Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the press release entitled US-UK pact will boost advances in drug discovery, create tens of thousands of jobs and transform lives, published on 16 September 2025, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that (a) families will get access to cleaner, more reliable energy, (b) British consumers will be more protected from international fossil fuel price hikes and (c) British workers will benefit from high-paying jobs unlocked by these projects.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
In September 2025, we announced the landmark UK-US Technology Prosperity Deal which will help turbocharge the Government’s nuclear and economic growth ambitions. This deal will cut the time it takes to build projects in both our countries, as well as opening the door to major new deals between UK and US companies.
Families and businesses across Britain continue to pay a heavy price for our exposure to fossil fuel markets controlled by dictators like Putin. Nuclear has a central role in taking back control of our energy so we can protect our country and bring down bills for good. That is why earlier this year the government announced the biggest expansion of nuclear in half a century - delivering historic public investment in Sizewell C, fusion energy, and the UK’s first small modular reactors, built by Rolls - Royce. This is the biggest investment in renewable energy, which is part of our Clean Energy Superpower mission, jobs, investment, growth for Britain, fighting for working people to deliver a better future.
The Technology Prosperity Deal will see greater opportunities through investment and rollout of AI infrastructure in both countries, creating jobs and driving growth. For example, the new AI Growth Zone in the North East will see billions of pounds worth of investment, skills training and jobs funnelled into the region. In addition, it will develop revolutionary quantum computers and speed up the deployment of this technology which will boost healthcare, protect citizens and create highly skilled jobs.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the mandatory digital ID system will be (a) developed and (b) operated by third parties.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government has announced plans for a new digital ID for all UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over. Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks using the new digital ID by the end of this parliament, but it will not be mandatory for other purposes.
We expect the programme to be designed, built and run by in-house Government teams, not outsourced to external suppliers. In the event any specialist external services or expertise are procured to support the delivery of the new digital ID system, this will be subject to all the usual competitive processes to ensure transparency, and value for the taxpayer.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what her planned timetable is for the Gov.uk OneLogin system to re-attain DVS trustmark accreditation.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
In April 2025, GOV.UK One Login’s Trust Framework certification was suspended due to a supply chain issue where one third party allowed their certification to lapse. We are working closely with the supplier and our Conformity Assessment Body to resolve this issue and regain certification as soon as possible.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the press release entitled US-UK pact will boost advances in drug discovery, create tens of thousands of jobs and transform lives, published on 16 September 2025, whether her Department has undertaken an impact assessment for the projected (a) water and (b) energy usage for the data centres announced.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Developers are responsible for undertaking environmental impact assessments for new data centres, including assessments of water and energy usage. As part of the criteria for hosting an AI Growth Zone (AIGZ), applicants must demonstrate access to sufficient water resources to support at least 500MW of AI infrastructure. This includes written confirmation from the relevant water supplier detailing volumes available, infrastructure requirements, and wastewater discharge plans.
DSIT are working closely with DESNZ to ensure AI energy demand aligns with future energy planning and ensure long-term sustainability.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department undertook an environmental impact assessment for the building of new data centres before the announcement of the Tech Prosperity Deal on 16 September 2025.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Developers are responsible for carrying out environmental impact assessments for new data centres. As part of our criteria for hosting major data centres, such as in AI Growth Zones (AIGZ), we set a minimum requirement of at least 500MW of energy capacity by 2030; 100 acres of developable land; and support from local planning authorities.
Applicants are also required to demonstrate positive local impact, including access to low-carbon energy sources, potential for regeneration, and alignment with local planning priorities.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information his Department hold on plans for data centres to be built in areas supplied by the new reservoir announced for (a) East Anglia and (b) Lincolnshire.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government does not routinely track individual plans for data centre developments. Water companies have no obligation to approve water for non-domestic uses, such as for data centres. Data centres may therefore be refused or restricted a supply connection if there are not sufficient water resources available. We encourage data centre developers to consider use of non-potable water, to embed water efficiency or water reuse in their design, and contact their proposed water and wastewater supplier early in the planning process to understand and plan for any potential water restrictions.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking with Openreach to deliver Full Fibre broadband to homes and businesses.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The government is committed to delivering 2030 nationwide gigabit connectivity coverage, with 86% of premises now able to access a gigabit-capable connection thanks to a pro-competition regulatory environment. As a result, there is now a thriving market of over 100 providers, including Openreach, investing over £40bn rolling out gigabit broadband all over the UK.
As part of Project Gigabit, we have announced six contracts with Openreach across the UK to provide access to a gigabit-capable broadband connection to premises that would not be connected through the commercial market.
Asked by: Clive Lewis (Labour - Norwich South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent progress his Department has made on Project Gigabit.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We continue to make good progress on the delivery of Project Gigabit. According to the independent website ThinkBroadband.com, over 86% of UK premises can now access a gigabit-capable broadband connection.
At the beginning of this year, we signed four additional Project Gigabit contracts with Openreach and last month, we announced the first Project Gigabit contract in Scotland. In total, more than £2 billion of contracts have now been signed to bring fast, reliable broadband to hard-to-reach premises across the UK.