Every parliamentary written question tabled by Graham Leadbitter this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–15 of 15 · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Innovation and Technology, if she will include Scotland in her department’s consultation entitled “Legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats”.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 30th January 2026 to question UIN 107897.
Innovation and Technology, if she will review the adequacy her policy of not including Scotland for participation in her Department’s consultation titled Legislative proposals to address broadband rollout in leasehold flats.
The proposals in the consultation are based on leasehold law which is applicable in England and Wales but does not apply in Scotland.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the joint publication by the AI Security Institute and Thorn entitled Recommended Practice for AI-G CSEA Prevention, published in December 2025, if she will make the recommendations mandatory for all AI developers to prevent the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
The Government recognises the importance of tackling AI-generated CSAM. Creating, possessing, or distributing CSAM, including AI Generated CSAM, is illegal. The Online Safety Act requires services to proactively identify and remove this content. We are taking further action in the Crime and Policing Bill to criminalise CSAM image generators, and to ensure AI developers can directly test for and address vulnerabilities in their models which enable the production of CSAM.The AISI / Thorn joint publication guidance (Recommended Practice for AI-G CSEA Prevention) sets out practical steps that AI developers, model hosting services and others in the AI ecosystem can take to reduce the risk that their systems are misused to generate CSAM. This guidance is informed by input from industry and child protection organisations, and many of the world’s leading AI developers (including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and Meta) have signed up to the principles of earlier forms of this guidance.The Government is clear: no option is off the table when it comes to protecting the online safety of users in the UK, and we will not hesitate to act where evidence suggests that further action is necessary.
Innovation and Technology, whether the Digital ID scheme will use NHS data.
The credential will be able to display and/or share name, date of birth, information on nationality or residency status, and a photo (as the basis for biometric security). This is similar to documents like passports and eVisas. The consultation will explore whether it would be helpful for users if additional information, like address, should be captured. We have no plans to include NHS data in the credential.
Innovation and Technology, what estimate her Department has made of anticipated (a) maximum and (b) minimum potential costs of (i) setting up and (ii) running a digital ID scheme.
The Government will launch a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year. The eventual total cost and savings will depend on the design, build and delivery of the system, matters which will be included in the consultation.
Innovation and Technology, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to ensure there will be no reduction in the (a) quality and (b) reliability of public services for those without possession of a digital ID.
Digital inclusion is central to our thinking on this. The Government will deliver a comprehensive inclusion programme to help ensure everyone eligible is able to access the new digital ID. This will include targeted support for both people and businesses who may struggle to access or engage with digital services or devices.The Government will launch a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year, setting out the proposed approach in more detail and seeking views on this. This will include the proposed approach to inclusion.The Government will work closely with expert stakeholders to make the programme as effective and inclusive as possible.No one will see a reduction in accessibility to public services as a result of these plans; indeed, accessing public services should become much easier for people instead.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential effectiveness of the proposed Digital ID scheme in locations without consistent internet access; and what steps she is planning to take to support businesses operating in these locations.
Digital inclusion is central to our thinking on this. The Government will deliver a comprehensive inclusion programme to help ensure everyone eligible is able to access the new digital ID. This will include targeted support for both people and businesses who may struggle to access or engage with digital services or devices.The Government will launch a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year, setting out the proposed approach in more detail and seeking views on this. This will include the proposed approach to inclusion.The Government will work closely with expert stakeholders to make the programme as effective and inclusive as possible.No one will see a reduction in accessibility to public services as a result of these plans; indeed, accessing public services should become much easier for people instead.
Innovation and Technology, whether the Digital ID will be accepted as proof of identification.
The Government has announced plans for a new national digital ID for all UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over. Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks using the new digital credential by the end of this parliament.Through the consultation, the Government will be exploring the other circumstances in which it could be a choice for people to use this digital ID as proof of identification to make people’s lives less frustrating by giving them easier and more secure access to services. These could include things like getting support into work, accessing free childcare hours, checking free school meals, using financial services, buying a house, or buying alcohol.
Innovation and Technology, whether the proposed digital ID would be accepted as identification to vote in general elections.
Once the new digital credential is available, the Government intends to add it to the list of acceptable forms of ID for use in voting in elections. It will not be required for voting, however, as other forms of ID will still be available. We will confirm the details of this closer to the launch of the new digital credential once further development has been completed.
Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2025 to Question 64258 on Companies House: Proof of Identity, what the cost to the public purse is for (a) the Government's verification service and (b) third-party verification services since the Companies House identity verification system was established.
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State gave on 4th July 2025 to Question 64258.GOV.UK One Login’s total budget to onboard all central government services for the three years from 2022/23 to 2024/25 was £305.4 million, and is currently undergoing HMT approvals for a new Business Case which will run until 2027/28.GOV.UK One Login works with third-party providers to help verify a user’s identity. These costs are included in the programme budget.Companies House provides an alternative IDV route via Authorised Corporate Service Providers.
Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to improve the availability of cellular networks in rural areas.
The government wants all areas of the UK to benefit from reliable, high quality mobile coverage. We continue to work with Ofcom to ensure that their coverage reporting is as accurate as possible to allow us to reliably and accurately identify underserved areas.4G geographic coverage from at least one mobile operator has now reached over 95% of the UK landmass, and we continue to work with the industry to deliver 4G mobile connectivity to places where there is either limited or no coverage.Our ambition is to go further, and for all populated areas, including rural communities, to have access to higher-quality standalone 5G by 2030. We continue to work closely with the mobile network operators and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment and competition in the market.
Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that people in rural areas have equal access to broadband services.
Project Gigabit is the government’s programme to roll out fast, reliable broadband to UK premises that are not included in suppliers' commercial plans. Over 35 contracts, with a combined value of over £2.3 billion, have already been signed to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to over 1 million premises, predominantly in rural areas.Last week we announced a £157 million contract with Openreach to deliver gigabit-capable broadband to up to 65,000 rural and hard-to-reach premises across Central, Northern and Western Scotland, including in the Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey constituency.
Innovation and Technology, what steps he has taken to encourage scientists to emigrate to the UK.
The UK offers one of the strongest science bases in the world, with world-leading universities and research institutions, with opportunities in growing areas like quantum and AI. The UK’s immigration offer enables talented scientists, researchers and innovators to come here through various fast-track visa routes, such as the Global Talent, High Potential Individual and Skilled Worker visas. Our Global Talent Network aims to grow our science and technology power by attracting top international science talent to pursue opportunities in the UK. The UK's association to Horizon Europe enables international researchers to come to UK research establishments and collaborate across Europe.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the transition to digital telecommunications infrastructure on (a) older and (b) vulnerable people in (i) Scotland and (ii) other areas where digital signal coverage is limited; and whether he is taking steps to ensure that telecoms providers implement enhanced safety measures for at-risk people before proceeding with the withdrawal of traditional landline services in 2027.
The Government is determined to ensure that any and all risks of the industry-led migration from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) are mitigated, for all customers across the UK.The Department has acknowledged that customers who may be considered vulnerable in the context of the digital switchover may require additional support. A definition of a vulnerable customers was published in November 2024. It includes those who are telecare users and those dependent on their landline. Any customer, including the elderly, can also self-identify as requiring additional support.Communication providers and network operators signed voluntary charters in December 2023 and March 2024, committing to protect vulnerable consumers during the PSTN migration. On 18 November 2024, the major communication providers agreed to adhere to further safeguards set out in the non-voluntary migrations checklist before restarting non-voluntary migration of customers.
Innovation and Technology, what estimate he has made of the number of people dying of suicide after engaging with suicide-related content online; and what steps he is taking to reduce those deaths.
DSIT is made aware when there has been an online-related death by suicide through Coroner’s ‘Reports to Prevent Future Deaths’ and has responded to nine reports in the past 12 months. The department is very concerned about the number of reports of deaths.Under the Online Safety Act, which is coming into effect in the coming months, all in-scope services must proactively prevent all users from encountering illegal suicide content, and children from encountering legal content which encourages, promotes or provides instructions for suicide.