Written questions by Onwurah.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential risk that the proposed free trade agreement between the UK and Israel may result in Israel firms having access to British public procurement contracts which support Israeli firms involved in human rights abuses.

The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world. We remain committed to the promotion of universal human rights. We have taken action in the Procurement Act 2023 to strengthen the rules around excluding suppliers which may be unfit to bid for public contracts due to serious past misconduct.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of levels of research and development funding for sickle cell disorder.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects and strategic investments, including research into sickle cell disease, for which UKRI had expenditure of approximately £0.2 million in 2023-24. UKRI also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally.The Department of Health and Social Care funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Over the past five years, the NIHR have awarded over £6 million for research related to sickle cell disease.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that Ofcom publishes details of (a) meetings and (b) correspondence with large social media companies.

Under the Online Safety Act Ofcom is the independent regulator for online safety in the UK. In order to carry out its regulatory functions, it is important that Ofcom maintains regular contact with regulated online services, including large social media companies. Ofcom publicly consults on its draft guidance and codes of practice, and many consultation responses are published on its website, including responses from some regulated services. Ofcom is accountable to Parliament and is required to publish an annual report and accounts. Ofcom is also in scope of the Freedom of Information Act.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has plans to instruct Ofcom to conduct an impact assessment of the decision to designate end-to-end encryption as a risk factor in their Illegal Harms Codes of Practice and illegal content risk assessment guidance.

The Online Safety Act does not ban any service design, including end-to-end-encryption. Under the Act, providers must risk assess the design of their service. Ofcom can only recommend measures in codes of practice that are technically feasible. Separately, Ofcom has powers to direct companies to develop and deploy accredited and accurate technology to identify and remove child sexual abuse material on private communications, but only when all other measures have not adequately addressed the risk.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has carried out an impact assessment for the decision to delay implementation of measures in the Online Safety Act 2023 on fraudulent advertising for Category One services.

Ofcom expects to publish the draft Codes of Practice on the remaining duties on categorised services by early 2026, later than it originally anticipated. The fraudulent advertising duties rely on these codes being in force. Separately, the illegal content duties are now in force and user-to-user services must have appropriate measures to protect users from user-generated fraud. The government has published an enactment impact assessment for the Online Safety Act but has not carried out an impact assessment specifically on the timing of the fraudulent advertising duties coming into effect.

What assessment he has made of the safety of nitrate compounds used to colour preserved meat pink.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) considers the existing levels of nitrites in the United Kingdom to be sufficiently protective for consumers, and they remain important preservatives in a range of foods, which control a range of harmful micro-organisms. However, as with all additives, this remains under review.The FSA has recently worked with industry across the United Kingdom to understand the levels used in processed meat, cheese, and fish products. This is in light of the recent changes in the European Union (EU). Currently, the UK’s position on the EU’s changes is being formulated, whilst ensuring foods remain safe.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department is funding research into (a) sensory processing sensitivity and (b) mitigations for that sensitivity.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects and strategic investments, including research into sensory processing sensitivities, such as autism and ADHD. Research is funded by different Research Councils, including the Medical Research Council through its Neurosciences and Mental Health Board.Additionally, the Department of Health and Social Care funds health research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes proposals for research into a range of conditions, including sensory processing sensitivity, at https://www.nihr.ac.uk/get-involved/suggest-a-research-topic

Innovation and Technology, whether Ofcom has made an estimate of the reduction in fraud on in-scope platforms from the Illegal Content Codes of Practice.

The Online Safety Act gives user-to-user and search service providers new duties for tackling illegal fraud. These duties took effect on 17 March. Providers will need to conduct risk assessments and ensure they put in place systems and processes that proactively tackle fraud. Ofcom set out details about how providers can comply with their duties in its illegal harms codes of practice. Ofcom will keep the effectiveness of its codes under review and strengthen the codes as needed. The department is not aware of any specific estimate for fraud reduction by Ofcom.

What steps he is taking to treat individuals with sensory processing sensitivity.

It is the responsibility of the integrated care boards (ICBs) to ensure that the providers they commission make available appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including for those experiencing sensory processing sensitivity. In October 2023, NHS England produced a sensory-friendly resource pack to support ICBs to develop sensory-friendly environments.

What steps his Department plans to take to involve young cancer patients in discussions about clinical trial designs.

Patient and public involvement and engagement in research is an essential part of delivering world-class clinical trials, improving the accessibility of health and care studies, and increasing recruitment rates and retention of participants.The Department-funded National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) expects patient and public involvement in the research it supports. Applicants for NIHR funding are required to set out plans for involving patients and the public in funding applications, which are assessed by funding committees. Patients and the public work with researchers to help shape aspects of the work, including what research is done, the research design, and how the results are shared.The NIHR has operated the Participant in Research Experience Survey (PRES) since 2015/16, which aims to offer as many research participants as possible the chance to contribute their experiences of taking part in research. The PRES currently operates nationally across the NIHR Research Delivery Network portfolio, and is offered to all participants in eligible cancer studies, including young people.On 4 February 2025, the Department relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce to identify ways to improve outcomes and experiences for children and young people with cancer. The taskforce will be engaging with experts from across the sector, including clinicians, researchers, advocates, and young cancer patients with lived experience as part of its work.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department monitors (a) UK research and development capacity and (b) the impact of reductions in funding by university departments on that capacity.

Research England engages regularly with leaders at all research-intensive universities on a range of issues including R&D capacity. The government is concerned about the potential impact of cuts by universities on UK R&D capacity and is monitoring the situation.We are determined to work with the sector to transition to sustainable research funding models, including by increasing research grant cost recovery as announced by UKRI last week. However, universities also need to take their own steps to ensure they are working as efficiently as possible and cost their research appropriately.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with (a) his international counterparts and (b) regulators in (i) Germany and (ii) Romania on (A) Online Safety Act 2023 and (B) foreign interference in elections.

International collaboration is crucial in tackling the global threat of online harms. DSIT Ministers and officials meet regularly with international partners to discuss online safety, including foreign interference in elections. Tackling foreign interference is crucial to uphold our democratic values, and we are committed to promoting a free, open and secure internet. The latest list of DSIT ministerial meetings (July – September 2024) can be found here:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dsit-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-meetings-july-to-september-2024

What steps he plans to take to improve clinical trial availability across different cancer types.

The Department is committed to maximising the United Kingdom’s potential to lead the world in clinical research, with the aim of ensuring that all patients, including those with different types of cancer, have access to cutting-edge clinical trials and innovative, lifesaving treatments.The Department is working closely with the National Health Service, industry, academia, research regulators, and charities to make clinical research in the UK more efficient, more competitive, and more accessible. We expect these efforts to attract more commercial investment in clinical research and yield a broad and diverse portfolio of clinical trials in the UK, including clinical trials for cancer patients.The Department-funded National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds research and research infrastructure, which supports patients and the public to participate in high-quality research, including clinical research across different cancer types. The NIHR also provides an online service called Be Part of Research, which promotes participation in health and social care research by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. This makes it easier for people to find and take part in health and care research that is relevant to them.

Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 4 March 2025 to Question 34259 on Cathedrals: Conservation, whether her Department recognises cathedrals as heritage assets.

Cathedrals are amongst some of the country’s finest heritage, with the great majority of them on the National Heritage List. There is no set definition of what constitutes a 'heritage asset'. This country has many significant heritage sites and government cannot afford to maintain them all alone.

Pursuant to the Answer of 5 March 2025 to Question 34611 on Microsoft: Prices, what assessment he has made of the implications for consumer.

The Government expects all firms to treat their customers fairly, and there is a strong framework of consumer rights in the UK that underpin this. At the same time, businesses are generally free to set the price of their products as they wish. The UK competition regime encourages open and competitive markets which produces lower prices for consumers. The Government has strengthened both competition and consumer protection regimes in the recent Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 33871 on Government Departments: Digital Technology, whether these discussions included the digitalisation of Government.

As per the previous answer, the Cabinet Office regularly discusses Civil Service workforce matters with trade unions. These matters are wide ranging and include the use of new technology.

Whether Microsoft has recently raised its prices to Government for Office 365.

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) known as the Strategic Partnership Arrangement 2024 (SPA24) with Microsoft, which commenced on 1 November 2024. This arrangement provides enhanced value and discounted pricing for public sector organisations.A reduction of approximately 6% in Microsoft 365 licence pricing took place in February 2025 as part of a wider price adjustment for Commercial Cloud Services.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of Microsoft's increase in prices for Office 365.

The Department for Business and Trade has not conducted a formal assessment on Microsoft's price increase for Office 365.Microsoft cites the addition of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities as the main reason for higher prices. Digital technologies, including AI, are an important way to improve business efficiency. We are exploring ways to boost uptake through the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce, Technology Adoption Review, and AI Opportunities Action Plan. We also provide a range of other support for small businesses, from the Business Support Service to local Growth Hubs.

Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the Church of England on the protection of Cathedral buildings as heritage assets.

None.

Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to help ensure (a) the preservation and (b) contribute to celebrations of the Newcastle Swing Bridge as an industrial heritage asset.

The importance of Newcastle Swing Bridge, spanning the River Tyne, is recognised through its designation as a Scheduled Monument and as a Grade II* listed structure. Historic England, DCMS Arms-Length Body and government’s statutory adviser on the historic environment, is involved in ongoing discussions on restoring movement to the bridge and is supporting relevant stakeholders in its repair.