Written questions by Foy.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help improve mobile telephone signal in (a) Brancepeth Village, (b) County Durham and (c)) across the country.

Ofcom reports that 4G is available across 96% of the City of Durham constituency from all four mobile operators, while 5G (standalone and non-standalone) is available outside 94% of premises in the constituency from at least one operator.However, I know Ofcom data does not always reflect lived experience and I have raised my concern about this with Ofcom. I welcome their much improved online mobile coverage checker which went live on 26 June.I am keen to strengthen the mobile infrastructure across the UK, which is primarily the responsibility of the mobile operators, so I would urge the honourable member to engage directly with the mobile operators to encourage improvements in her patch.We continue to work closely with the mobile operators and are committed to ensuring we have the right policy and regulatory framework in place to support investment into mobile networks and competition in the market.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of levels of research funding in the higher education sector.

Total government investment in research and development will amount to £20.4 billion in 2025-26, protecting the highest levels of public investment in the sector. UKRI has been allocated £8.8 billion, of which £6 billion has been allocated through research council R&D budgets. This includes £2.4 billion through Research England for strategic institutional research funding for higher education providers.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department plans to take to engage with chemical engineers on ensuring the future of chemical engineering is sustainable.

The government is committed to transitioning to a circular economy and has convened a Circular Economy Taskforce of experts to develop a Circular Economy Strategy for England. ‘Chemicals and plastics’ is one of the five priority sectors, and the Taskforce are extensively engaging with industry leaders and other key stakeholders within the sector. Through UK Research and Innovation, the government is also supporting chemical engineers through schemes such as the £22 million Sustainable Chemicals and Materials Manufacturing hub and a £4.6 million Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Chemical Technologies, training new leaders in sustainable chemical technologies.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answers of 6 March 2025 to Question 36136 on Geothermal Power: County Durham and to Question 36137 on Data Centres: Energy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing funding for AI hubs in County Durham by using geothermal energy production.

The Government recognises the importance of continued innovation and improvements in the efficiency of AI.AI Growth Zones will help shift energy demand to areas with more capacity, reducing pressure on congested parts of the grid. DSIT are working closely with DESNZ and the National Energy System Operator to align AI energy demand with future energy planning and ensure long-term sustainability.Through the AI Energy Council, we will also build on this progress by exploring bold, clean energy solutions to ensure our AI ambitions align with the UK’s net zero goals.UK government and local authorities will actively seek to secure the best deal possible for local communities where AI Growth Zones are allocated.

Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to encourage social media and search platforms to exceed the requirements of the Online Safety Act 2023 in reducing access to harmful suicide and self-harm content.

The government engages regularly with social media and search services and is clear that they should be taking action now to make their services safe for users.Under the Online Safety Act, in-scope services must prevent all users from encountering illegal suicide and self-harm content, and children from legal content which encourages, promotes or provides instructions for suicide and self-harm.The government are committed to continuing to engage with those with lived experience and keeping online safety policy under review and will take whatever steps are needed to protect the public.

Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with Ofcom on progress by the Small but Risky taskforce on tackling the risk posed by dangerous online platforms.

The Online Safety Act’s illegal content and, where relevant, child safety duties, will apply to services of all sizes. In September 2024, a public exchange of letters between the Secretary of State and Ofcom CEO outlined information about the taskforce: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/about-ofcom/public-correspondence/2024/letter-from-dame-melanie-dawes-to-the-secretary-of-state-11-september-2024.pdf?v=380026. The taskforce is developing and delivering a workplan focusing on high priority themes such as terror, hate and offences against women and girls. Should small but risky services choose not to engage and there is evidence of non-compliance, Ofcom will undertake enforcement action.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has plans to consult people with lived experience of self-harm and suicide on the implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023.

The government engages regularly with social media and search services and is clear that they should be taking action now to make their services safe for users.Under the Online Safety Act, in-scope services must prevent all users from encountering illegal suicide and self-harm content, and children from legal content which encourages, promotes or provides instructions for suicide and self-harm.The government are committed to continuing to engage with those with lived experience and keeping online safety policy under review and will take whatever steps are needed to protect the public.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to tackle the risk posed by small high-risk online platforms.

The Online Safety Act’s illegal content and, where relevant, child safety duties, will apply to services of all sizes. In September 2024, a public exchange of letters between the Secretary of State and Ofcom CEO outlined information about the taskforce: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/about-ofcom/public-correspondence/2024/letter-from-dame-melanie-dawes-to-the-secretary-of-state-11-september-2024.pdf?v=380026. The taskforce is developing and delivering a workplan focusing on high priority themes such as terror, hate and offences against women and girls. Should small but risky services choose not to engage and there is evidence of non-compliance, Ofcom will undertake enforcement action.