Written questions by Jogee.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to use nuclear energy to support the AI Opportunities Action Plan.

The Government recognises the significant energy demands of advanced AI infrastructure and is exploring how this can be met through renewable power sources, including nuclear.In February this year, the Prime Minister announced significant reforms to accelerate the development of nuclear power infrastructure, including the Nuclear Regulatory Reform Taskforce which will oversee enhancements to the nuclear regulatory framework to facilitate the timely and efficient development of nuclear projects.DSIT is working closely with DESNZ and NESO to align AI energy demand with future energy planning and long-term sustainability, including the potential role of nuclear in supporting these objectives.The AI Energy Council, co-chaired by the Secretaries of State for DSIT and DESNZ, will explore clean energy solutions for AI infrastructure, including small modular reactors and next-gen renewables, to ensure our AI ambitions align with the UK’s net zero goals.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he has taken to protect people in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency, (b) Staffordshire and (c) the UK from cyber attack.

The cyber security of the UK is a priority for the government. We are taking a range of action to protect people, businesses and the economy from cyber threats. This year the government will introduce the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill to improve UK cyber defences and better secure our essential services and the IT infrastructure they rely upon. In Staffordshire, the Cyber Resilience Centre for the West Midlands is part of a nationwide police-led collaboration helping strengthen cyber resilience in small and medium-sized businesses, while the Cyber PROTECT Network operates in every police force area, providing advice and guidance to individuals to help protect against a range of threats and provide support to victims. The government’s Stop! Think Fraud campaign provides the public with advice on how to prevent fraud and cyber crime.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help improve digital skills for young people not in education, employment or training in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) Staffordshire.

The Government published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February 2025, identifying five target groups to benefit most from digital inclusion initiatives, including older and young people. The Government understands there are many other impacted groups, and is committed to delivering digital inclusion for everyone across the UK, whatever their circumstances.The Action Plan outlines five immediate Government actions, including enhancing support for the Essential Digital Skills framework that helps people and businesses get essential skills they need to get online safely and confidently, and the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support local digital inclusion initiatives across the UK.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help improve digital skills for people over 70 years old in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) Staffordshire.

The Government published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February 2025, identifying five target groups to benefit most from digital inclusion initiatives, including older and young people. The Government understands there are many other impacted groups, and is committed to delivering digital inclusion for everyone across the UK, whatever their circumstances.The Action Plan outlines five immediate Government actions, including enhancing support for the Essential Digital Skills framework that helps people and businesses get essential skills they need to get online safely and confidently, and the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support local digital inclusion initiatives across the UK.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help improve digital skills for women in Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.

The Government published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in February 2025, identifying five target groups to benefit most from digital inclusion initiatives, including older and young people. The Government understands there are many other impacted groups, and is committed to delivering digital inclusion for everyone across the UK, whatever their circumstances.The Action Plan outlines five immediate Government actions, including enhancing support for the Essential Digital Skills framework that helps people and businesses get essential skills they need to get online safely and confidently, and the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support local digital inclusion initiatives across the UK.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of research and development on the Government's growth agenda.

R&D is fundamental to achieving the Government’s mission of kickstarting economic growth and we know businesses grow faster because of science and innovation. In the 6 years after receiving their first R&D grant funding, employment increases in th...

Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the role of science and innovation in the defence sector.

Cutting-edge science, innovation and technology are central to modern defence and UK national security. DSIT is working closely with MOD to input into its Strategic Defence Review, to help MOD leverage the strengths of the UK S&T ecosystem to achieve ...

Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of science and innovation on job creation in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Science and innovation are vital to our mission to kickstart economic growth and create jobs in every part of the country.For example, Research England invested £5 million into the HyDEX programme, which Keele University leads on behalf of the Midlands-ba...

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of science and innovation on regional inequalities.

Increasing productivity right across the UK is fundamental to our mission to kickstart economic growth. We know businesses grow faster because of science and innovation. In the 6 years after receiving their first R&D grant funding, the average busines...

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the devolved Administrations on (a) science and innovation and (b) research and development.

The Secretary of State met with each of his ministerial counterparts in the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive.These discussions have been highly constructive, in keeping with the Prime Minister’s reset in relations with ...

Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of an international strategy for science and innovation.

Science and innovation are fundamentally international endeavours, and the Government has an open-arms approach to international science. The Government’s strategy is to strengthen ties with international partners and rebuild the UK’s reputation as a stro...

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure universities receive an adequate level of research funding.

University research is funded by UKRI through the dual support approach which balances strategic institutional research funding allocated by Research England with grant funding awarded by Research Councils for individuals and programmes within Higher Educ...

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to introduce 10-year funding settlements for research institutions.

The Government has committed to setting ten-year budgets for certain R&D activities, where long-term investment will better support the ability to form partnerships with industry, build and develop skills and talent, and foster international collabora...

Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the steps being taken to support the long-term sustainability of research funding in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme

The Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have regular discussions on a range of issues.The Government is determined to work with the sector to transition to sustainable research funding models. Universities will also need to take their o...

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the role of research and development investment in promoting economic growth.

The Secretary of State and the Chancellor of the Exchequer have regular discussions on a range of issues. Kickstarting economic growth is a key mission of this Government, with research and development (R&D) investment playing a central role in this.