Written questions by Freeman.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether it is his policy to align gene-editing legislation with the European Union.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The Government is introducing legislation to enact the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 for plants and food and feed before the end of March. The European Commission has published a proposal that is similar in aim to the Precision Breeding Act. The department is monitoring progress on the EU’s regulatory proposal closely and engaging with the European Commission when appropriate. Officials have met with EU counterparts several times to discuss England’s approach to precision breeding and the EU’s proposal on new genomic techniques, including through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Committee and through the UK-EU Joint Consultative Working Group Agri-food structured group.

Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to fully enact the provisions of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The Secretary of State has recently announced that the secondary legislation necessary to implement the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 for plants and derived food and feed in England will be laid by the end of March. Policy development for the implementation of the Act for animals is ongoing.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has discussed the UK’s gene-editing legislation with his counterparts in the European Union.

This is a devolved matter, and the information provided therefore relates to England only. The Government is introducing legislation to enact the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023 for plants and food and feed before the end of March. The European Commission has published a proposal that is similar in aim to the Precision Breeding Act. The department is monitoring progress on the EU’s regulatory proposal closely and engaging with the European Commission when appropriate. Officials have met with EU counterparts several times to discuss England’s approach to precision breeding and the EU’s proposal on new genomic techniques, including through the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Committee and through the UK-EU Joint Consultative Working Group Agri-food structured group.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to paragraph 3.68 of the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, what steps he plans to take to monitor the potential impact of the £20.4 billion R&D investment on economic and R&D business growth; and how much of that funding he plans to allocate to each (a) sector and (b) research and innovation cluster.

R&D is fundamental to achieving the government’s mission of kickstarting economic growth. DSIT regularly monitors economic and R&D business growth indicators and requires monitoring and evaluation to be undertaken as a condition of its funding. At the Autumn Budget, DSIT was allocated £13.9bn for R&D in 2025/26. The Secretary of State will announce further details of how this funding will be allocated in due course.

What plans he has for the data collected by the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measurement and Modelling Advancement (GEMMA) programme; and if he will make it his policy to integrate that data into greenhouse gas emissions statistics.

The Government monitors and verifies greenhouse gas emissions using measurement data collected through a network of sensors across the country. The Department is working closely with the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measurement and Modelling Advancement (GEMMA) programme to consider how measurements from this programme could be incorporated into its greenhouse gas inventory verification programme database.

Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for the future of the Geospatial Commission's Earth observation data pilot.

The Earth Observation data pilot came to an end in 31 March 2024. Working with optical, thermal and SAR data from space satellites, the pilot demonstrated that increased use of this data could improve evidence-based analysis and enhance front-line delivery in the public sector to support the provision of digital government services for citizens. The work will inform decisions on the procurement, accessibility and use of earth observation across the public sector.

What plans he has for the use of Earth observation data; and whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of using it to support the (a) measurement, (b) monitoring and (c) setting of UK net zero emissions targets.

The Government monitors and verifies greenhouse gas emissions using measurement data collected through a network of sensors across the country. The UK is one of only four countries in the world currently reporting the validation of greenhouse gas emissions based on Earth Observation measurements. The Department regularly considers developments in Earth Observation technology and their potential application through a dedicated Inventory Improvement Programme.

Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for the UK Space Agency's methane monitoring programme.

The UK Space Agency is increasing engagement with private, academic and public sectors to improve methane monitoring and address gaps.As Chair of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, we will promote a new framework, developed by the National Physical Laboratory and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to validate data providers' products to ensure reliability. It will provide new best practice for measuring from space facility-scale methane emissions.The UK Space Agency will promote the framework internationally, collaborating with other nations and industry to ensure these best practices are recognised as an approved measurement methodology within the Global Methane Pledge.

If he will have discussions with the (a) UK Space Agency and (b) Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on using UK Earth Observation data for greenhouse gas emissions tracking.

The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero engages with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and the UK Space Agency through the National Space Council, where Government’s direction for space policy and strategy is decided. These departments also engage at Official level through the National Space Board. The UK is one of only four countries in the world that uses an independent system of Earth Observation measurements to supplement its greenhouse gas inventory and the first to do so.

Innovation and Technology, what plans he has for future (a) funding of and (b) data sharing by the Earth observation data hub.

The Earth Observation (EO) data hub project is a pathfinder project which will assess whether a new infrastructure for EO data could deliver better access to and exploitation of EO data by federating EO data assets from public and commercial centres in a quality-assured environment and by creating a platform for analysis and value add.The project was funded through the Earth observation investment package until 31st March 2025.Decisions on any longer-term funding for EO data infrastructure will be made in due course.

Innovation and Technology, what plans he has as chair of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites to support development of methane emissions measurement best practices.

The UK Space Agency is increasing engagement with private, academic and public sectors to improve methane monitoring and address gaps.As Chair of the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, we will promote a new framework, developed by the National Physical Laboratory and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to validate data providers' products to ensure reliability. It will provide new best practice for measuring from space facility-scale methane emissions.The UK Space Agency will promote the framework internationally, collaborating with other nations and industry to ensure these best practices are recognised as an approved measurement methodology within the Global Methane Pledge.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to use earth observation data to help support the (a) measurement, (b) monitoring and (c) setting of (i) agricultural, (ii) landfill and (iii) land use contributions to the UK's net zero emissions targets.

Remote sensing technologies have increasing potential to provide cost-effective solutions for monitoring land use changes, gas leaks, and population density. Defra is examining the feasibility of employing Earth observation techniques for the monitoring and measurement of point source greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture, landfills, and other land uses. We will continue to follow advances in this technology and investigate opportunities for its deployment, including via satellite-based Earth observation, and other remote sensing technologies such as drones and handheld equipment, which are crucial for ground truthing and establishing baseline measurements.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to continue investment in national space data activities.

Yes. The Government is investing significantly to support this element of space activity in the UK, with over £310 million of funding already committed through the European Space Agency, and a further £390 million through our membership in the EU’s Copernicus programme over the coming 3 years. Further investment decisions are a matter for the upcoming spending review.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to measure the private sector investment in the research and development economy by (a) sector, (b) cluster and (c) departmental spend.

The Office for National Statistics routinely publishes official statistics on Gross Expenditure on R&D (GERD), Business Expenditure on R&D (BERD), and Research and development expenditure by the UK government. These publications include various levels of breakdowns, including by sector and government department. The Innovation Clusters Map published by DSIT in 2024 presents firm-level innovation activity across the UK, including public and private investment, allowing users to explore clusters to better understand the UK’s innovation ecosystem.