Written questions by Griffith.

Innovation and Technology, how many special advisers have been appointed by his Department since 4 July 2024.

Three special advisers have been appointed by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology since 4 July 2024.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on easing planning rules for data centres.

The Secretary of State has regular formal and informal conversations with the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on a range of issues. I welcome the proposed changes to planning policy that would facilitate growth in UK data centre capacity and subsequent growth in the digital economy.

Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to support extravehicular activity on UK private space flight missions.

There are currently no plans to provide government support for extravehicular activities on private spaceflight missions.The UK Space Agency has been working with Axiom Space to explore the potential for a UK-led, commercially funded mission to the International Space Station to carry out science and technology demonstrations. Any extravehicular activities during the mission would be focused on functional maintenance and would be carried out by professional astronauts.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's publication entitled DSIT annual report and accounts 2023 to 2024, published on 12 September 2024, whether his Department plans to use the £599 million underspend.

As set out in guidance underspends cannot be automatically carried forward into the following financial year.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to continue implementation of the five goals of the UK Strategy for Engagement with CERN.

The UK is a founding member of CERN, and we are committed to our membership of this globally unique organisation. The government wants to ensure that the UK are maximising the benefits of CERN membership captured in the CERN Strategy. The UK will continue to work closely with CERN now and in the future to drive research excellence, foster talent & skills and inspire the science community, while working to increase returns to UK industry and strengthening our relationships with all our fellow CERN Member States.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 2 August 2024 to Question 1988, whether he made an assessment of the potential merits of holding an open competition for the appointment of the Director General for Digital Centre Design.

Consideration was given to running an open recruitment competition for this role, however due to the temporary nature of the role and the need to progress work on the future design of the government Digital Centre at pace, initial use of an exception was favoured.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to provide funding for the development of a new headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts at the University of Reading to be completed by autumn 2026.

The Government remains committed to funding the construction of a new headquarters for the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) at the University of Reading, as set out in the 2021 UK offer to ECMWF. Construction of the new headquarters is expected to conclude in 2026. Once operational, the new headquarters will help maintain the UK's reputation as a world-leader in weather and climate science, retain highly skilled jobs in the UK, and form a focal point for collaboration on international science.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with his EU counterparts on EU Regulation 2024/1689 since 25 July 2024.

Following the King's Speech announcement to establish legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful AI models, we continue to develop our proposed approach. This includes engaging with key partners, such as the EU, who are a key science and technology partner, to discuss our respective approaches.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with his US counterpart on the potential introduction of expanded AI regulation since 25 July 2024.

Following the King's Speech announcement to establish legislation to place requirements on those working to develop the most powerful AI models, we continue to develop our proposed approach. This includes engaging with key partners, such as the US, who are a key science and technology partner, to discuss our respective approaches.

Innovation and Technology, what information the Intellectual Property Office holds on the number of patents registered in (a) July and (b) August 2024.

There were 746 patents granted (registered) by the Intellectual Property Office in July 2024, and 625 patents granted in August 2024. These figures are part of IPO’s Official Statistics and are published each month. They can be accessed on our website.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions on the availability of consumer Artificial Intelligence tools with representatives of (a) Apple, (b) Google and (c) Microsoft.

Across DSIT and the wider Government, we continue to regularly engage with key stakeholders, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft. We recognise the availability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is fundamental to encouraging adoption and to kickstart an era of economic growth. The AI Opportunities Action Plan will set out ways to improve people’s lives by enhancing services, developing new products and boosting the responsible adoption of AI across all parts of the economy.

Innovation and Technology, how much funding his Department plans to provide for infrastructure projects in the engineering biology sector in the next three financial years.

The National Vision for Engineering Biology, published in December 2023, recognises the importance of access to infrastructure for enabling growth and unlocking innovation for engineering biology applications. UKRI invested £100 million in Engineering Biology Missions this year, including to six Engineering Biology Hubs.DSIT is working with other departments and arm’s length bodies such as UKRI to explore a range of options to increase access to infrastructure for engineering biology.

Innovation and Technology, whether he is taking steps to support investment in (a) start-ups and (b) university spin-outs.

The Government is taking steps to increase the availability of capital in the UK and help businesses access finance, including for start-ups and spinouts. For example, our creation of a National Wealth Fund will increase access to domestic capital for businesses, and our ten-year extension of the Enterprise Investment Scheme and the Venture Capital Trust initiatives maintains investment incentives.To support startups, Innovate UK offers businesses loans, grants and investor partnerships at the start-up/R&D stage through to scale up and growth. To support spinouts, the Government is implementing the recommendations of the Independent Review of University Spin-outs published last year.

Innovation and Technology, how many diversity, equality and inclusion officers his Department employed in August 2024.

In August 2024, DSIT employed two members of staff whose entire role was dedicated to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and two members of staff for whom it constituted 50% of their role. This is a reduction from the previous month, where the team was temporarily larger to allow a handover due to personnel changes. There has been no change in staffing numbers since August.