Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK position on EU's Research and Innovation Framework Programme, published on 26 September 2024, what discussions he has had with Innovate UK on the UK’s approach to the European Union’s Research and Innovation Framework Programme 10 since that paper was published.

In advance of the publication of the UK’s Position Paper on the European Union’s 10th Research and Innovation Framework Programme (FP10), the Government undertook extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders across Government including UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and its constituent councils, as well as with relevant representatives of business and university sectors. This engagement was used to inform the paper. Since then, the Department has remained in regular contact with a wide range of stakeholders on our approach to EU Research and Innovation Programmes, including through regular stakeholder meetings and public-facing engagements such as the Horizon Europe roadshows in Belfast and Cardiff. Such engagement will continue as further detail on FP10 emerges from the EU.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK position on EU's Research and Innovation Framework Programme, published on 26 September 2024, what discussions he has had with the Science and Technology Facilities Council on the UK’s approach to the European Union’s Research and Innovation Framework Programme 10 since that paper was published.

In advance of the publication of the UK’s Position Paper on the European Union’s 10th Research and Innovation Framework Programme (FP10), the Government undertook extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders across Government including UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and its constituent councils, as well as with relevant representatives of business and university sectors. This engagement was used to inform the paper. Since then, the Department has remained in regular contact with a wide range of stakeholders on our approach to EU Research and Innovation Programmes, including through regular stakeholder meetings and public-facing engagements such as the Horizon Europe roadshows in Belfast and Cardiff. Such engagement will continue as further detail on FP10 emerges from the EU.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to his policy paper entitled UK position on EU's Research and Innovation Framework Programme, published on 26 September 2024, what discussions he has had with the Advanced Research and Invention Agency on the UK’s approach to the EU's Research and Innovation Framework Programme 10 since September 2024.

In advance of the publication of the UK’s Position Paper on the European Union’s 10th Research and Innovation Framework Programme (FP10), the Government undertook extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders across Government including UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and its constituent councils, as well as with relevant representatives of business and university sectors. This engagement was used to inform the paper. Since then, the Department has remained in regular contact with a wide range of stakeholders on our approach to EU Research and Innovation Programmes, including through regular stakeholder meetings and public-facing engagements such as the Horizon Europe roadshows in Belfast and Cardiff. Such engagement will continue as further detail on FP10 emerges from the EU.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK position on EU's Research and Innovation Framework Programme, published on 26 September 2024, what discussions he has had with businesses on the UK’s approach to the European Union’s Research and Innovation Framework Programme 10 since that paper was published, broken down by business.

In advance of the publication of the UK’s Position Paper on the European Union’s 10th Research and Innovation Framework Programme (FP10), the Government undertook extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders across Government including UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and its constituent councils, as well as with relevant representatives of business and university sectors. This engagement was used to inform the paper. Since then, the Department has remained in regular contact with a wide range of stakeholders on our approach to EU Research and Innovation Programmes, including through regular stakeholder meetings and public-facing engagements such as the Horizon Europe roadshows in Belfast and Cardiff. Such engagement will continue as further detail on FP10 emerges from the EU.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February 2025 to Question 29596 on Artificial Intelligence: Safety, under which new legislation he plans to criminalise possessing, creating or distributing AI tools designed to generate harmful content.

We are committed to giving law enforcement agencies the powers needed to combat child sexual abuse. That is why we have introduced an offence in the Crime and Policing Bill to criminalise AI models which have been optimised to create child sexual abuse material.UK law is clear – creating, possessing, or distributing child sexual abuse images, including those that are AI generated, is already illegal. This world leading offence makes it a crime to possess, adapt, supply or offer to supply an AI model that has been fine-tuned by offenders to create the most severe forms of child sexual abuse material.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK position on EU's Research and Innovation Framework Programme, published on 26 September 2024, what discussions he has had with universities on the UK’s approach to the European Union’s Research and Innovation Framework Programme 10 since that paper was published, broken down by each university.

In advance of the publication of the UK’s Position Paper on the European Union’s 10th Research and Innovation Framework Programme (FP10), the Government undertook extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders across Government including UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and its constituent councils, as well as with relevant representatives of business and university sectors. This engagement was used to inform the paper. Since then, the Department has remained in regular contact with a wide range of stakeholders on our approach to EU Research and Innovation Programmes, including through regular stakeholder meetings and public-facing engagements such as the Horizon Europe roadshows in Belfast and Cardiff. Such engagement will continue as further detail on FP10 emerges from the EU.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK position on EU's Research and Innovation Framework Programme, published on 26 September 2024, what discussions he has had with UK Research and Innovation on the UK’s approach to the European Union’s Research and Innovation Framework Programme 10 since that paper was published.

In advance of the publication of the UK’s Position Paper on the European Union’s 10th Research and Innovation Framework Programme (FP10), the Government undertook extensive engagement with a range of stakeholders across Government including UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and its constituent councils, as well as with relevant representatives of business and university sectors. This engagement was used to inform the paper. Since then, the Department has remained in regular contact with a wide range of stakeholders on our approach to EU Research and Innovation Programmes, including through regular stakeholder meetings and public-facing engagements such as the Horizon Europe roadshows in Belfast and Cardiff. Such engagement will continue as further detail on FP10 emerges from the EU.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Medical Research Council on the impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on projects they (a) fund and (b) sponsor.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the sector to create a sustainable research and innovation environment and discussions are ongoing.UKRI grants are costed on known costs at the time of application. Whilst we recognise there may be impacts for Research Organisations with the increase in employers National Insurance contributions, unfortunately, it is not feasible to respond to every adjusting economic circumstance.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has made an assessment of recent trends in the level of public support for ending animal experiments in medical research.

The Labour Manifesto includes a commitment to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”. A survey on public attitudes to animal research was carried out regularly until 2018 but ceased during the pandemic and has not been restarted. We are considering the future of the survey as part of our work to deliver the manifesto commitment.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Natural Environment Research Council on the impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions on projects they (a) fund and (b) sponsor.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the sector to create a sustainable research and innovation environment and discussions are ongoing.UKRI grants are costed on known costs at the time of application. Whilst we recognise there may be impacts for Research Organisations with the increase in employers National Insurance contributions, unfortunately, it is not feasible to respond to every adjusting economic circumstance.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Science and Technology Facilities Council on the impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on projects they (a) fund and (b) sponsor since July 2024.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the sector to create a sustainable research and innovation environment and discussions are ongoing.UKRI grants are costed on known costs at the time of application. Whilst we recognise there may be impacts for Research Organisations with the increase in employers National Insurance contributions, unfortunately, it is not feasible to respond to every adjusting economic circumstance.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Research England on the potential impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on projects they fund or sponsor since July 2024.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the sector to create a sustainable research and innovation environment and discussions are ongoing.UKRI grants are costed on known costs at the time of application. Whilst we recognise there may be impacts for Research Organisations with the increase in employers National Insurance contributions, unfortunately, it is not feasible to respond to every adjusting economic circumstance.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the UKRI on the potential impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on projects they fund or sponsor since July 2024.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the sector to create a sustainable research and innovation environment and discussions are ongoing.UKRI grants are costed on known costs at the time of application. Whilst we recognise there may be impacts for Research Organisations with the increase in employers National Insurance contributions, unfortunately, it is not feasible to respond to every adjusting economic circumstance.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Innovate UK on the impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on projects they (a) fund and (b) sponsor since July 2024.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the sector to create a sustainable research and innovation environment and discussions are ongoing.UKRI grants are costed on known costs at the time of application. Whilst we recognise there may be impacts for Research Organisations with the increase in employers National Insurance contributions, unfortunately, it is not feasible to respond to every adjusting economic circumstance.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the NSPCC report entitled Viewing Generative AI and Children’s Safety in the Round, published in January 2025.

Creating a safer online world is a priority for government. The strongest protections in the Online Safety Act are for children - in-scope services must remove illegal content and prevent children from encountering harmful content, including where it is AI generated. We are also committed to tackling the atrocious harm of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and will bring in legislation to criminalise possessing, creating or distributing AI tools designed to generate this material.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Geospatial Commission on the impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on projects they (a) fund and (b) sponsor since July 2024.

The Geospatial Commission is now a team inside the Government Digital Service, within the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology. There were no discussions with the Secretary of State on the impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on their work.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions the Government has had with Generative AI technology companies to tackle risks to children.

Protecting children online is a key priority for the government, including through the protections in the Online Safety Act. The Act will require in-scope services to remove illegal content and prevent children from encountering harmful content, including where it is AI generated.Government meets with a range of stakeholders, including AI companies, across a range of issues.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with businesses on the potential impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on projects they fund or sponsor, by individual business since July 2024.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. To support growth, we want business to invest in R&D and innovation and regularly discuss with them how we can optimise the R&D system to ensure it is working effectively for businesses of all sizes that want to innovate and grow.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Economic and Social Research Council on the potential impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on projects they fund or sponsor since July 2024.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the sector to create a sustainable research and innovation environment and discussions are ongoing.UKRI grants are costed on known costs at the time of application. Whilst we recognise there may be impacts for Research Organisations with the increase in employers National Insurance contributions, unfortunately, it is not feasible to respond to every adjusting economic circumstance.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council on the potential impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on projects they fund or sponsor since July 2024.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the sector to create a sustainable research and innovation environment and discussions are ongoing.UKRI grants are costed on known costs at the time of application. Whilst we recognise there may be impacts for Research Organisations with the increase in employers National Insurance contributions, unfortunately, it is not feasible to respond to every adjusting economic circumstance.