Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Oliver Dowden and David Evennett

Wednesday 10th July 2019 Commons Chamber

[Oliver Dowden]

Experience of innovative technology suggests that it can make services more personalised and more tailored to individual circumstances. However, it is important for us to continue to make services accessible to everyone, which is why they will always be available in a non-digital format as well.

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that while our country has always been at the forefront of innovation, to allow businesses to thrive and flourish we need a sound and successful economy, which would then result in innovative public services?

[Oliver Dowden]

As ever, my right hon. Friend is absolutely correct. It is only because we have a strong economy that we are able to invest in innovative technologies, which is why we have such a great track record.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Oliver Dowden and David Evennett

Wednesday 13th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

Will my hon. Friend say whether in the discussions he has been having he has reflected on how much the national living wage will increase from next month, and how many workers that will benefit?

[Oliver Dowden]

As ever, my right hon. Friend is absolutely correct. In fact, the effect of the national living wage this year is to hand workers a £700 pay rise.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Oliver Dowden and David Evennett

Wednesday 12th September 2018 Commons Chamber

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

4. What steps he is taking to encourage technological innovation in tackling social challenges and delivering public services.

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Oliver Dowden)]

I am determined that the public sector embraces the huge opportunities for better public services at lower cost provided by technology. That is why last week I announced five new public sector challenges from the GovTech innovation fund and why I am also leading the development of a public services innovation strategy to be published next spring.

[Oliver Dowden]

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. I know that she is committed to this issue. We, too, are committed to using emerging technologies to improve the quality of care for patients and to empower staff. Under one of the GovTech challenges last week, we are working with a healthcare trust to ensure prescriptions are not interrupted when people move between care providers and, as Members will have seen, my right hon. Friend the Health Secretary is also very much committed to this agenda.

[Sir David Evennett]

I welcome what my hon. Friend is doing in this area, but what steps are the Government taking to harness the power of technology to help to tackle the problem of loneliness, which the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness, the Prime Minister and Members across this House have done so much to highlight?

[Oliver Dowden]

My right hon. Friend raises an important point. Under the GovTech innovation fund, in collaboration with Monmouthshire County Council, we are working to investigate a solution to identify vehicles with spare capacity to tackle loneliness and rural isolation. That is another example of the great potential of technology to help to alleviate loneliness across society and to support people in having meaningful social relationships.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Oliver Dowden and David Evennett

Wednesday 27th June 2018 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Oliver Dowden)]

As the hon. Gentleman will know, the Cabinet Office has extensive functions to ensure that we award contracts only to companies that offer the very best value, and that was exactly the case in that instance.

[Sir David Evennett (Bexleyheath and Crayford) (Con)]

rose—