Written questions by Mierlo.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has assessed the potential merits of requiring providers of digital landline services to provide a battery back-up of greater than one hour duration for vulnerable and landline dependent customers.

The Government is committed to ensuring that any risks from the industry-led migration of the copper based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated for everyone across the UK.In November 2024, the Government secured additional safeguards from the telecoms industry. These include the provision of free battery back-ups for vulnerable and landline dependent customers to ensure access to emergency services go beyond one hour in a power outage. Many communication providers have gone further, providing battery back-ups of 4-7 hours. This includes Vodafone, BT, KCOM, and Zen Internet. Ofcom, the telecoms regulator, are responsible for setting minimum standards.In March 2026, the Government and industry agreed a new Fixed Telecoms Charter to extend these safeguards to all future fixed telecoms modernisation programmes.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the change in the quality of service for customers moved from analogue to digital landline services, including the clarity and audibility of phone services and the unexpected disconnection of calls.

The analogue Public Switched Telephone Network’s (PSTN) replacement technology is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Ofcom have confirmed that VoIP technology enables communication providers to offer consumers and businesses clearer and better-quality phone calls and additional features. VoIP can also be used to block scam calls (BT Digital Voice blocks over 17,000 scam calls every day).Ofcom, the independent regulator, is responsible for assessing VoIP services, and has done so since the early 2000’s. Whilst Ofcom are responsible for regulating communication providers, the Government has acted to ensure consumers are protected during the upgrade. In March 2026, major communication providers and network operators signed the Fixed Telecoms Modernisation Charter to enhance protections for customers during any telecoms modernisation, including the PSTN migration to VoIP.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to improve media literacy.

The Government is taking a cross‑government approach to improving media literacy, as set out in ‘A Safe, Informed Digital Nation’, published on 16 March. This includes strengthening coordination across policy areas and working with civil society and industry to help people build the skills, confidence and critical thinking needed to navigate the online world safely and effectively. This includes initiatives such as the ‘You Won’t Know Until You Ask’ campaign, which encourages people to pause and question online content, alongside trusted guidance on the new Kids Online Safety Hub and funding innovative projects through the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that Ofcom is adequately resourced to (a) monitor and (b) regulate the algorithms of online platforms.

Ofcom’s online safety budget and expert team ensure its duties are performed effectively. Ofcom has spent approximately £281.3 million on online safety since 2020, including a projected spend of £92 million for 2025/26.As part of its information gathering powers, Ofcom can remotely view information about a service’s processes, including conducting tests of algorithmic systems. Ofcom also has the power to seek information from categorised services about the design and operation of their algorithms in annual transparency reports.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Information Commissioner's Office is adequately resourced to carry out digital age enforcement cases against tech companies.

The government increased the data protection fee in 2025 to provide the ICO with the necessary resources to carry out its functions effectively. As an independent regulator it is at the discretion of the Commissioner how he chooses to use this funding to effectively enforce the digital age of consent under UK GDPR. To fulfil these responsibilities and respond to rising public and business demand, the ICO has hired additional specialist capacity.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions has she had with Ofcom and the Information Commissioner's Office on the adequacy of protections relating to (a) generative AI and (b) chatbots in the Online Safety Act 2023.

Following public consultation, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) issued and updated guidance on how data protection law applies to generative AI. The Government supports the ICO’s role in providing guidance to organisations to help their compliance.While some AI chatbots are covered by the Online Safety Act, this Government is determined to close loopholes and has tabled an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to protect users from illegal content on chatbots.The Department will continue to meet regularly with Ofcom, the ICO and industry, to address emerging risks and uphold strong online safety protections.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the suitability of (a) live location sharing and (b) addictive content features such as autopay for social media apps used by children.

The Online Safety Act requires services to mitigate and manage risks to children from online features and functionalities. Ofcom recommends in its Codes of Practice that services with specific risks should turn off live location sharing for children as default. Services must also consider how specific features and functionalities, such as autoplay, can increase children’s exposure to illegal or harmful content and mitigate these risks. Additionally, our landmark consultation launched earlier this month seeks views on whether the government should further restrict risky functionalities such as location sharing, and ‘addictive’ functionalities including autoplay, to further protect children online.

Innovation and Technology, what proportion of UKRI and other research council funding was spent on (a) dementia, (b) cancer, (c) stroke and (d) coronary heart disease research in each year between 2019 and 2025.

The Medical Research Council (MRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), supports world‑leading research to accelerate diagnosis, develop treatments and prevent disease.Details of funding from MRC, as well as other research councils within UKRI, on specific areas is provided in the table below: 2019/202020/212021/222022/232023/242024/25 Total(a)Dementia* MRC£44m£54m£50m£56m£65m£56m£334mRest of UKRI £29m£30m£31m£32m£23m£145mTotal£44m£83m£81m£87m£97m£88m£479m (b)Cancer MRC£68m£70m£71m£106m£73m£74m£462mRest of UKRI£61m£81m£69m£128m£143m£125m£607mTotal£129m£151m£140m£234m£216m£199m£1069m (c)Stoke MRC£47m£9m£21m£10m£15m£20m£121mRest of UKRI£6m£30m£12m£31m£50m£30m£148mTotal£53m£39m£33m£41m£65m£50m£269m (d) Coronary heart disease MRC£73m£18m£29m£44m£32m£64m£260mRest of UKRI£23m£24m£25m£49m£84m£55m£260mTotal£96m£42m£54m£93m£116m£119m£520m *'Rest of UKRI' spend figure for 2019/20 is unavailable. For 2024/25, ‘Rest of UKRI’ figure does not include funding from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of (a) the feasibility of the 31 August 2026 deadline for new voucher project submissions under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, and (b) what consideration has been given to extending that deadline to enable additional premises to benefit from gigabit capable broadband.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) undertook a consultation with broadband suppliers at the end of 2025 on their interest and capability for further broadband delivery, and carried out a further update to this consultation in February 2026 to take account of the coverage reported by suppliers in the September 2025 Project Gigabit Open Market Review. BDUK officials are now undertaking further engagement with suppliers on proposals for specific voucher projects. Suppliers are aware of the timetable for the remainder of the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme and are developing proposals for any further projects accordingly.BDUK has not proposed extending the timetable for the voucher scheme beyond the current scheme end dates as the costs of continuing to run the scheme after this likely to be disproportionate to the benefits gained from any further projects. Most of the gigabit coverage now being provided through Project Gigabit is as a result of Project Gigabit contracts rather than voucher projects. This proportion will increase further as the volume of voucher-funded delivery continues to decline.The August 2026 deadline for project submissions will give a cut-off point after which the remaining premises not within the scope of commercial coverage plans or voucher projects will be considered for coverage through Project Gigabit contracts. This will help give certainty to the Project Gigabit contracted suppliers of the remaining premises that need to be covered and allow them to plan for delivery between then and the end of the Project Gigabit programme in 2032.

Innovation and Technology, what steps the Department is taking to limit exposure of children to harmful content on a) self harm and b) eating disorders through social media algorithms.

The Online Safety Act requires services, including social media, to protect children from illegal, harmful, and age-inappropriate content.In scope services that are likely to be accessed by children must use highly effective age assurance to prevent children from encountering the most harmful types of content, such as content that encourages, promotes or provides instructions for self-harm and eating disorders.The Act requires services to consider, as part of their risk assessments, how algorithms could impact children’s exposure to illegal content and content which is harmful to children on their service.Ofcom can take robust enforcement action against services failing to comply with their duties.

Innovation and Technology, what steps the department is taking to ensure the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023 does not inappropriately impact on individual rights to privacy.

The right to privacy is central to our online safety work. The Online Safety Act has cross-cutting duties to ensure that users’ rights and privacy are protected. All providers are required to give particular regard to the importance of protecting users’ rights when implementing measures to comply with their new safety duties.As the independent regulator of the Online Safety Act, Ofcom may refer matters to the Information Commissioners Office if it has concerns that a provider has not complied with its obligations under data protection law.

Innovation and Technology, what steps the department is taking to ensure that age verification measures implemented by social media apps such as snapchat in response to the Online Safety Act 2023 are effective.

As the regulator, Ofcom is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Online Safety Act. Ofcom has set out in guidance that age assurance technologies should fulfil the four criteria of technical accuracy, robustness, reliability, and fairness to be considered highly effective.Ofcom is set to publish reports on age assurance and the use of app stores by children by July 2026 and January 2027 respectively. The public consultation on protecting children online will also seek views on strengthening age assurance measures. Where evidence demonstrates further action is necessary to protect children online, we will not hesitate to act.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Online Safety Act 2023, how the department is ensuring that the voices of children are considered in the implementation of the Act, to help ensure that their concerns and experiences are heard and acted on.

On 2 March, the government launched a landmark consultation on how to give young people the childhood they deserve in an online world. Alongside the formal consultation, we have launched a child and parent-friendly version, ensuring these important voices are properly heard.As part of the National Conversation running alongside the consultation, we will be hosting events across the UK to hear directly from young people. Families, young people, and communities from all over the UK are encouraged to discuss this vital topic in community events, MP-led local conversations, and engagement through schools and civil society organisations.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had conversations with broadband providers on the suitability of deadlines for new applications to the gigabit broadband voucher scheme in Oxfordshire.

Officials from Building Digital UK (BDUK) are currently in discussions with broadband suppliers in Oxfordshire on potential voucher project opportunities. Suppliers are aware of the deadline for project applications and are developing project proposals taking this into account.

Innovation and Technology, what the (a) current planned deadlines are for new applications to the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, and (b) whether any changes to those deadlines are under consideration.

The Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS) will come to an end on 31 March 2028. The following deadlines will apply to meet this closure date:31 August 2026 – New voucher project submissions.31 March 2027 – Vouchers issued. Vouchers requested but not validated and issued by 31 March 2027 will be cancelled.31 March 2028 – Voucher claims submitted.These dates remain subject to change in advance of the March 2028 GBVS closure, in line with the GBVS Supplier Terms and Conditions.Building Digital UK (BDUK) is willing to consider any further proposals for voucher projects from suppliers that can be delivered within the remaining timetable for the scheme. The voucher scheme is just one part of Project Gigabit, and BDUK will aim to cover as many as possible of the remaining non-gigabit premises through the Project Gigabit contracts.

Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to help ensure that UK universities remain competitive in attracting global research talent.

To keep our world-leading universities globally competitive, the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper sets out a joint DfE–DSIT vision for a financially sustainable higher education sector that delivers better value for students, supports local growth, and meets labour market needs. This includes record DSIT R&D investment of £58.5 billion between 2026/27 and 2029/30.The UK’s immigration offer attracts research talent through visa routes such as the fast-track Global Talent visa, complemented by funding via UKRI and National Academies fellowships and professorships, our association to Horizon Europe, and the Global Talent Fund to retain world-class researchers.UKRI allows visa costs, including the Immigration Health Surcharge, to be claimed on grants, and many other organisations also allow these costs on their grants. Visa costs are also allowable costs for researchers on Horizon Europe grants.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2025 to Question 91728 on Broadband: Henley and Thame, what spending she plans between the end of the current contract period for South Oxfordshire delivery of Project Gigabit in 2026 and the end of the spending review period in 2030.

Building Digital UK (BDUK) is working with suppliers to review future Project Gigabit delivery plans across the UK including in Oxfordshire. Further Project Gigabit procurements will be undertaken to complete the remaining delivery necessary to achieve nationwide coverage by 2032. This will be taken forward using the funding that is already available through the 2025 Spending Review, and any further funding that is made available through future Spending Reviews.At the 2025 Spending Review, £1.8 billion of funding was allocated for Project Gigabit from 2026/27 to 2029/30, enabling delivery of existing contracts, the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, and ongoing procurements with the Devolved Administrations. This is in addition to almost £1 billion of funding which will have been spent on Project Gigabit by March 2026.Commercial delivery in a competitive market has and will remain essential to the delivery of the overall gigabit broadband ambition, as most gigabit-capable connections will be delivered commercially. DSIT will continue to work in partnership with industry as it develops its ongoing commercial delivery plans. This includes removing barriers to delivery and working with Ofcom to maintain a stable pro-competition regulatory environment to support private investment.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2025 to Question 91728 on Broadband: Henley and Thame, how much funding is required to meet the 99% goal.

Commercial delivery in a competitive market has and will remain essential to the delivery of the overall gigabit broadband ambition, as most gigabit-capable connections will be delivered commercially.At the most recent Spending Review we announced £1.8 billion in funding for Project Gigabit to cover the period 2026/27 to 2029/30.This investment will support the delivery of all existing Project Gigabit contracts, voucher projects and areas currently in procurement. This includes the South Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and East Berkshire contracts referenced in the response to Question 91728.We are refreshing our delivery plans ahead of the 2027 Spending Review and will continue to apply Project Gigabit subsidy in areas that are not expected to be reached commercially.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 20 November 2025 to Question 91728 on Broadband: Henley and Thame, what steps her Department is taking to secure additional funding to complete that project.

Commercial delivery in a competitive market has and will remain essential to the delivery of the overall gigabit broadband ambition, as most gigabit-capable connections will be delivered commercially.At the most recent Spending Review we announced £1.8 billion in funding for Project Gigabit to cover the period 2026/27 to 2029/30.This investment will support the delivery of all existing Project Gigabit contracts, voucher projects and areas currently in procurement. This includes the South Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and East Berkshire contracts referenced in the response to Question 91728.We are refreshing our delivery plans ahead of the 2027 Spending Review and will continue to apply Project Gigabit subsidy in areas that are not expected to be reached commercially.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme will be reintroduced in Henley and Thame constituency.

Our priority currently is to provide gigabit-capable coverage to as many premises as possible in Henley and Thame constituency through our Project Gigabit contracts, rather than through other schemes.Project Gigabit contracts give better certainty of delivery than voucher projects, and also involve lower administrative overhead for suppliers and communities as well as the government. Future delivery is therefore much more likely to be through contracts rather than voucher delivery in most areas.We will continue to monitor progress and review the need for further support as delivery continues. If gaps in coverage are identified, further interventions, including reopening the voucher scheme, may be considered.