Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether appointments to the Regulatory Innovation Office will be included in the Public Bodies Order in Council; and whether the Chair appointment will be classified as a significant appointment.

The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) was established as an Office within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in 2024 to support regulators to update regulation, speed up approvals, and ensure different regulatory bodies work together smoothly. The Department will continue to evaluate and review the RIO’s governance arrangements and objectives to ensure its work aligns with transformative goals and delivers effective regulatory solutions. There are no immediate plans to seek inclusion on the Public Bodies Order in Council which would lead to regulation by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).