the offshoring of production to overseas competitors with less stringent climate change policies.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of Royal Mail's NHS option on delivery of health-related correspondence.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The government recognises the importance of timely delivery of NHS letters. Royal Mail has introduced an NHS barcode to assist NHS units that continue to rely on post to communicate with patients. In addition, NHS England and NHS Providers have produced guidance for NHS organisations, including a case study, to increase awareness and uptake of the variety of Royal Mail services for the timely delivery of letters.

NHS Providers understand that they must ensure they are sending patients’ post out within the right timeframe and it is for them to determine what service they use to enable that.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will consider introducing (a) guidance, (b) consumer protection measures, and (c) legislative proposals to ensure that charges applied by (i) holiday resorts, (ii) hotels and (iii) other hospitality businesses to 16 and 17-year-olds who are unable to access adult-only products and services are proportionate to the services 16 and 17-year-olds are legally permitted to receive.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

This department engages regularly with consumer organisations, regulators and industry representatives on a wide range of consumer issues and will continue to keep the effectiveness of the consumer protection framework under review.

We have not undertaken a specific review of charges applied by holiday resorts, hotels or other hospitality businesses to 16 and 17-year-olds. These are generally commercial decisions for the business to make. However, businesses must comply with consumer protection law, including requirements that information provided to consumers is clear and not misleading.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether he plans to announce the outcome of the review of employment rights for unpaid carers before Christmas recess 2026.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

We intend to publish the review’s final report in early 2027.

Officials are working at pace to review the significant number of consultation responses whilst finalising the evidence that the review has gathered overall. Following the review’s conclusion, we will publish a government response to the consultation, findings from the review and the next steps needed to ensure that unpaid carers can balance work and care.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with which countries their Department plans to pursue new free trade agreements with.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The UK Trade Strategy, published in June 2025, outlines the Government's priorities for the future of the Free Trade Agreement programme. Most recently, the Government has announced the negotiation of a Digital Trade Agreement with Malaysia. The Government has also launched a public consultation to inform the next phase of deepening the United Kingdom’s trade relationship with four global partners, including through their potential accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership: Indonesia, the Philippines, United Arab Emirates and Uruguay. Where decisions are formally taken to seek further Free Trade Agreements, they will be communicated to the House in the usual way.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the cumulative effect on UK downstream manufacturers of (a) the 50 per cent out-of-quota tariff applying under the steel trade measure introduced on 1 July 2026 and (b) existing anti-dumping duties on imports of corrosion-resistant steel and welded steel tubes originating in China; and whether he will publish that assessment.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The steel trade measure strikes a balance between securing the future of UK steel production and the impact on steel-using industries. The Government took, trade flows and existing trade remedies on relevant steel products into account when designing the measure. Explanatory Memoranda published alongside the legislation implementing the measure set out the expected impacts across the supply chain.

The TRA concluded both reviews referred to in March 2025 and August 2026 respectively, publishing their findings online. Neither included an assessment of the steel trade measure as there was either no data or insufficient data available. Existing trade remedy measures can also be reviewed if industry or the TRA believe there is sufficient evidence to warrant doing so.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the availability from UK producers of the grades and specifications of aluminised steel coil and tube used by downstream manufacturers; and if he will establish a process through which businesses can seek an exclusion, product-specific quota or other relief where an equivalent product is not manufactured in the UK in sufficient quantities.

Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The measure will apply only to product categories that can be made in the UK. In some instances, product codes contain both steel products that can and cannot be made domestically for technical reasons. Where this is the case, quotas have been designed to allow availability of these goods without unnecessary additional costs. Explanatory Memoranda published alongside the implementing legislation set out the expected impacts across the supply chain. We are closely monitoring the impacts, will continue to engage with businesses, and will review the full measure after 12 months.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what guidance is available to employers on making reasonable adjustments for employees with fluctuating conditions such as endometriosis.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

We are committed to helping working people balance their jobs with their personal lives, including those managing health conditions such as endometriosis. Endometriosis can be classified as a disability, in some cases, under the Equality Act 2010. Where an employee’s symptoms meet the definition, employers may be required to make reasonable adjustments. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published advice for employers on making reasonable adjustments. Where symptoms are not considered a disability, flexible working can also help people with long-term health conditions thrive at work, allowing employees and employers to agree arrangements that support individual needs alongside work.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to encourage employers adopting artificial intelligence to maintain a) entry-level employment and b) training pathways for young people.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

AI is transforming the labour market, and the government is acting to ensure young people can access entry-level roles and meaningful career pathways.

Backed by £20 million, the Early Careers Jobs Alliance brings together government, employers, trade unions and young people, initially focussed on the digital and technology sector, to map how entry-level work is changing and recommend how businesses can redesign roles whilst maintaining entry-level pathways.

The Government is also investing in AI upskilling and training initiatives, including the TechLocal AI Professional Degree and Traineeship Accelerator, providing £7.8 million to develop innovative courses, and the AI Skills Boost campaign which aims to upskill 10 million workers in AI skills by 2030.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to develop legally binding environmental regulations for lunar mining and habitation activities; and what assessment he has made of the adequacy of international frameworks, including the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, to prevent the appropriation of lunar resources.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The UK Government has an active voice in international discussions on peaceful uses of the Moon, including space resource use and protection of the lunar environment, via the Lunar Activities Action Team and Space Resources Working Group at the United Nations, and as a founding signatory of the Artemis Accords. The use of space resources is recognised as a key enabler of exploration, enabling humans to live and work on the Moon. The UK is helping lead the drive for international consensus on emerging lunar activities to promote safe, sustainable and peaceful exploration within the framework of international law, including the Outer Space Treaty.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of school holiday scheduling on consumer prices in the travel and tourism sector.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

Businesses in the travel sector consider many factors when setting prices including demand at peak times such as during the school holiday period. However, during periods of lower demand, the travel industry often offer early booking discounts or free chid places, for example. Some will offer late booking deals by reducing prices.

While no specific assessment has been made by the department, the government recognises that this can be a cost to families. We continue to engage with the industry, encouraging competitiveness, price transparency and innovation to promote growth and to ensure that consumers cans choose the best deals.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to promote good practice among employers in communicating recruitment decisions to job applicants.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The government recognises concerns raised by young people who contributed to Alan Milburn's interim review of the rise in the number of 16 to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Many reported submitting large numbers of job applications but receiving either no response or only automated rejections.

The government is considering these concerns and will respond to any recommendations arising from Alan Milburn's final review once it is published.

The government does not collect data on job applications. Recruitment practices, including whether unsuccessful candidates are notified about the outcome of their application, are matters for individual employers. Employers must, however, comply with their obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and must not discriminate unlawfully during recruitment or selection processes.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what data his Department holds on the proportion of job applicants who are not informed of the outcome of their applications.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The government recognises concerns raised by young people who contributed to Alan Milburn's interim review of the rise in the number of 16 to 24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). Many reported submitting large numbers of job applications but receiving either no response or only automated rejections.

The government is considering these concerns and will respond to any recommendations arising from Alan Milburn's final review once it is published.

The government does not collect data on job applications. Recruitment practices, including whether unsuccessful candidates are notified about the outcome of their application, are matters for individual employers. Employers must, however, comply with their obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and must not discriminate unlawfully during recruitment or selection processes.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how much his Department spent on activities relating to Pride Month 2026.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

No money was spent on activities relating to Pride Month 2026 by former Department for Business and Trade or former Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how the Approved Code for the home improvement sector will interact with the Competition and Markets Authority's principles for trader recommendation platforms.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO) will deliver an Approved Code that traders can sign up to. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) will provide oversight of the Approved Code. The Approved Code will have built-in Alternative Dispute Resolution for consumer redress.

Trusted Payments was developed in collaboration with the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman (DRO), who have business links to FHIO, to provide a service that traders and consumers can use to ensure money is held safely in escrow while work is completed.

Government supported the launch as it improves consumer choice and protection in a key sector where detriment levels are consistently high. The Government will monitor the success of the scheme, including take-up and the number of disputes resolved.

The FHIO worked with industry during development, and the announcement was welcomed by a range of bodies, including the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Citizens Advice and Which?.

Trader recommendation platforms are not directly affected, but the Government expects them to play their part in keeping rogue builders out of the market.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, which organisations his Department consulted before announcing the Approved Code for the home improvement sector.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO) will deliver an Approved Code that traders can sign up to. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) will provide oversight of the Approved Code. The Approved Code will have built-in Alternative Dispute Resolution for consumer redress.

Trusted Payments was developed in collaboration with the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman (DRO), who have business links to FHIO, to provide a service that traders and consumers can use to ensure money is held safely in escrow while work is completed.

Government supported the launch as it improves consumer choice and protection in a key sector where detriment levels are consistently high. The Government will monitor the success of the scheme, including take-up and the number of disputes resolved.

The FHIO worked with industry during development, and the announcement was welcomed by a range of bodies, including the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Citizens Advice and Which?.

Trader recommendation platforms are not directly affected, but the Government expects them to play their part in keeping rogue builders out of the market.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what metrics his Department will use to evaluate the success of the Approved Code.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO) will deliver an Approved Code that traders can sign up to. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) will provide oversight of the Approved Code. The Approved Code will have built-in Alternative Dispute Resolution for consumer redress.

Trusted Payments was developed in collaboration with the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman (DRO), who have business links to FHIO, to provide a service that traders and consumers can use to ensure money is held safely in escrow while work is completed.

Government supported the launch as it improves consumer choice and protection in a key sector where detriment levels are consistently high. The Government will monitor the success of the scheme, including take-up and the number of disputes resolved.

The FHIO worked with industry during development, and the announcement was welcomed by a range of bodies, including the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Citizens Advice and Which?.

Trader recommendation platforms are not directly affected, but the Government expects them to play their part in keeping rogue builders out of the market.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if he will outline the process for selecting the Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman and Trusted Payments as delivery partners for the Approved Code and Trusted Payments schemes announced on 28 August 2026.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO) will deliver an Approved Code that traders can sign up to. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) will provide oversight of the Approved Code. The Approved Code will have built-in Alternative Dispute Resolution for consumer redress.

Trusted Payments was developed in collaboration with the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman (DRO), who have business links to FHIO, to provide a service that traders and consumers can use to ensure money is held safely in escrow while work is completed.

Government supported the launch as it improves consumer choice and protection in a key sector where detriment levels are consistently high. The Government will monitor the success of the scheme, including take-up and the number of disputes resolved.

The FHIO worked with industry during development, and the announcement was welcomed by a range of bodies, including the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Citizens Advice and Which?.

Trader recommendation platforms are not directly affected, but the Government expects them to play their part in keeping rogue builders out of the market.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what recent steps have been taken alongside (a) local authorities and (b) police forces to prevent the illegal use of fireworks in public spaces.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government continues to work with local authorities, Trading Standards, police forces and other enforcement partners to tackle the illegal use of fireworks. Local authorities and the police already have powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, including Community Protection Notices and Public Spaces Protection Orders, which can be used to address fireworks misuse in public spaces. We have also supported public awareness campaigns promoting the safe and considerate use of fireworks, published guidance for community display organisers.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps his Department has taken to help rights holders identify when their works have been used to train artificial intelligence models since March 2026.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The Government recognises that greater transparency about how AI developers train their models can support licensing, enforcement and creator control.

Our March report on AI and copyright committed to further work on input transparency. Since then, we have engaged 38 stakeholders and continue to engage to understand what information is needed, what can feasibly be provided, and discuss best practice.

We are also taking forward research into tools to help creators understand and manage how their works are used online, including technical solutions and standards. This work will help establish what works and whether there is an appropriate role for government.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what funding he has provided to UK companies developing graphene photonics and terahertz devices supporting high-bandwidth, narrow-beam links.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The Department does not hold information on total funding provided specifically to UK companies developing graphene photonics and terahertz devices supporting high-bandwidth, narrow-beam links. However, as announced in the Industrial Strategy, Government is funding the National Materials Innovation Programme, with the aim to drive translation and adoption of materials across key industrial sectors, building on previous support for R&D through the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) and the Henry Royce Institute.

The Government also supports the UK's photonics capabilities through targeted interventions that support individual sector needs, fostering innovation and growth across emerging technology areas.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 3 September 2026 to Question 23103 on Industry: Huntingdon, what is the complete list of potential opportunities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough which are potentially in scope for consideration.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Due to commercial sensitivities, we are unable to provide a complete list of sites identified through engagement undertaken as part of the Strategic Sites Accelerator's development. Decisions on the future of the programme remain subject to government approvals. We will continue to engage stakeholders and provide further information through the appropriate channels including an open call to sites in the coming months. The team are available to meet with site sponsors and engage on potential opportunities in the interim too.

Programme approvals are currently expected in the next few weeks, subject to any further due diligence required. We continue to work with HM Treasury and delivery partners to secure the necessary approvals and deliver the programme. We are still on track for delivery against schedules set from the announcement of the programme last year.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 3 September 2026 to Question 23103 on Industry: Huntingdon, by when does he expect the Treasury to decide on programme approvals that will include the Strategic Sites Accelerator.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Due to commercial sensitivities, we are unable to provide a complete list of sites identified through engagement undertaken as part of the Strategic Sites Accelerator's development. Decisions on the future of the programme remain subject to government approvals. We will continue to engage stakeholders and provide further information through the appropriate channels including an open call to sites in the coming months. The team are available to meet with site sponsors and engage on potential opportunities in the interim too.

Programme approvals are currently expected in the next few weeks, subject to any further due diligence required. We continue to work with HM Treasury and delivery partners to secure the necessary approvals and deliver the programme. We are still on track for delivery against schedules set from the announcement of the programme last year.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration his Department has given to the potential merits of implementing the recommendation from the Government Digital Sustainability Alliance's report on 'Water use in AI and Data Centres' to mandate comprehensive and location-based water reporting for data centres.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

BIST engages regularly with DEFRA and the Environment Agency to ensure data infrastructure does not compromise public water supply resilience. The Government supports efficient cooling technologies, including closed-loop systems and alternative sources such as rainwater harvesting.

AI Growth Zone applicants must provide water plans and confirmation of feasibility from the relevant water supplier. Data centre developers progressing through the NSIP regime must assess impacts on water resources through Environmental Impact Assessments, while national planning policy embeds sustainable water use and resource efficiency in decision-making.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what steps he is taking to help protect jobs from emerging technologies, including driverless cars.

Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Emerging technologies, including AI and self-driving vehicles, will change some jobs but also create new opportunities, boost productivity and improve working lives.

Self-driving vehicle deployment will be gradual and subject to robust regulation. Automated Passenger Services pilot permits require the consent of the relevant local licensing authority or franchising body and the Government will build the evidence base through small-scale deployments, while supporting innovation and economic growth.

The Government will continue to engage closely with industry and the workforce to manage the potential risks and maximise the opportunities created by new technologies.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration he has given to the location of an AI regulator with responsibility for scrutinising the most advanced AI systems.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The UK is committed to a context-based regulatory approach where most AI systems are regulated at the point of use by our existing regulators. Government departments are working with regulators to provide strategic direction and support them with their AI capability needs. This is complemented by the work of the AI Security Institute, which deepens our understanding of the critical security risks posed by frontier AI.

The Government keeps the adequacy of existing arrangements under review, including in relation to specific new risks related to cybersecurity and critical national infrastructure.

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Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress she has made on the implementation of the golden thread framework making the delivery of national sporting events such as Silverstone more streamlined and supported.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government recognises the value and impact of the UK’s leading events industry and has committed to publishing a new cross-sectoral events strategy by spring 2027. This strategy will cover events across the arts, culture, sport and business sectors and will support an events industry that tells our national story, drives economic growth, and projects the best of the UK to the world.

The Government is also proactively engaging and convening stakeholders from across sectors and the industry. I have hosted two roundtables with industry representatives this year, which provided valuable opportunities to hear directly from the industry. This engagement brought together departments across government including Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade; Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; Home Office; Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government; Skills England and Department for Health and Social Care.

To support the development of the strategy, DCMS facilitated a workshop in Sheffield in September which was attended by 60 stakeholders from across industry bodies; events delivery organisations; arm’s length bodies; youth voice; and regional representatives.

There is also regular ongoing engagement with industry through regional and operational working groups which convene stakeholders and government departments.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government which Arms Length Bodies have been shut down as a result of the ALB Review launched in April 2025.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Arm’s Length Bodies (ALB) review, launched in April 2025, is an ongoing, multi-phase programme designed to ensure public bodies provide value for money, eliminate duplication, and remain directly accountable to Ministers and Parliament.

Since the announcement of the review on 7 April 2025, the following bodies have been abolished or merged, with their essential functions either absorbed into other ALBs, repatriated to parent departments, or ceased where no longer required:

• Valuation Office Agency (HM Revenue and Customs) – Dissolved as a standalone executive agency in April 2025 (functions integrated into HMRC)

• Infrastructure and Projects Authority (Cabinet Office/HM Treasury) – Closed and replaced by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority, also incorporating the functions of the National Infrastructure Commission, in April 2025

• Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Department for Education) – Closed June 2025

• Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (Cabinet Office) – Closed October 2025

• Committee on Standards in Public Life (Cabinet Office) – Merged into the Ethics and Integrity Commission in October 2025

• Scientific Advisory Committee on the Medical Implications of Less-Lethal Weapons (Ministry of Defence) – Closed November 2025

• Building Digital UK (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) – Repatriated into the former DSIT in November 2025

• Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) – Reclassified as an expert committee in November 2025

• Committee on Fuel Poverty (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) – Reclassified as an expert committee in November 2025.

• Independent Medical Expert Group (Ministry of Defence) – Reclassified as Expert Committee in December 2025

• LocatED (Department for Education) – Repatriated into DfE in April 2026

• UK Space Agency (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) – Repatriated to the former DSIT in April 2026

• Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (Home Office) – Abolished, functions transferred to the Fair Work Agency in April 2026

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to reduce administration for employers seeking to access apprenticeship and skills funding.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

This government continues to cut red tape so that employers and apprenticeship training providers can focus even more of their time on delivering high-quality training for learners.

To support employers to use the apprenticeship service, we have introduced a supportive onboarding process which enables training providers to complete the initial account setup for an employer. We have enhanced the ability for employers to give their provider permission to undertake most of the administrative tasks on their behalf. As a result, we have seen significant reductions to the on-boarding time for new employers, supporting apprentices to begin their training more quickly.

We are also making significant changes to the apprenticeship payment system, by removing the need for providers to submit the same data into multiple systems and removing the need for employers to manually input data. Employers will be able to approve their apprentices’ data in a single step.

In addition, the department is working with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade to help SMEs navigate the skills system, providing SMEs with a single front door through which they can access information on the Growth and Skills Levy and SME support. We will also establish an SME forum to gather feedback and ensure these improvements continue to meet employers' needs.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what consideration she has given to the potential merits of making the adoption of validated alternatives to animal methods a binding requirement rather than a discretionary aid under Section 2A of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 already provides a binding statutory requirement to use a non-animal method where a scientifically satisfactory method or testing strategy that does not involve protected animals is reasonably and practicably available. Compliance with this requirement is considered as part of the assessment and authorisation of project licences. The Government therefore does not consider that alternatives are merely a discretionary aid, or that a further statutory mechanism is required to make their use mandatory.

Formal validation can support confidence in and regulatory acceptance of a non-animal method, but validation alone does not determine whether that method is scientifically satisfactory for every proposed use. That assessment must take account of the method’s relevance, reliability and practical availability for the particular scientific purpose.

The Government is committed to accelerating the development, validation and uptake of non-animal methods. Its November 2025 strategy, led by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and backed by £75 million, sets out measures to strengthen validation, regulatory confidence and adoption, while maintaining robust standards of scientific quality and human, animal and environmental protection

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has her Department made of the potential merits of introducing a statutory mechanism to ensure that validated non-animal models replace animal procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 already provides a binding statutory requirement to use a non-animal method where a scientifically satisfactory method or testing strategy that does not involve protected animals is reasonably and practicably available. Compliance with this requirement is considered as part of the assessment and authorisation of project licences. The Government therefore does not consider that alternatives are merely a discretionary aid, or that a further statutory mechanism is required to make their use mandatory.

Formal validation can support confidence in and regulatory acceptance of a non-animal method, but validation alone does not determine whether that method is scientifically satisfactory for every proposed use. That assessment must take account of the method’s relevance, reliability and practical availability for the particular scientific purpose.

The Government is committed to accelerating the development, validation and uptake of non-animal methods. Its November 2025 strategy, led by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and backed by £75 million, sets out measures to strengthen validation, regulatory confidence and adoption, while maintaining robust standards of scientific quality and human, animal and environmental protection

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential risk of interstate conflict and military escalation arising from competition for arable land, water and critical minerals, as set out in the national security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security.

Answered by Luke Pollard - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognises that competition for scarce resources poses a significant risk to regional and global stability. The MOD works closely with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, the Met Office, Defra, the UK Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre, and internal analysis teams to monitor and assess these risks.

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