Written questions by Spencer.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of AI on UK research into space weather and its consequences.

We have made no such direct assessment, but as a general-purpose technology, AI has a wide array of applications and the UK's existing expert regulators are best placed to regulate the vast majority of AI systems in the context in which they’re deployed.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Geospatial Commission on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.

None

Innovation and Technology, what assessment has he made of potential opportunities for research into (a) space weather and (b) its consequences through Horizon Europe.

Space research in Horizon Europe is covered under Pillar 2, in the cluster ‘Digital, Industry and Space’. DSIT encourages UK researchers to take part in the available funding opportunities to support international cooperation.The EU has restricted the participation of associated countries in a small part of the programme, which includes some calls focused on space technology. DSIT is working constructively with the EU to address these restrictions. We do not pay for areas in which we do not participate.Making Horizon Europe association a success is DSIT’s priority and DSIT is working to boost UK participation and remove barriers to international R&D collaborations.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Horizon Europe on UK-based research into (a) space weather and (b) its consequences since July 2024.

Space research in Horizon Europe is covered under Pillar 2, in the cluster ‘Digital, Industry and Space’. DSIT encourages UK researchers to take part in the available funding opportunities to support international cooperation.The EU has restricted the participation of associated countries in a small part of the programme, which includes some calls focused on space technology. DSIT is working constructively with the EU to address these restrictions. We do not pay for areas in which we do not participate.Making Horizon Europe association a success is DSIT’s priority and DSIT is working to boost UK participation and remove barriers to international R&D collaborations.

What steps he is taking to ensure consistency of the supply of medication for (a) epilepsy and b) Parkinson's disease patients.

The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including directing suppliers to expedite deliveries, some issues, including with some carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine presentations, have been resolved.There was a supply issue with all strengths of lamotrigine tablets, used to manage epilepsy, due to manufacturing issues. The supply issue has recently resolved, and supply is expected to return to normal levels through early December 2024.We are aware of an ongoing supply issue with all strengths of topiramate tablets, with the resupply date to be confirmed. Other manufacturers of topiramate tablets can meet the increased demand during this time.The Department is aware of supply constraints with one supplier of amantadine 100 milligram capsules, used in the management of Parkinson’s disease, however stocks remain available from alternative suppliers to cover this demand.The Department continues to work closely with industry, the National Health Service, and others to help ensure patients continue to have access to an alternative treatment until their usual product is back in stock.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with universities on the UK’s approach to research into food biosecurity since July 2024.

The Department has regular discussions with businesses and universities on a range of issues.

Innovation and Technology, what the total amount of Government investment into chronic kidney disease research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.

Through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) the government committed £8.9 million for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in 2023 and 2024 is £8.9m. £5.8 million of this is through UKRI’s Medical Research Council funding, which includes research into CKD after pregnancy complications, rare genetic diseases and cardiovascular disease as well as discovering new therapies to treat CKD. The Department of Health and Social Care funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR spent £13.4m on Chronic Kidney Diseases in 2023-24.

Innovation and Technology, what the total amount of Government investment into type 1 diabetes disease research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.

Through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the government committed £17.2 million funding for Type 1 Diabetes research in 2023 and 2024 (and includes funding from the Horizon Europe Guarantee). £8.3 million of this is through UKRI’s Medical Research Council funding, which includes research into novel diagnostic technology, cell replacement and pancreatic biology as well as research into foot ulcers and diabetic neuropathy. The Department of Health and Social Care funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR spent £5.2 million on Type 1 Diabetes in 2023-24.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the UKRI on their approach to support research into food biosecurity since July 2024.

I refer the Hon Member to the reply I gave in UIN 16568

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with businesses on the UK’s approach to research into food biosecurity since July 2024.

The Department has regular discussions with businesses and universities on a range of issues.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with ARIA on support for research into food biosecurity since July 2024.

The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Advanced Research & Invention Agency’s (ARIA) Synthetic Plants programme, backed by £62.4 million, will investigate research challenges related to sustainable food supply.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Arts and Humanities Research Council on research into food biosecurity since July 2024.

The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Department engages regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and its constituent Councils, on research and innovation priorities. UKRI’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) also works closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Food Standards Agency and other stakeholders to coordinate and fund a range of cross-sectoral research activities in this area. The BBSRC and Food Standards Agency fund the UK Food Safety Research Network, which connects the food industry, food and health policymakers and academia to collaboratively pursue shared research priorities that will protect the UK from foodborne hazards.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Economic and Social Research Council on research into food biosecurity since July 2024.

The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Department engages regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and its constituent Councils, on research and innovation priorities. UKRI’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) also works closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Food Standards Agency and other stakeholders to coordinate and fund a range of cross-sectoral research activities in this area. The BBSRC and Food Standards Agency fund the UK Food Safety Research Network, which connects the food industry, food and health policymakers and academia to collaboratively pursue shared research priorities that will protect the UK from foodborne hazards.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council on research into food biosecurity since July 2024.

The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Department engages regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and its constituent Councils, on research and innovation priorities. UKRI’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) also works closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Food Standards Agency and other stakeholders to coordinate and fund a range of cross-sectoral research activities in this area. The BBSRC and Food Standards Agency fund the UK Food Safety Research Network, which connects the food industry, food and health policymakers and academia to collaboratively pursue shared research priorities that will protect the UK from foodborne hazards.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council on research into food biosecurity since July 2024.

The Government recognises the importance of food biosecurity. It is critical in helping prevent the spread of disease-causing agents and protecting the safety of food, animals, and humans. The Department engages regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and its constituent Councils, on research and innovation priorities. UKRI’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) also works closely with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Food Standards Agency and other stakeholders to coordinate and fund a range of cross-sectoral research activities in this area. The BBSRC and Food Standards Agency fund the UK Food Safety Research Network, which connects the food industry, food and health policymakers and academia to collaboratively pursue shared research priorities that will protect the UK from foodborne hazards.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to regulate professional dog walkers.

Professional dog walkers must comply with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and other relevant legislation, such as welfare in transport regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act, and any public liability or other insurance policy requirements. The Government has no current plans to regulate professional dog walkers. The Canine and Feline Sector Group has published best practice guidance to assist dog walkers which can be found here: https://www.cfsg.org.uk/.

Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with Ofwat on the potential impact of proposed changes to employers National Insurance contributions on the financial resilience of water companies.

The Secretary of State has not had any discussion with Ofwat on the potential impact of changes to employer National Insurance contributions. Given the principle of regulatory independence, Ofwat conducts the price control review process at a distance from the Government. It would not be appropriate for the Government to interfere in this process. As part of Ofwat's price review process, companies are given an allowance for their total expenditure. Ofwat expects companies to manage their costs within that allowance. Expenditure in excess of allowances may place pressure on a company's financial resilience, and this is an area that Ofwat closely monitors to ensure that companies are able to carry out their functions. Ofwat will publish its final determinations for its 2024 price review in December, which will confirm the total expenditure for water companies for the next five years.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the Post Office board.

Annually, in line with the Financial Reporting Council’s Corporate Governance Code, the Post Office Board runs a Board Evaluation exercise to determine skills gaps on the Board and areas for improvement. The outcomes of this review are shared with DBT as the Post Office Shareholder. The Government monitors the implementation of their recommendations via the Shareholder Representative, UK Government Investments, to support the continuous improvement of the Board. In line with Post Office’s governance framework, the Government recently approved the Post Office Chair to lead the recruitment of new Non-Executive Directors (NEDs) specialising in technological transformation and organisational design to complement the Board’s existing composition. A further two new Postmaster NEDs should join the Board in the near future, providing an ongoing voice on behalf of the postmaster community.

With reference to paragraph 2.40 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, whether he has made an estimate of the number of dental practices that will close as a result of the proposed increase in the rate of employer National Insurance contributions.

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The employer National Insurance rise will be implemented in April 2025, and the Department will set out further details on the allocation of funding for next year in due course.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed increase in the rate of employer National Insurance contributions on (a) trends in the level of recruitment and (b) the provision of care in dentistry.

We have taken necessary decisions to fix the foundations in the public finances at Autumn Budget 2024, which enabled the Spending Review settlement of a £22.6 billion increase in resource spending for the Department from 2023/24 outturn to 2025/26.The employer National Insurance rise will be implemented in April 2025, and the Department will set out further details on the allocation of funding for next year in due course.