Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the cyber security industry in Manchester Rusholme on economic growth in the North West; and whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to update the Computer Misuse Act 1990.
Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government’s new Industrial Strategy highlights cyber security as a strategically important sector and one with potential for high growth. The annual UK Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis shows the sector is worth £13.2 billion, up 12% on the previous year, having grown significantly each year since the analysis began.
Greater Manchester is recognised in the Industrial Strategy as a key centre of innovation and technology, with our analysis showing 8% of UK cyber companies and 10% of the country’s cyber workforce are based in the North West. Last year the North West attracted £101.5m in private equity cyber security investment, accounting for 49% of the UK total, the most for any region or devolved administration in the UK. The region is home to the Digital Information Security Hub (DiSH) and The University of Manchester is also recognised as an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research, highlighting Manchester’s importance in the cyber security industry.
The Home Office is reviewing the Computer Misuse Act, and will update on proposals taken forward in due course.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will visit the new Robotics Living Lab at the Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, to make an assessment of its contribution to sustainable approaches for fashion manufacturing.
Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government recognises the importance of the Robotics Living Lab (RoLL) at Manchester Fashion Institute for its key role in helping modernise the fashion industry. Officials have visited the Lab and recognise how, by combining robotics and digital technologies, RoLL supports small businesses and contributes to the UK’s wider goals of achieving low-carbon, high-value manufacturing.
The Ministerial team's plans for engagement, including regional and local visits, are revisited regularly.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will visit the new Robotics Living Lab at the Manchester Fashion Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, to make an assessment of the potential merits of this example of investment by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council CReSca World Class Lab funding for innovative technology for sustainable fashion manufacturing.
Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Robotics Living Lab was awarded £3.8 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) through its World Class Labs programme. This represents an outstanding example of how public funding for university-driven and interdisciplinary research can attract private investment, and the government is delighted that it is now leading the future of textiles and fashion.
As part of the Industrial Strategy, the government recently published the Creative Industries Sector Plan to cement the UK’s position as a global creative powerhouse by 2035. A £100 million UKRI investment over the Spending Review will support the ambitious next wave of R&D creative clusters throughout the UK.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she plans to take to promote the UK fashion sector through the Creative Industries Growth strategy.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Through the Creative Industries Sector Plan, we are backing the UK fashion sector as a key part of our world-leading creative industries. This includes targeted support for emerging designers with a specific funding commitment to the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN programme - helping talent showcase at London Fashion Week and access business mentoring.
The Sector Plan also recognises the important role that fashion plays in the connected ecosystem of the Creative Industries. It sets out support through wider cross-cutting measures, including increased access to equity and debt finance via the British Business Bank, a £50 million expansion of the Creative Industries Clusters programme, and a new R&D strategy due in 2025. We're addressing skills gaps with new training flexibilities, enhanced specialist education provision, and the launch of a new Creative Sector Skills Forum. And a refreshed creative careers service, backed by £9 million, will also help young people access careers in the creative industries, including the fashion sector.
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether it is her policy that her Department's planned affordable housing will meet the (a) best practice guidance from the revised Decent Homes Standard and (b) best practice guidance on furniture provision.
Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
On 2 July, the government opened a consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for the social and private rented sectors. It seeks views on a range of issues including whether landlords should provide suitable floor coverings in all rooms at the start of every tenancy. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here.