Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the environmental, economic and practical benefits of mechanochemistry, and what financial support they are providing for research and commercial development in that area.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
UK Research and Innovation, via the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), funds a diverse portfolio of pioneering research projects that explore the frontiers of chemistry which underpin sustainable and innovative chemical processes. This includes exploring new methodologies such as mechanochemistry.
Current live projects, totalling £1.7 million, that include a substantive mechanochemistry method development include:
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding of the report Computer Says No by the New Britain Project that Britons spend 1.52 billion hours a year dealing with personal administration; and what impact this issue has on overall productivity.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is aware of the claim made in Computer Says No by the New Britain Project that Britons lose 1.52 billion hours annually to personal administration. This figure is derived by extrapolating an average minutes per week per adult across the UK adult population.
The Government recognises the importance of reducing the 'time tax' on individuals. As outlined in A blueprint for modern digital government (CP 1252, January 2025), the Government is developing a new methodology to measure this burden and is committed to reducing it as part of its digital reform programme, to support productivity and improve service delivery.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the article in Nature titled "Why an overreliance on AI-driven modelling is bad for science"; and what steps they are taking, if any, to ensure that research funding and government assessment of research takes account of the risks identified by this article.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government recognises that AI is having a transformative impact on science, and the UK is positioned to be a world leader in this emerging field.
This will also present novel risks. The UK Metascience Unit is investing £4m to explore AI’s impact on research and improve our understanding of these risks. Insights from this will be used to inform the government’s R&D policy.
We are dedicated to maintaining research integrity amid AI adoption. The UK Committee on Research Integrity (UKCORI) is examining the intersection of AI and research integrity, with recommendations expected this year. Investments in Responsible AI UK and skills training are driving more responsible AI use in science.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impacts of life recorders, particularly in regard to privacy and security, and what plans they have to take legal, regulatory or other action in response.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
All UK organisations processing personal data must comply with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018. This applies to all technologies, including AI-based life recorders. The UK GDPR and the DPA, are risk-based and technology neutral, ensuring organisations process data lawfully, fairly, and transparently. On data security, the UK has strong safeguards, regulatory oversight, and enforcement to ensure responsible data handling. We continuously assess evolving threats to UK data and will take further action if necessary to protect national security.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to place restrictions on the allocation of public funds to research intended to develop mirror life.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Engineering Biology is a critical technology for the UK. This Government is committed to capitalising on growing opportunities as well as ensuring that innovation is responsible and secure. DSIT works with academics, businesses and funders, including through the Engineering Biology Responsible Innovation Advisory Panel, to assess the opportunities and risks around novel engineering biology capabilities. DSIT will continue to work with these stakeholders, including UKRI, to capitalise on opportunities and appropriately manage risk.
Asked by: Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government how much public bodies have spent on research intended to develop mirror life.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
UKRI is the main public funder of research and innovation. It has not funded research directly intending to develop mirror life. However, HMG recognises the importance of funding blue skies research including on stereoisomers