Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made an assessment of the timeline for autonomous systems to replicate the payload and operational capabilities of the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), with input from the scientific community, is prioritising a strategic transition to more sustainable, modern and flexible infrastructures. While there are some aspects of atmospheric science that can only be done with an aircraft, the future direction increasingly favours distributed observing systems, land-based capability, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), and advanced sensor technologies. These technologies offer lower emissions, greater responsiveness and improved cost‑effectiveness through scalability.
NERC has already begun investing in these areas, including a Net Zero Aerial Capability scoping programme (in collaboration with Innovate UK) on UAV development, as well as committing additional investment to NCAS’ Atmospheric Measuring and Observation Facility (AMOF) equipment pools. NERC will also invest £1 million in Financial Year 2026/27 to further explore autonomous capabilities, with the intention of scaling successful approaches.
Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
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 impact of the closure of the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements on the specialist skills base in atmospheric science in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
While the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) recognise that the retirement of the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) is a significant decision for the atmospheric science community, this is not reflective of any decrease in the value of atmospheric science, and reflects a strategic shift to sustain UK leadership in this domain within a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The Government remains committed to maintaining world class capabilities in environmental science and ensuring that public investment is most effectively directed where it delivers the greatest long-term impact. UKRI is engaging closely with affected staff and institutions to manage the transition responsibly and to retain expertise within the wider atmospheric science system wherever possible.
Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what process was followed that led to decision to cut funding for the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM).
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Following a review of value for money across its infrastructure investments, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), concluded that the Facility for Airbourne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) aircraft no longer offers value for money due to significant rising operating and maintenance costs and limited planned usage. Only two research projects are currently scheduled to use the aircraft between 2027 and 2029, accounting for approximately 27% of the available flying hours.
NERC has engaged directly with the programme leads for the two projects affected, and is working to see how the aims of the research can be achieved through deployment of FAAM instrumentation from ground-based or other platforms, or through exploring alternative approaches with partners to achieve its goals, including the use of drones and other technologies.
Ceasing FAAM operations will also release over £32 million in savings across the Spending Review Period, with a further £5 million in costs. This funding will remain within UK environmental science, enabling reinvestment in more adaptable, scalable and lower-emission technologies that can support a broader range of researchers and applications.
Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department considered alternative funding models for the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) reached the decision to cease Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) operations following a rigorous value-for-money assessment. This included a review of historical and forecast demand for the aircraft, detailed analysis of operating costs, and an assessment of future operational risks.
Over the past year, and prior to the decision to cease funding, The National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) explored different operating models, including options to increase external income. However, forecast demand for the aircraft remained low. NERC and UKRI are aware that several organisations have expressed interest in purchasing the aircraft.
As NERC and UKRI progresses the sale of the airframe, they will undertake appropriate market assessment and engagement, in line with HM Treasury guidance, to ensure that its disposal achieves the best possible value for public money.
Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
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 on the potential impact of changes in funding for the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements on (a) the UK’s weather, climate and air quality research capacity and (b) related skills pipeline.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), a part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is reviewing the value for money of its infrastructure investments to ensure maximum impact for the UK and transition its atmospheric science infrastructure to more flexible, scalable and sustainable technologies. As part of this, NERC has decided to cease funding the Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements (FAAM) aircraft, which is operated by the National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS) at the end of this financial year, with orderly decommissioning taking place in FY 2026/27.
While there are some aspects of atmospheric science that can only be done with an aircraft, the future direction of atmospheric science increasingly favours distributed observing systems, land-based capability, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), and advanced sensor technologies that offer lower emissions, greater responsiveness and improved cost‑effectiveness through scalability.
NERC and UKRI have already begun investing in these areas, including a Net Zero Aerial Capability scoping programme (in collaboration with Innovate UK) on UAV development, as well as committing additional investment to NCAS’ Atmospheric Measuring and Observation Facility (AMOF) equipment pools. NERC will also invest £1 million in Financial Year 2026/27 to further explore autonomous capabilities, with the intention of scaling successful approaches.
NERC is engaging closely with affected staff and institutions to retain expertise within the wider atmospheric science system (including weather, climate and air quality research) wherever possible. Much of the FAAM equipment will be repurposed and will continue to require skilled operators, helping to maintain capability and minimise impacts on the skills pipeline.
Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
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 increase in the level of (a) misinformation and (b) disinformation from (i) non-state actors on social media platforms (ii) all sources during elections.
Answered by Feryal Clark
DSIT takes the threat of mis- and disinformation from all actors extremely seriously. The 2024 General Election and 2025 Local Elections ran smoothly and securely, with no serious information incidents affecting their integrity. DSIT, as part of the Defending Democracy Taskforce, worked with partners across government and social media platforms to minimise information risks during the election.
Since then, the Online Safety Act’s illegal content duties came into force in March 2025, requiring platforms to address and remove illegal content, including content that incites violence, intends to harm, intimidate, or deceive voters into changing their vote, or constitutes foreign interference.
Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the White paper entitled Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published in May 2025, whether she plans to take steps to help support small and medium-sized research and development businesses to recruit the best scientific talent from other countries.
Answered by Feryal Clark
The Government is committed to attracting top global talent to the UK. The Immigration White Paper reinforces our ambition to increase the number of world-class scientists coming here through high-talent routes like the Global Talent and High Potential Individual visas. This includes simplifying access to the Global Talent visa and expanding fast-track options for individuals with the skills and expertise to drive growth in strategic industries.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology works closely with Department for Business and Trade on initiatives to attract the best talent to the UK, connecting international talent with UK opportunities and helping to strengthen the UK's position as a global Science and Technology power.
Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
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 to help support people in areas where (a) there is damage to broadband cables and (b) other repairs are required to access to broadband services.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department works with Ofcom and communication providers to ensure broadband services are resilient and reliable. All communication providers have statutory obligations to maintain their networks and services. Ofcom has the power to investigate, rectify, and penalise providers for breaches. Consumers can report faults or delays on Ofcom’s website. Additionally, customers of the 10 providers who have signed up to Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme can be compensated as a result of a delayed repair following loss of service.
Asked by: Ian Sollom (Liberal Democrat - St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire)
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 to speed up the pace of repairs to damaged broadband cables in rural areas.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department works with Ofcom and communication providers to ensure broadband services are resilient and reliable. All communication providers have statutory obligations to maintain their networks and services. Ofcom has the power to investigate, rectify, and penalise providers for breaches. Consumers can report faults or delays on Ofcom’s website. Additionally, customers of the 10 providers who have signed up to Ofcom’s automatic compensation scheme can be compensated as a result of a delayed repair following loss of service.