Written questions by Griffith.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Answer of 25 April 2024 to Question 22294 on Genomics: China, whether he has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the cross-departmental programme of work to minimise the risks of biological data.

Through the delivery of the UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is committed ensuring the UK is resilient to a spectrum of biological threats, as well as being a world leader in innovation. As part of this Strategy, the Government is undertaking a programme of work to assess how we can minimise the risks from biological data to protect our burgeoning bioeconomy and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health outcomes in the UK and across the world.I am actively engaging with relevant Cabinet colleagues on this issue, through the relevant national security structures.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions on national security considerations relating to biological data with (a) Genomics England, (b) UK Biobank and (c) NIHR Bioresource.

Through the delivery of the UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is committed ensuring the UK is resilient to a spectrum of biological threats, as well as being a world leader in innovation. As part of this Strategy, the Government is undertaking a programme of work to assess how we can minimise the risks from biological data to protect our burgeoning bioeconomy and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health outcomes in the UK and across the world.The Government is actively engaging with Genomics England, UK Biobank, NIHR Bioresource and Our Future Health to build the security and resilience of our genome banks.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to visit the SaxaVord Spaceport in 2024.

A date has still to be arranged, but I intend to visit as soon as possible.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to publish a new National Vision for Engineering Biology.

DSIT has not announced any intention to publish a new National Vision for Engineering Biology.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has met with the National Quantum Technologies Programme Strategic Advisory Board to discuss how to reduce the potential impact of regulation on the levels of innovation in the quantum sector.

The Department of Science and Innovation and Technology regularly consults the National Quantum Technologies Programme Strategic Advisory Board (SAB) on all aspects of the National Quantum Strategy, including regulation.SAB members have advised on and inputted into the government response to the Regulatory Horizons Council (RHC) report on quantum regulation.Officials in my department have also consulted with a wide range of industry representatives from the quantum sector ahead of publication to ensure that the government’s regulatory strategy enables innovation in quantum.

Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in China.

Since taking office, I have been in contact and exchanged views on the UK-China Science and Technology relationship with Minister Yin Hejun, my counterpart in China’s Ministry of Science and Technology.

Innovation and Technology, what the selection process was for members of his Department’s Digital Government panel.

The Digital Centre Design Advisory Panel has been established to advise, test ideas and constructively challenge our thinking as we develop the new digital centre of government.DSIT selected individuals who bring a diverse set of views and experience from across the UK tech sector, academics, digital government, regional growth and international voices, including co-chairs Martha Lane Fox and Paul Willmott.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the 10th Research and Innovation Framework Programme.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology published a Position Paper (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-position-on-eus-research-and-innovation-framework-programme) outlining the Government's views on FP10 on 26 September 2024.As set out in the paper, the Government recognises the importance of collaboration with European counterparts on research and innovation. To that end, the Secretary of State wrote to the European Research Commissioner to confirm the paper’s publication and our desire to engage with the EU on the development of FP10. In addition, Minister Vallance has met with the Commissioner and spoken with Manuel Heitor (chair of the expert group for Horizon Europe and FP10). The DSIT CSA was also in Brussels earlier this week discussing FP10 with counterparts. The Government is keen to continue working with the EU, Member States and third countries to ensure FP10 can best address pressing global problems and directly improve people’s lives.

What steps his Department is taking to support the development of nuclear reactors which make use of re-processed fuels.

The decision of whether or when to reprocess spent fuel is a matter for the owner of the spent fuel. Whilst industrial scale reprocessing of spent fuels in the UK has ended, the value of the UK’s nuclear fuel cycle knowledge and skills base is recognised, both in managing the UK’s nuclear legacy and in supporting future capabilities and research programmes. The UK Government continues to provide support through investments in research facilities and programmes.

What discussions (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with newcleo Ltd in the last three months.

Details of Ministers’ and Permanent Secretaries' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK.Published declarations include the purpose of the meeting and the names of any additional external organisations or individuals in attendance.

What steps his Department is taking to support the development of small modular reactors.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) could play an important role in helping the UK achieve energy security and clean power while securing thousands of good, skilled jobs. The Department has provided funding of up to £210m to support the development of the Rolls Royce SMR design. The Future Nuclear Enabling Fund is currently awarding grants of up to £67m to support advanced nuclear designs through UK regulation, including SMRs.Separately, Great British Nuclear is continuing to deliver the live SMR Technology Selection Process for UK deployment.

What steps his Department is taking to support the development of advanced modular reactors.

Advanced Modular Reactors have the potential to help tackle hard-to-abate emissions in energy intensive industries. The Government continues to fund research and innovation to develop High Temperature Gas Reactor technology and their advanced fuels through the £385 million Advanced Nuclear Fund during the current Spending Review period. The current programme is also providing funding to the UK’s nuclear regulators to ensure they can develop capabilities to regulate novel reactor types. Some advanced reactor designs require High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuel, so securing a supply of HALEU is essential to unleash the benefits of new designs on our path to Net Zero. Our £300m HALEU programme expect to develop a full HALEU front-end fuel cycle capability in the UK by the early 2030s, helping to support and attract advanced reactor designs to the UK.

Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to reduce the number of arm’s-length bodies sponsored by his Department.

Arm’s Length Bodies should operate efficiently and should only exist where necessary. The Department operates a review programme and a number of DSIT's ALBs are subject to review every year. These reviews consider the continuing necessity of the ALB. New ALBs are only established when all other delivery mechanisms have been exhausted and are subject to approval by HM Treasury.

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, 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, 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, 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.

Whether she has had discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority on beyond visual line of sight drone trials.

The Government is committed to achieving routine beyond visual line of sight drone operations in the UK and has provided funding to support the Civil Aviation Authority’s beyond visual line of sight drone trials, whilst also developing the right regulatory framework to make sure drone operations are safe, sustainable and secure.

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 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.