Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what proportion of her Department’s (a) advertising and (b) marketing expenditure was on (i) local newspapers in print and online, (ii) national newspapers in print and online, (iii) social media, (iv) search engines, (v) broadcast and on-demand television and (vi) other channels in the most recent year for which data is available.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
We are still compiling final spend figures for financial year 23/24. We do acknowledge the importance and usefulness of advertising and marketing expenditure in delivering key information to the public.
Based on our indicative statistics for financial year 23/24, the proportion of the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology marketing spend on each item was as follows:
i) Local newspapers in print and online 0%
ii) National newspapers in print and online 6%
iii) Social media 39%
iv) Search engines 6%
v) Broadcast and on-demand television 0%
vi) Other channels 49%
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department is taking steps to require online distributors to inform consumers of the minimum length of time a smart product sold via their website will receive security updates.
Answered by George Freeman
When the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act’s product security regime comes into effect, manufacturers will be required to publish the minimum period of time the product will receive security updates for (the “defined support period”), including in a ‘statement of compliance’ that accompanies the product. This will be required if they are aware or ought to be aware that their product will be made available to UK consumers, including via online spaces.
The Government does not currently plan to make it mandatory for the distributors of these products to publicise the defined support period available, however we do encourage distributors to take this action voluntarily. If the manufacturer fails to publish the defined support period, the enforcement authority can issue notices demanding that the manufacturer, importer or distributor stop selling the product. They can also seize products from any person in the supply chain and recall them from end users.
We will be monitoring the effectiveness of the product security regime when it comes into effect. If evidence emerges suggesting further action to ensure the availability of the defined support period at points of purchase would be appropriate, the PSTI product security regime empowers Ministers to take such action.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what (a) algorithmic and (b) other automated decision making systems her Department uses; and for what purposes.
Answered by George Freeman
The Department does not currently use algorithmic and other automated decision-making systems as the primary source of judgement in its processes. It is working to use technologies such as automation and AI innovatively to improve outcomes and efficiency.
Government’s Roadmap to a Digital Future includes digital transformation in Government by “automating manual processes” in order to drive greater efficiency and deliver maximum value for the taxpayer.
The Department's Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, in collaboration with the Cabinet Office's Central Digital and Data Office, has established the UK's Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard. This helps public sector organisations provide clear information about the algorithmic tools they use, and why they’re using them.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the evidence of the Information Commissioner to the EU Parliament Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs on 23 May, whether her Department has had recent discussions with the European Commission on the potential impact of the Data Protection and Information (no. 2) Bill on data adequacy.
Answered by John Whittingdale
We maintain an ongoing dialogue with the European Commission and have a positive, constructive relationship. We are engaging with the European Commission on our proposals in the Data Protection and Digital Information (no.2) Bill.
As we have set out in our National Data Strategy, we are committed to championing the international flow of data. As part of this, we will continue to engage with the EU, both at official and Ministerial levels, with a view to ensuring our reciprocal arrangements for free flow of personal data can remain in place on an ongoing basis.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of awareness among (a) consumers and (b) businesses of the public switched telephone network switch off; and what steps she is taking to improve awareness of the switch off.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is a privately-owned telecommunications network. Communications providers are in the process of upgrading the old PSTN to new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Consumers can expect to be upgraded by 2025. The migration is industry-led and does not result from any government decision or form part of any government programme.
Ofcom is responsible for ensuring telecoms providers adhere to their regulatory obligations throughout the migration process, such as ensuring uninterrupted access to the emergency services and protecting vulnerable consumers. Ofcom has published guidance which states that providers must take steps to identify and protect at-risk consumers who are dependent on their landline. Providers have a range of solutions to ensure vulnerable consumers receive additional support. These options include, among others, free battery back-up units to engineer supported installations or hybrid landline phones.
We are working together with Ofcom to ensure customers receive appropriate levels of communication and vulnerable consumers are protected. Ofcom requires that providers must engage in effective communications. In January 2023, we published a webpage on GOV.UK to provide information to consumers about the PSTN migration.
As this is an industry-led migration, Communications Providers will contact their customers with information ahead of their line being upgraded. The exact migration process will depend on the provider and the type of equipment the customer has at their premises.
The Department meets regularly with Communications Providers to discuss the progress they have made in migrating their customers, and to ensure they have adequate plans in place to inform their customers and protect vulnerable consumers. This includes, but is not limited to, quarterly progress meetings with individual providers, quarterly meetings with Communications Providers and all government departments, and quarterly meetings with Ofcom. The Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure also convened a roundtable with the largest providers in January 2023 to discuss their communications plans.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of her Department's progress towards the 2025 target for the public switched telephone network switch-over; and what steps her Department is taking to ensure that this target is reached.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is a privately-owned telecommunications network. Communications providers are in the process of upgrading the old PSTN to new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Consumers can expect to be upgraded by 2025. The migration is industry-led and does not result from any government decision or form part of any government programme.
Ofcom is responsible for ensuring telecoms providers adhere to their regulatory obligations throughout the migration process, such as ensuring uninterrupted access to the emergency services and protecting vulnerable consumers. Ofcom has published guidance which states that providers must take steps to identify and protect at-risk consumers who are dependent on their landline. Providers have a range of solutions to ensure vulnerable consumers receive additional support. These options include, among others, free battery back-up units to engineer supported installations or hybrid landline phones.
We are working together with Ofcom to ensure customers receive appropriate levels of communication and vulnerable consumers are protected. Ofcom requires that providers must engage in effective communications. In January 2023, we published a webpage on GOV.UK to provide information to consumers about the PSTN migration.
As this is an industry-led migration, Communications Providers will contact their customers with information ahead of their line being upgraded. The exact migration process will depend on the provider and the type of equipment the customer has at their premises.
The Department meets regularly with Communications Providers to discuss the progress they have made in migrating their customers, and to ensure they have adequate plans in place to inform their customers and protect vulnerable consumers. This includes, but is not limited to, quarterly progress meetings with individual providers, quarterly meetings with Communications Providers and all government departments, and quarterly meetings with Ofcom. The Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure also convened a roundtable with the largest providers in January 2023 to discuss their communications plans.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that vulnerable customers are not negatively impacted by the public switched telephone network switch off.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is a privately-owned telecommunications network. Communications providers are in the process of upgrading the old PSTN to new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Consumers can expect to be upgraded by 2025. The migration is industry-led and does not result from any government decision or form part of any government programme.
Ofcom is responsible for ensuring telecoms providers adhere to their regulatory obligations throughout the migration process, such as ensuring uninterrupted access to the emergency services and protecting vulnerable consumers. Ofcom has published guidance which states that providers must take steps to identify and protect at-risk consumers who are dependent on their landline. Providers have a range of solutions to ensure vulnerable consumers receive additional support. These options include, among others, free battery back-up units to engineer supported installations or hybrid landline phones.
We are working together with Ofcom to ensure customers receive appropriate levels of communication and vulnerable consumers are protected. Ofcom requires that providers must engage in effective communications. In January 2023, we published a webpage on GOV.UK to provide information to consumers about the PSTN migration.
As this is an industry-led migration, Communications Providers will contact their customers with information ahead of their line being upgraded. The exact migration process will depend on the provider and the type of equipment the customer has at their premises.
The Department meets regularly with Communications Providers to discuss the progress they have made in migrating their customers, and to ensure they have adequate plans in place to inform their customers and protect vulnerable consumers. This includes, but is not limited to, quarterly progress meetings with individual providers, quarterly meetings with Communications Providers and all government departments, and quarterly meetings with Ofcom. The Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure also convened a roundtable with the largest providers in January 2023 to discuss their communications plans.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department plan to publicise the public switched telephone network switch off.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is a privately-owned telecommunications network. Communications providers are in the process of upgrading the old PSTN to new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Consumers can expect to be upgraded by 2025. The migration is industry-led and does not result from any government decision or form part of any government programme.
Ofcom is responsible for ensuring telecoms providers adhere to their regulatory obligations throughout the migration process, such as ensuring uninterrupted access to the emergency services and protecting vulnerable consumers. Ofcom has published guidance which states that providers must take steps to identify and protect at-risk consumers who are dependent on their landline. Providers have a range of solutions to ensure vulnerable consumers receive additional support. These options include, among others, free battery back-up units to engineer supported installations or hybrid landline phones.
We are working together with Ofcom to ensure customers receive appropriate levels of communication and vulnerable consumers are protected. Ofcom requires that providers must engage in effective communications. In January 2023, we published a webpage on GOV.UK to provide information to consumers about the PSTN migration.
As this is an industry-led migration, Communications Providers will contact their customers with information ahead of their line being upgraded. The exact migration process will depend on the provider and the type of equipment the customer has at their premises.
The Department meets regularly with Communications Providers to discuss the progress they have made in migrating their customers, and to ensure they have adequate plans in place to inform their customers and protect vulnerable consumers. This includes, but is not limited to, quarterly progress meetings with individual providers, quarterly meetings with Communications Providers and all government departments, and quarterly meetings with Ofcom. The Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure also convened a roundtable with the largest providers in January 2023 to discuss their communications plans.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions her Department has had with relevant industry stakeholders on the public switched telephone network switch off.
Answered by John Whittingdale
The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is a privately-owned telecommunications network. Communications providers are in the process of upgrading the old PSTN to new Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. Consumers can expect to be upgraded by 2025. The migration is industry-led and does not result from any government decision or form part of any government programme.
Ofcom is responsible for ensuring telecoms providers adhere to their regulatory obligations throughout the migration process, such as ensuring uninterrupted access to the emergency services and protecting vulnerable consumers. Ofcom has published guidance which states that providers must take steps to identify and protect at-risk consumers who are dependent on their landline. Providers have a range of solutions to ensure vulnerable consumers receive additional support. These options include, among others, free battery back-up units to engineer supported installations or hybrid landline phones.
We are working together with Ofcom to ensure customers receive appropriate levels of communication and vulnerable consumers are protected. Ofcom requires that providers must engage in effective communications. In January 2023, we published a webpage on GOV.UK to provide information to consumers about the PSTN migration.
As this is an industry-led migration, Communications Providers will contact their customers with information ahead of their line being upgraded. The exact migration process will depend on the provider and the type of equipment the customer has at their premises.
The Department meets regularly with Communications Providers to discuss the progress they have made in migrating their customers, and to ensure they have adequate plans in place to inform their customers and protect vulnerable consumers. This includes, but is not limited to, quarterly progress meetings with individual providers, quarterly meetings with Communications Providers and all government departments, and quarterly meetings with Ofcom. The Minister for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure also convened a roundtable with the largest providers in January 2023 to discuss their communications plans.
Asked by: Stephanie Peacock (Labour - Barnsley South)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure at the public bill committee for the Data Protection and Digital Information (No. 2) Bill, Official Report, column 148, how relevant stakeholders can make contributions on clause 13 for the Minister's consideration.
Answered by John Whittingdale
There were over 3,000 responses from stakeholders to our consultation, “Data: A New Direction”. We continue to engage with stakeholders about these reforms, including through our business advisory group and in dedicated meetings with interested organisations. I encourage stakeholders to write to me, as the Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, if they would like to share further views.