First elected: 7th June 2001
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Make it a criminal offence for MPs to mislead the public
Gov Responded - 26 Jan 2021 Debated on - 23 Oct 2023 View Chris Bryant's petition debate contributionsA new offence should be created and legal sanctions should be introduced to stop MPs intentionally or recklessly misleading the public. This could restore a degree of trust in the UK's political system.
Make lying in the House of Commons a criminal offence
Gov Responded - 12 Aug 2021 Debated on - 23 Oct 2023 View Chris Bryant's petition debate contributionsThe Government should introduce legislation to make lying in the House of Commons a criminal offence. This would mean that all MPs, including Ministers, would face a serious penalty for knowingly making false statements in the House of Commons, as is the case in a court of law.
These initiatives were driven by Chris Bryant, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
To make provision about offences when perpetrated against emergency workers, and persons assisting such workers; to make certain offences aggravated when perpetrated against such workers in the exercise of their duty; to require persons suspected of certain assaults against such workers which may pose a health risk to provide intimate samples and to make it an offence, without reasonable excuse, to refuse to provide such samples; and for connected purposes.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 13th September 2018 and was enacted into law.
A Bill to make provision about meeting the needs of adults and children with an acquired brain injury; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to require the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament proposals for the seizure of Russian state assets to provide support for Ukraine; and for connected purposes.
The Bill failed to complete its passage through Parliament before the end of the session. This means the Bill will make no further progress. A Bill to require schools to provide sex and relationships education to registered pupils; and for connected purposes.
Sun Protection Products (Value Added Tax) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Amy Callaghan (SNP)
Same Sex Marriage (Church of England) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Ben Bradshaw (Lab)
Automated External Defibrillators (Housing Developments) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Stephen Metcalfe (Con)
Supply of Drugs to Children Under 16 (Aggravated Offence) Bill 2022-23
Sponsor - Kevin Hollinrake (Con)
Tibet (Reciprocal Access) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tim Loughton (Con)
High Performance Vehicle Renting (Regulation) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Holly Lynch (Lab)
Food Labelling (Environmental Sustainability) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Chris Grayling (Con)
Dogs and Domestic Animals (Accommodation and Protection) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Andrew Rosindell (Con)
Apologies Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - John Howell (Con)
Equal Pay (Information and Claims) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Stella Creasy (LAB)
European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019
Sponsor - Hilary Benn (Lab)
Emergency Response Drivers (Protections) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Lord Bellingham (Con)
Crime (Impact Statements) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Melanie Onn (Lab)
National Living Wage (Extension to Young People) Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Holly Lynch (Lab)
Business of the House Commission Bill 2017-19
Sponsor - Peter Bone (Ind)
Diplomatic Service (United Kingdom Wines and Sparkling Wines) Bill 2016-17
Sponsor - None ()
Since May 2010, the Government has published on gov.uk details of official government meetings with external organisations.
In 2011, this was extended to include details of meetings with senior media executives, covering official government, social and political meetings.
But otherwise, the Government does not record political meetings.
I would observe that since 2016, the Labour Party has stopped publishing its own meeting data on shadow frontbench meetings with senior media executives, breaking a commitment made by the then Labour Party leader (the Rt Hon Member for Doncaster North) during the Leveson Inquiry. The Hon. Member may recall how previous data illustrated his engagement with Evgeny Lebedev (now Lord Lebedev). As a shadow DCMS spokesman, the Hon. Member may wish to raise this subsequent shyness with his Opposition colleagues.
As set out in the Ministerial Code, official overseas travel by a Parliamentary Private Secretary would be exceptional. There have been no approvals by 10 Downing Street for such Parliamentary Private Secretary travel under this Administration.
Official overseas travel is permitted for trade envoys in line with their responsibilities. In that respect, I refer the hon. Member to the answer to him of 29 June 2023, PQ 190260.
This answer also serves as a reply to the hon. Member to his recent question to the Prime Minister at the Liaison Committee.
I refer the hon. Member to the letter from the Immigration Minister (my right hon. Friend, the Member for Newark) of 25 April, which serves as a substantive reply to the points the hon. Member raised in his letters of 18 April.
Regretfully, due to an administrative error, the reply was not clearer that the letter was being sent in response to both his letters.
A copy of that reply is in the Library (Deposited paper DEP2023-0421).
The Cabinet Office replied to the hon. member’s letter of 10 August 2022 regarding transparency data on 27 September 2022.
Section 8.14 of the Ministerial Code clarifies the scope of ministerial meetings for quarterly transparency returns. Detailed guidance provided to government departments is also available online.
Since the first List of Ministers’ Interests was published in 2009, the timing of publication has varied. The next list of Ministers’ interests will be published in due course, following the appointment of a new Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests.
I can assure the Hon Member that all colleagues across government recognise the importance of coordinating support for people with acquired brain injury, as I highlighted to him in our meeting of 1 July. The Hon Member is a powerful champion of this significant cause on which government is determined to make progress.
In line with the practice of successive governments, I am not able to disclose details of internal discussions, but I will update the Hon Member on the government’s work on this issue in due course.
The UK Tradeshow Programme in the financial year 2022-23 awarded 93 grants, seven of those grants were for businesses in the fashion industry.
The Tradeshow Access Programme in the financial year 2019-20 awarded 2531 grants, approximately 442 of those grants were for businesses in the fashion industry.
No further information is held to distinguish between businesses in the fashion or fashion retail sector.
Trade Envoys are a valuable resource and support Ministers in progressing our trade and investment agenda in 66 markets across the world. A total of £264,192 was spent in the last year (June 2022 – June 2023). These costs represent the cost of flights and some hotel and other sundry expenses when the official British residence was unavailable or inappropriate. It would not be in the national interest to publish individual breakdowns, given it could create misconceptions that certain countries were favoured or prioritised over others, undermining the UK’s international relations and diplomacy.
The Emergency Services are operationally independent and have responsibility for the operation of emergency service control rooms that process emergency calls, as overseen by local Chief Officer and relevant Lead Government Departments, including Departments in the Devolved Administrations as applicable.
The digital transition is industry led and the emergency services are being supported by their respective communications providers. DSIT is working closely with the lead government departments for the emergency services to provide advice on areas of risk which has prompted actions from the emergency services to increase resilience measures.
DSIT does not hold any data on the number of silent calls received by the emergency services.
The Emergency Services are operationally independent and have responsibility for the operation of emergency service control rooms that process emergency calls, as overseen by local Chief Officer and relevant Lead Government Departments, including Departments in the Devolved Administrations as applicable.
The digital transition is industry led and the emergency services are being supported by their respective communications providers. DSIT is working closely with the lead government departments for the emergency services to provide advice on areas of risk which has prompted actions from the emergency services to increase resilience measures.
DSIT does not hold any data on the number of silent calls received by the emergency services.
The Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 require developers of new build homes, including multi-dwelling units (MDUs), in England to install the gigabit-ready physical infrastructure necessary for gigabit-capable connections. Additionally, and subject to a £2,000 cost cap per premises, developers need to install a gigabit-capable connection. Where a developer is unable to secure a gigabit-capable connection within the cost cap, a next-best technology connection that is available within the same cost cap must be installed. This means first a superfast connection, and if this is not possible, at minimum a broadband connection.
The requirements do not apply to properties undergoing a material change of use, such as converted properties, which may form some of the MDU housing stock. This issue was considered during the Technical Consultation which ran from 21 December 2012 to 28 February 2022. However, there was a lack of evidence from the consultation responses to suggest that these types of properties should be in scope of the regulations. We do not have an up-to-date assessment of how many MDUs this currently applies to.
There are approximately 6.5m Multi-dwelling units (MDUs) in the UK, of which an estimated 75% have access to a gigabit-capable connection. Of those that remain to be connected, this may be for a variety of reasons, including commercial viability, whether they are eligible for public subsidy or because they are subject to the commercial build plans of network operators, which includes ongoing negotiations with landlords of such properties.
The Land Registry holds details of property interests in Land and Buildings in England and Wales, while the Land Register of Scotland, and the Land Registry of Northern Ireland, collect information related to Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. While we recognise that not all land in the United Kingdom is registered, the Department expects operators to refer to these sources to ascertain the identity of the owner of a property.
There are approximately 6.5m Multi-dwelling units (MDUs) in the UK, of which an estimated 75% have access to a gigabit-capable connection. Of those that remain to be connected, this may be for a variety of reasons, including commercial viability, whether they are eligible for public subsidy or because they are subject to the commercial build plans of network operators, which includes ongoing negotiations with landlords of such properties.
The Land Registry holds details of property interests in Land and Buildings in England and Wales, while the Land Register of Scotland, and the Land Registry of Northern Ireland, collect information related to Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. While we recognise that not all land in the United Kingdom is registered, the Department expects operators to refer to these sources to ascertain the identity of the owner of a property.
The Government will shortly be trialling a more flexible permitting system, which would grant permission to work in multiple streets - as opposed to the current system which requires statutory undertakers to submit a separate permit for every street they work in. This would allow companies carrying out works to move from street to street quickly.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is working with the Department for Transport to trial this concept across England. DSIT have appointed an independent contractor to design, oversee and evaluate the trials, which we expect to commence in the second quarter of 2024.
Once trials have concluded, Ministers will consider the results of the evaluation, and decide whether a flexible permitting scheme should be introduced.
It is the Government’s utmost priority that vulnerable people and telecare users are protected throughout the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) migration. In December 2023, the UK’s major Communication Providers agreed to sign a PSTN Charter, committing to improve protections for vulnerable customers. The Charter can be found here:
As set out in the PSTN Charter, Communication Providers have agreed to conduct additional checks on customers who have already been forcibly migrated. This is with a view to ensuring that the customers do not have telecare devices that providers were unaware of, and if they do, to ensure that the correct support is provided to them.
The Government will be monitoring the Communication Providers’ adherence to the Charter through bilateral meetings and through asking the companies for written updates on their approach to the migration.
DSIT is engaging with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to ensure robust measures are in place to mitigate any risks arising from the Public Switched Telephone (PSTN) switchover in the energy sector. The details regarding contingency plans and consumer prioritisation in the energy sector falls within DESNZ’s remit.
DSIT works closely on a range of resilience issues in partnership with industry, through the Electronic Communications Resilience & Response Group (EC-RRG), who engage in regular dialogue with the Energy Networks Association across a range of issues to help strengthen resilience between the telecoms and energy sectors.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) also recently consulted on proposals to establish a multi-sector Priority Services Register to enable better data sharing between providers of gas, water, electricity, and telecoms providers, and allow consumers to be registered as vulnerable across sectors. The consultation closed in January 2024, with a response expected in due course.
The Department is in discussions with stakeholders across Government and industry to arrive at a standard definition of vulnerability specific to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) migration. This will help identify customers that may be vulnerable during the migration, whether through health or personal circumstances, so that they can be better protected.
While agreeing a definition is a priority, it is critical that the final definition is robust and properly tested. The Department is working at pace to do so and will publish a definition as soon as possible.
The Department is in discussions with stakeholders across Government and industry to arrive at a standard definition of vulnerability specific to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) migration. This will help identify customers that may be vulnerable during the migration, whether through health or personal circumstances, so that they can be better protected.
While agreeing a definition is a priority, it is critical that the final definition is robust and properly tested. The Department is working at pace to do so and will publish a definition as soon as possible.
According to data from the Telecare Services Association (TSA) and Farrpoint, a digital consultancy, there are between 1.7 and 2 million telecare users in the UK; given that devices are readily available to purchase privately, we cannot provide an exact figure. Of these, the TSA estimates that c.500,000 devices are compatible with digital phone lines.
However, some analogue telecare devices may also work on digital networks. DSIT has been working with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the telecare industry to raise awareness of the migration and to encourage the testing of analogue devices on digital phone lines. BT and other providers have also set up test labs for telecare suppliers or telecare service providers to test their equipment.
DSIT is coordinating the cross-government response to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switchover. Government is taking the risks associated with this switchover very seriously and our primary objective is to ensure vulnerable people are protected throughout this necessary transition. DSIT is engaging closely with counterparts in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the Local Government Association (LGA). DSIT is a member of the LGA’s working group which focuses on the switchover. DSIT will be submitting specific guidance to Local Authorities on matters related to the migration and is working to assess the impact that the PSTN switchover may have on Local Authorities.
BT Group announced its plans to switch off the PSTN in 2017, and many affected organisations, including some Local Authorities, have taken the opportunity to prepare for the transition since then. Upgrading devices to digitally compatible products will ensure they are compatible with a superior and more secure underlying infrastructure, future-proofing them for years ahead.
DSIT is coordinating the cross-government response to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switchover. Government is taking the risks associated with this switchover very seriously and our primary objective is to ensure vulnerable people are protected throughout this necessary transition. DSIT is engaging closely with counterparts in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the Local Government Association (LGA). DSIT is a member of the LGA’s working group which focuses on the switchover. DSIT will be submitting specific guidance to Local Authorities on matters related to the migration and is working to assess the impact that the PSTN switchover may have on Local Authorities.
BT Group announced its plans to switch off the PSTN in 2017, and many affected organisations, including some Local Authorities, have taken the opportunity to prepare for the transition since then. Upgrading devices to digitally compatible products will ensure they are compatible with a superior and more secure underlying infrastructure, future-proofing them for years ahead.
The working group on copyright and AI met under terms of reference available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-governments-code-of-practice-on-copyright-and-ai. This information for 2023 has previously been disclosed pursuant to a Freedom of Information request, and is set out in the following table:
Date of meeting | Attendees, by organisation |
05/06/2023 (AI firms and research sector only) | The Entrepreneurs Network; IP Federation; Stability AI; Knowledge Rights 21; Google DeepMind; Tech UK; British Library; UK Research and Innovation (UKRI); Microsoft; Synthesia IPO; Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS); Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) |
06/06/2023 (right holders only) | RELX; Professional Publishers Association; British Association of Picture Library Agencies (BAPLA); News Media Association; Alliance for IP; UK Music; NLA Media Access; Association of Photographers; Financial Times; Copyright Licensing Agency; British Phonographic Industry (BPI); Equity; Publishers Association; Creators’ Rights Alliance; Music Publishers Association; British Screen Forum; Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS); Copyright Clearance Center; British Copyright Council; British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC); Premier League IPO; DCMS; CMA |
13/06/2023 | RELX; Professional Publishers Association; The Entrepreneurs Network; IP Federation; Stability AI; Knowledge Rights 21; News Media Association; Alliance for IP; Council of Music Makers; UK Music; NLA Media Access; Association of Photographers; Copyright Licensing Agency; Financial Times; BAPLA; Google DeepMind; Tech UK; Equity; vAIsual; British Library; Creators’ Rights Alliance; Music Publishers Association; UKRI; British Screen Forum; DACS; Copyright Clearance Center; British Copyright Council; Microsoft; BPI; Innovate UK; BBC IPO; DCMS; Office for AI (OAI); CMA |
30/06/2023 | Professional Publishers Association; BAPLA; Knowledge Rights 21; Publishers Association; News Media Association; Alliance for IP; The Entrepreneurs Network; UK Music; NLA Media Access; Association of Photographers; Copyright Licensing Agency; Financial Times; Startup Coalition; Equity; vAIsual; British Library; Creators’ Rights Alliance; Music Publishers Association; UKRI; British Screen Forum; DACS; Copyright Clearance Center; British Copyright Council; Microsoft; BPI; Tech UK; Innovate UK; BBC; RELX; Council of Music Makers IPO; DCMS; OAI |
13/09/2023 (right holders only) | Professional Publishers Association; British Film Institute (BFI); Association of Photographers; Copyright Licensing Agency; Condé Nast; Guardian Media Group; Publishers Association; BPI; Equity IPO |
22/09/2023 | Association of Photographers; Getty Images; BBC; vAIsual; Microsoft; Music Publishers Association; Startup Coalition; British Copyright Council; Stability AI IPO |
26/09/2023 | RELX; Copyright Clearance Center; Copyright Licensing Agency; Alliance for IP; vAIsual; The Entrepreneurs Network; British Copyright Council; IP Federation; Synthesia; Publishers Association; WB Discovery; Council of Music Makers; Financial Times; Guardian Media Group; Startup Coalition |
29/09/2023 | Alliance for IP; British Copyright Council; Creators’ Rights Alliance; Equity; Stability AI; DACS; Microsoft; Innovate UK; BFI; British Screen Forum; Reading University; UK Music; Professional Publishers Association IPO |
04/10/2023 | Creators’ Rights Alliance; Equity; UK Music; Professional Publishers Association; Tech UK; News Media Association; Association of Photographers; Getty Images; The Entrepreneurs Network; BPI IPO |
05/10/2023 (AI firms only) | The Entrepreneurs Network; Startup Coalition; Microsoft; Stability AI; vAIsual IPO |
06/10/2023 | British Library; UKRI; BFI; Tech UK; Alliance for IP; Professional Publishers Association; RELX; Copyright Clearance Center; Turing Institute; Knowledge Rights 21 IPO |
12/10/2023 | Professional Publishers Association; BAPLA; The Entrepreneurs Network; Knowledge Rights 21; Publishers Association; News Media Association; Alliance for IP; Council of Music Makers; UK Music; NLA Media Access; Association of Photographers; Copyright Licensing Agency; Financial Times; BPI; Startup Coalition; Equity; vAIsual; Guardian Media Group; Creators’ Rights Alliance; Music Publishers Association; UKRI; British Screen Forum; BFI; Copyright Clearance Center; British Copyright Council; IP Federation; Microsoft; Innovate UK; BBC IPO; DCMS; OAI; Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; CMA |
The group did not meet in 2024.
The working group on copyright and AI met under terms of reference available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-governments-code-of-practice-on-copyright-and-ai.
In 2023, the working group met as follows:
Selected members of the working group were also invited in 2023 to discuss themes arising from previous discussions and according to areas of their interest, as follows:
The group did not meet in 2024.
The working group on copyright and AI met under terms of reference available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-governments-code-of-practice-on-copyright-and-ai. The group did not meet in 2024.
In the interests of enabling candid discussion of the issues, the terms of reference state that summary notes will not be published. In the interests of commercial confidentiality and as the consideration of these policy issues is still ongoing, I do not consider it appropriate to publish notes of these meetings at this time.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) regularly engages with telecoms operators to discuss a range of security and risk related issues, including the security of shared network infrastructure, and to ensure the security of telecoms network infrastructure. Officials and ministers meet regularly with individual companies (including Openreach), industry bodies and the industry-led Electronic Communications Resilience and Response Group (EC-RRG).
Communication Providers have statutory obligations set out in section 105A-Z of the Communications Act 2003 to take appropriate and proportionate measures to identify, prepare for and reduce the risk of security compromise. This includes anything that compromises the availability, performance or functionality of the network or service.
Openreach has commercial contracts with broadband contractors who access its ducts and poles. The Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator (OTA) works with Openreach and Communication Providers to support mediated resolution of working-level implementation issues relating to these contracts. If there are concerns that statutory obligations are being breached, then these should be raised with Ofcom. Ofcom’s Openreach Monitoring Unit ensures that the company meets expectations in how it deals with both its customers and its competitors.
The Government has been clear that ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age is a key priority and continues to take steps to offer the support needed.
Digital inclusion is a cross-cutting issue that spans social engagement, education, employment, access to services and many more elements of everyday life. Responsibility for relevant policies, activities and budgets sit across government. For example, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is exploring options for funding research to improve the Government’s evidence base on digital exclusion.
The Government established a cross-Whitehall ministerial group in response to a recommendation from the House of Lords Communication and Digital Committee’s report on ‘Digital Exclusion’. The ministerial group aims to drive progress and accountability on digital inclusion priorities across Government.
The most recent ministerial group meeting took place in March 2024, chaired by the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy. The Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Cabinet Office, Department for Work and Pensions, and His Majesty's Treasury were also in attendance.
The Government has been clear that ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age is a key priority and continues to take steps to offer the support needed.
Digital inclusion is a cross-cutting issue that spans social engagement, education, employment, access to services and many more elements of everyday life. Responsibility for relevant policies, activities and budgets sit across government. For example, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is exploring options for funding research to improve the Government’s evidence base on digital exclusion.
The Government established a cross-Whitehall ministerial group in response to a recommendation from the House of Lords Communication and Digital Committee’s report on ‘Digital Exclusion’. The ministerial group aims to drive progress and accountability on digital inclusion priorities across Government.
The most recent ministerial group meeting took place in March 2024, chaired by the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy. The Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Cabinet Office, Department for Work and Pensions, and His Majesty's Treasury were also in attendance.
Openreach has commercial contracts with broadband contractors who access its ducts and poles. These contracts include detailed requirements on how Openreach should be notified of where and when companies will be building fibre. It is ultimately a commercial decision for Openreach to decide how it enforces these contracts.
DSIT has engaged with Ofcom, Openreach, and the Office of the Telecommunications Adjudicator (OTA) to understand the implications of whereabouts compliance for telecoms network resilience. Improving compliance may help to attribute the cause of accidental damage to fibre infrastructure but would not completely prevent accidental damage or stop those intending to cause malicious damage.
DSIT has been informed by Openreach and the OTA that they have worked with communication providers to agree a new approach to improving whereabouts compliance. DSIT is content that no further action is required at this time but will continue to work with Ofcom to monitor the situation in case risks to security and resilience arise in future.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is responsible for coordinating HMG digital inclusion policy as part of its commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
Digital inclusion is a cross-cutting issue that spans social engagement, education, employment, access to services and many more elements of everyday life. Responsibility for relevant policies, activities and budgets sit across government. For example, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is exploring options for funding research to improve the Government’s evidence base on digital exclusion.
We have and will continue to work with key stakeholders across Government on digital exclusion issues. Each department leads and owns relationships with stakeholders in their policy areas.
The Government established a cross-Whitehall ministerial group in response to a recommendation from the House of Lords Communication and Digital Committee’s report on ‘Digital Exclusion’. The ministerial group aims to drive progress and accountability on digital inclusion priorities across Government, setting clear objectives, monitoring delivery, and engaging with relevant sector experts to seek input and advice.
The first ministerial group meeting took place in September 2023, chaired by the then Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, Paul Scully. Ministers attended from the Cabinet Office, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Education, and His Majesty's Treasury. We expect these departments to make up the core membership of the group, which will meet again in March 2024.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is responsible for coordinating HMG digital inclusion policy as part of its commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
Digital inclusion is a cross-cutting issue that spans social engagement, education, employment, access to services and many more elements of everyday life. Responsibility for relevant policies, activities and budgets sit across government. For example, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is exploring options for funding research to improve the Government’s evidence base on digital exclusion.
We have and will continue to work with key stakeholders across Government on digital exclusion issues. Each department leads and owns relationships with stakeholders in their policy areas.
The Government established a cross-Whitehall ministerial group in response to a recommendation from the House of Lords Communication and Digital Committee’s report on ‘Digital Exclusion’. The ministerial group aims to drive progress and accountability on digital inclusion priorities across Government, setting clear objectives, monitoring delivery, and engaging with relevant sector experts to seek input and advice.
The first ministerial group meeting took place in September 2023, chaired by the then Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, Paul Scully. Ministers attended from the Cabinet Office, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Education, and His Majesty's Treasury. We expect these departments to make up the core membership of the group, which will meet again in March 2024.
We are aiming to implement all remaining provisions of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 by the end of 2024.
These provisions are complex, and it is important we ensure they are commenced in a manner that effectively delivers the changes legislated for by Parliament in the Act.
DSIT officials will continue to keep stakeholders informed of progress, including more detailed information on likely timelines when appropriate.
Openreach has commercial contracts with broadband contractors who access its ducts and poles. These contracts include detailed requirements on how Openreach should be notified of where and when companies will be building fibre. It is ultimately a commercial decision for Openreach to decide how it enforces these contracts, and we understand it already has an active non-compliance process in place.
If there are concerns that competition issues might arise from the enforcement of these commercial contracts, these should be raised with Ofcom. Ofcom’s Openreach Monitoring Unit ensures that the company meets expectations in how it deals with both its customers and its competitors.
DSIT engages with Ofcom and Openreach on a regular basis and no concerns have been raised to date regarding the use of Openreach ducts by other companies and contractors. DSIT will continue to monitor potential risks to the cyber, physical and personnel security of telecoms infrastructure and assess the need for intervention, based on advice from NCSC and NPSA.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) works with Ofcom, UK technical authorities (the National Cyber Security Centre and the National Protective Security Authority) and industry to identify risks and ensure the security of telecoms network infrastructure.
Through the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 and working with the National Cyber Security Centre and Ofcom, we have one of the toughest telecoms cyber security regimes in the world with the Electronic Communications (Security Measures) Regulations 2022 and Code of Practice. These place stringent obligations on providers of public telecoms networks to protect those networks against security threats. The Act also created new national security powers to manage and control the use of high-risk vendors in the UK’s telecoms network.
DSIT also works with the National Protective Security Agency (NPSA) in developing telecoms security policies. The NPSA advises government and industry on the physical security of infrastructure, including its installation.
DSIT will continue to develop policies to address significant risks to the cyber, physical and personnel security of telecoms infrastructure where necessary, based on advice from the NPSA and NCSC.
The change to digital landlines will affect many sectors of the economy. Generally, we cannot definitively comment on the number or proportion of any services and devices that rely on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). They are procured from various manufacturers and function differently depending on their make. Many services and devices are also purchased privately by individuals or businesses who have no obligation to supply us with this information.
Having said that, we know that an estimated 1.8 million people in the UK currently use telecare services. Of these, roughly 1.3 million use alarms in their own homes and 0.5 million in a range of care homes, supported housing and sheltered living arrangements. There are multiple different telecare manufacturers; the make-up of their devices, including their connectivity solution, depends on the provider.
We understand that National Highways do not have any motorway signs that depend on the PSTN, as they own and operate their own switched network. With regards to railway signals, Network Rail has a migration programme for its estate but does not use PSTN telephony for its signals.
DSIT convenes the relevant government departments, agencies and stakeholders to a Cross Whitehall meeting on a quarterly basis to encourage all parties to consider the potential impacts of the PSTN migration on their respective sectors.
The change to digital landlines will affect many sectors of the economy. Generally, we cannot definitively comment on the number or proportion of any services and devices that rely on the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). They are procured from various manufacturers and function differently depending on their make. Many services and devices are also purchased privately by individuals or businesses who have no obligation to supply us with this information.
Having said that, we know that an estimated 1.8 million people in the UK currently use telecare services. Of these, roughly 1.3 million use alarms in their own homes and 0.5 million in a range of care homes, supported housing and sheltered living arrangements. There are multiple different telecare manufacturers; the make-up of their devices, including their connectivity solution, depends on the provider.
We understand that National Highways do not have any motorway signs that depend on the PSTN, as they own and operate their own switched network. With regards to railway signals, Network Rail has a migration programme for its estate but does not use PSTN telephony for its signals.
DSIT convenes the relevant government departments, agencies and stakeholders to a Cross Whitehall meeting on a quarterly basis to encourage all parties to consider the potential impacts of the PSTN migration on their respective sectors.
Coverage methodologies and metrics vary across countries, so it is difficult to make like for like comparisons.
For ease of comparison, we have used premises coverage for 4G, which is available outside 99.9% of UK premises. However, the Shared Rural Network programme will help extend coverage to 95% of the UK landmass. According to the most recent data from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the UK compares favourably with population coverage across Europe, and slightly ahead of comparator countries including France at 99%, Spain at 99.6% and Germany at 99.8%.
Basic, non-standalone 5G is available outside 85% of UK premises. According to data from the EU Observatory, the UK’s 5G rollout progress is above the EU average which stands at 81% population coverage. However, the UK falls slightly behind the average of comparator countries' non-standalone 5G progress with Italy at 99%, Germany at 93% and France at 88%.
The Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, published earlier this year, announced the Government’s vision for wireless connectivity and shared a new ambition for nationwide coverage of higher quality, standalone 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
Up to £5 billion of funding is available through Project Gigabit, which was launched in 2021 to roll out gigabit-capable broadband to premises across the UK that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. The programme is scheduled to run until 2030.
We have already made over £2 billion of funding available to suppliers through our live procurements and contracts. In addition, the Government is providing up to £210 million through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme.
The UK’s nine Catapults fuel economic growth in the UK by enabling innovative businesses to turn great ideas into reality. Between April 2018 and March 2023 the Catapults received the financial support set out below from UKRI. These figures are based on committed spend and include core grant funding and additional, competitive funding won by Catapults from UKRI in collaboration with businesses. They exclude spend from other Government departments and Arms Length Bodies.
Financial Year | Spend |
2018/2019 2019/2020 | £310m £317m |
2020/2021 | £348m |
2021/2022 | £346m |
2022/2023 | £367m |
The Department's transparency returns for Ministers' gifts, hospitality, meetings and travel for February to March and July to September will be published shortly. The return for April to June was published on 21st November 2023 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dsit-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-meetings-april-to-june-2023
The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), on behalf of UK Research Innovation (UKRI), has committed to delivering at least £50m of funding for Creative Industries Clusters as signalled in the Creative Sector Vision. The first wave of the programme supported clusters in the South West, Yorkshire, and the South East in England, two clusters in Scotland, one in south Wales and one in Northern Ireland. AHRC is committed to ensuring that this second wave of funding for Clusters reaches new sub-sectors and new geographies across the UK. Further details will be published in this financial year.
The Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as Data Controller for BEIS is only responsible Subject Access Requests (SARs) processed by the department.
100% of SARs processed by BEIS for 2022 have met the statutory deadline set down in UK data protection legislation.
The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has received 17,459 Subject Access Requests (SARs) in the last 5 years (01 January 2017 to 31 July 2022 inclusive).
All SARs were responded to within the statutory deadline set down in UK data protection legislation.
The Department’s hybrid working policy states that all staff can only work up to a maximum of 60% of their time at home over a 4 week period, on the condition that business needs are prioritised. On average, most staff work at least 2 days a week, each week in an office. Last week between 3 -7 October, 16% of staff were working at home or on annual or other sorts of leave.
Artist’s Resale Right is administered by the Design and Artists Copyright Society (DACS) and the Artists’ Collecting Society (ACS). Since the right was introduced in 2006, DACS reported in 2019 to paying out royalties to 5,424 artists and artists’ estates and ACS reported in 2020 to paying out royalties to 780 artists and artists’ estates.
When an energy supplier fails the customers are transferred by Ofgem to a new supplier under the Supplier of Last Resort process. This includes the personal data necessary to set up an account with the new supplier and ensure the customer’s credit balance with the failed supplier is honoured.
Insolvency practitioners are appointed to administer the failed company and must comply with the requirements of the Data Protection Act in relation to any personal data that remains within the failed company. Customers rights regarding data protection and access to personal data remain unaffected.
There are 2144 coal tips in Wales, with continued refinement of information ongoing.
There is no central assessment of the number of Tips in England but the Coal Authority own 7 tips in England and these are kept under regular monitoring.