Every parliamentary written question tabled by Clive Jones this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–18 of 18 · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Innovation and Technology, when the correspondence sent on 22nd October 2025 by the Hon. Member for Wokingham, reference number MC2025-00013812, will receive a response.
The Department apologises for the significant delay in responding to the hon. Member’s correspondence on this occasion. I provided a full response on 24 April 2026.
Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure universal mobile data coverage for passengers on the railway network.
Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. In the 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy (June 2025), the Government committed to work with Ofcom and other regulators to assess the telecommunications needs of the transport sector by December 2026. My officials are undertaking this assessment alongside the Department for Transport and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.The Department for Transport also recently secured funding to introduce low-earth-orbit satellite connectivity on all mainline trains, which will significantly improve both the availability and internet data connection speeds for Wi-Fi connected passengers.
Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to help ensure universal mobile data coverage for for residents in Finchampstead, Wokingham.
In their Connected Nations Spring update, published 8 May 2025, Ofcom reports that 4G geographic coverage is already available across 99% of the Wokingham constituency from all four mobile operators. 5G (combined standalone and non-standalone 5G) is available outside 91% of premises in the constituency from at least one mobile operator, but this falls to 10% from all four operators.Our ambition is for all populated areas, including the Wokingham constituency, to have higher quality standalone 5G by 2030. While mobile network operator's rollout of 5G is a commercial decision, we continue to work closely with network operators to remove barriers to network deployment to achieve our ambition, to support investment into mobile networks and, drive competition in the market.
Innovation and Technology, whether he is taking steps to help support a transition to animal-free medical research methods.
The Labour Manifesto commits to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal. While it is not yet possible to replace all animal use due to the complexity of biological systems and regulatory requirements, we support the development and application of approaches that replace, reduce and refine animal use in research (the 3Rs). Work to support this transition must be science-led and in lock step with partners.The government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year.
Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of transitioning to animal free medical research methods on public health.
The Labour Manifesto commits to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”.Recent developments in technology, in particular cell biology, organoids and AI, promise a step-change in the utility of alternatives to animal testing, which are expected to be more accurate than current animal-based approaches. These alternatives have the potential to improve understanding of human disease, reduce research development time and improve efficacy of therapeutics, providing substantial benefits for public health. The Government will publish a strategy for supporting the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year.
Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of transitioning to animal free medical research methods on the economy.
The Labour Manifesto commits to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”. The government will publish a strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods later this year, which will consider economic impacts.Home to world leading research and pharmaceutical businesses, the UK is well positioned to capitalise on the global non-animal technologies for life sciences market, estimated to be worth $29.4 billion by 2030, and on the scientific and economic advantages of more human-relevant methods applied in product development and testing.
Innovation and Technology, if he will make it his policy to conduct a lessons learned review following the negotiations with AstraZeneca for investment in Speke.
AstraZeneca’s decision not to invest in Speke is deeply disappointing. The Government regularly reviews it’s grant process and routinely seeks applicant feedback. The Government also continues to engage positively with AstraZeneca, including on the new Industrial Strategy and Life Sciences Sector Plan, due to be published in late Spring. This will set out a comprehensive plan of how the Government intends to drive growth in the sector. Support includes the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund, which will allocate up to £520 million to deliver economic growth and build health resilience.
Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 14 February to Question 29747 on AstraZeneca, if he will place a copy of the requested letter in the House of Commons Library.
Due to commercial confidentiality considerations, we are unable to place the requested letter in the House of Commons Library. As with any application for Government grant funding of this nature, all cases undergo rigorous due diligence, which assesses whether the investment represents good value for money for the taxpayer.The Government remains committed to improving the business environment for Life Sciences companies. We continue to engage positively with AstraZeneca on the new Industrial Strategy and Life Sciences Sector Plan, due to be published in late Spring. This will set out a comprehensive plan of how the Government intends to drive growth in the sector.
Innovation and Technology, what discussions (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have had with AstraZeneca on vaccine production at Speke.
My department and I are closely engaged with AstraZeneca as we develop our new modern industrial strategy, which will focus on the sectors with the highest growth opportunity for the economy, including Life Sciences. As part of our engagement, we have had regular discussions with AstraZeneca on vaccine production in Speke.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the oral contribution by the hon. Member for Havant of 3 February 2025, Official Report, column 552, for what reason the letter from AstraZeneca of 9 July 2025 to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology received a delayed response.
The Government has had numerous discussions with AstraZeneca about their proposed investment into Speke. There were minor delays in replying to correspondence following the election period.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms in response to the hon. member for Harpenden and Berkhamsted during the urgent question on AstraZeneca of 3 February 2025, Official Report, column 554, if he will publish the requested letter.
The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms is content to write a letter responding to the hon. Member for Harpenden and Berkhamsted on this matter in due course.
Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to incentivise R&D investment in the United Kingdom.
R&D investment in the UK is 2.8% of GDP, ahead of the OECD average of 2.7%. To further incentivise R&D investment, we are supporting innovators with a record £20.4 billion in R&D spending for 2025/26, which on average leverages £2 of private R&D investment for every pound of public investment. The UK is also a leader in attracting international R&D investment, with the second highest number of R&D inward investment projects in Europe. We are backing high-growth firms through reforms to the British Business Bank and pensions to unlock £80 billion of investment. Our generous R&D tax relief rates are projected to support £56 billion of business R&D expenditure annually by 2029-30.
Innovation and Technology, for what reason the remaining provisions of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 have not been implemented; and what steps he is taking to implement these provisions.
The Government is committed to implementing all remaining provisions of the Product Security and Telecommunications Act 2022 as soon as possible. These measures will help deliver the benefits of advanced digital connectivity.Most provisions have already been implemented. Those remaining are complex and technical. The Department will bring forward a consultation on the implementation of sections 61 to 64, including transitional provisions, as soon as possible.
Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the impact of the delay in implementing the final provisions of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 on (a) mobile connectivity, (b) data poverty and (c) regional digital inclusion.
The Government is committed to implementing all remaining provisions of the Product Security and Telecommunications Act 2022 as soon as possible. These measures will help deliver the benefits of advanced digital connectivity.Most provisions have already been implemented. Those remaining are complex and technical. The Department will bring forward a consultation on the implementation of sections 61 to 64, including transitional provisions, as soon as possible.
Innovation and Technology, when he plans to implement sections (a) 61 to 65, (b) 67 and (c) 70 to 74 of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022.
The Government is committed to implementing all remaining provisions of the Product Security and Telecommunications Act 2022 as soon as possible. These measures will help deliver the benefits of advanced digital connectivity.Most provisions have already been implemented. Those remaining are complex and technical. The Department will bring forward a consultation on the implementation of sections 61 to 64, including transitional provisions, as soon as possible.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the (a) quality and (b) total area coverage area for (i) 5G and (ii) other wireless data reception in (A) Wokingham and (B) along intercity transport routes; and what steps he is taking to improve in 5G coverage in those areas.
Our ambition is for all populated areas to have higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030, and 95% 4G geographic coverage by the end of 2025. We are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework to support investment and competition, alongside improving mobile connectivity for rail passengers.Although I am conscious that reports of mobile coverage often do not accurately represent people’s lived experience and have written to Ofcom to urge them to review their reporting, they state that 98% of the Wokingham constituency area has 4G geographic coverage from all four mobile operators, and 93% of all roads have in-vehicle 4G coverage from all four operators. Also according to Ofcom, basic (non-standalone) 5G is available from at least one mobile operator outside 91% of premises. Ofcom does not currently publish data on 5G in-vehicle coverage, or coverage data for the rail network, but my own anecdotal experience suggests that 5G coverage along inter city routes is intermittent, poor and at times nonexistent.The Shared Rural Network programme will improve mobile connectivity on an additional 16,000 kilometres of roads across the UK.
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support the telecommunications industry in (a) Berkshire and (b) the UK.
This government is committed to supporting the telecommunications industry.We aim to deliver nationwide gigabit connectivity by 2030 and foster a competitive and business-friendly environment. Today, 85% of UK premises and over 90% of premises in Berkshire can access gigabit-capable networks. Our ambition is for all populated areas to have high-quality standalone 5G by 2030. We are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework to support investment and competition. We have invested £36 million to establish 5G Innovation Regions to drive adoption and investment.Up to £100 million in funding is being provided for future telecoms technologies.
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to support the life science industry in (a) Berkshire and (b) the UK.
The government has supported Lonza’s plans to relocate and expand their Centre of Excellence for biologic molecules to Thames Valley Park, Berkshire. More broadly the government has published Invest 2035: the UK’s modern industrial strategy to drive long-term sustainable, inclusive and secure growth – securing investment into crucial sectors of the economy including life sciences. By ensuring the NHS works hand-in-hand with life sciences companies and research institutions, we will drive the development of new treatments and help grow our industries across every region of the UK.