Written questions by Wood.

Innovation and Technology pursuant to the answer of 20 November 2025 to Question 88695, on Government Departments: Mobile Phones, whether there is any guidance given to public bodies on creating new apps.

The Service Manual sets out guidance for public servants on designing and delivering digital services, including making sure services work well with mobile technology, technology use more broadly, and understanding users before designing around their needs. The guidance makes clear that native mobile apps should only be considered when there are clear and evidenced needs that a responsive website cannot meet. It also states that if any users can not access the required features then a web based alternative should also be available.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2025 to Question 88696, if he will publish he business case for the rainbow pins.

Pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2025 we are not be publishing the business case for rainbow pins. To confirm the business case was reviewed in line with Government Guidance, declined, and no public money was spent.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 to Question 88700 on Civil Service: Equality, whether the civil servants attended the humanists convention using staff time or annual leave.

Pursuant to the answer of 19 November 2025 the Civil Servant who attended the Humanist Convention did so in working time.

Innovation and Technology, further to the Cabinet Office publication, Monthly Average HQ Building Occupancy (Quarter 2: July to September 2025), published on 1 December 2025, what were the numeric figures for the (a) Monthly total number of employees in the HQ building and (b) monthly capacity of the HQ building in each of those months for 22 Whitehall.

The numeric figures for July to September 2025 are: Jul 2025Aug 2025Sep 2025(a) Monthly total number of employees in the HQ building9953940311,302(b) Monthly capacity of the HQ building in each of those months for 22 Whitehall997589259350The figures include the adjoining building 26 Whitehall, which was gradually opened and occupied in phases across July, August and September. From October onwards, capacity figures include 26 Whitehall. Monthly totals also include colleagues using meeting rooms and other shared building facilities, which are not included in capacity figures.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2025, to Question 90732, on DSIT: Remote Working, whether the 40% office attendance policy for departmental staff is a target of (a) those staff being in their assigned office for 40% of the working week or (b) 40% of the desks in that office being occupied over the working week.

The 40% office attendance policy for departmental staff referred to in the answer I gave the Hon. Member on 28 November 2025 to Question 90732, is for staff being in their assigned office for 40% of the working week.The Department’s office attendance (Hybrid Working) policy states that as the norm, employees are expected to spend, when calculated over a 4-week period, 40-60% of their working hours in the office. Time spent training at a different location, on visits to off-site or other work locations, where there is an official reason to attend that location, will count in the same way as time spent in a staff member’s normal office. The remaining time can either be spent working in the office, working from home in the UK, or a combination of the two.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2025, to Question 88707, on Research: Finance, what estimate he has made of the (a) monetary and (b) regulatory cost of the inclusion of equality, diversity and inclusion targets in publicly funded research.

The Government does not hold an estimate of any monetary or regulatory cost because it does not set equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) targets in publicly funded research. EDI considerations form part of existing research funding assurance and governance processes, and no additional reporting burdens or dedicated compliance mechanisms have been introduced beyond those already in place. Rather than mandating specific EDI targets, the Government expects research organisations to foster fair and inclusive environments that support excellence, in line with established funding terms and conditions.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 18 November 2025, to Question 88698, on DSIT: Disinformation, what specific facility or service does the contract with (a) Total Global Strategy Network and (b) Faculty Science Limit provide.

The Global Strategy Network provides mis‑ and disinformation monitoring analysis narratives from publicly available online information concerning public safety or national security risks to the UK. Faculty Science provides software development for the Counter‑Disinformation Data Platform (CDDP).

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 23 September 2025, to Question 70484, on Government Departments: Training, what role the Director General for Digital Centre Design played in (a) the design and specification of Project 7114, (b) recommending the use of Bloom Procurement Services Ltd as the route to market, and (c) compiling or approving the list of suppliers directly nominated to bid for the contract through Bloom.

The interim Director General for Digital Centre Design, now interim Director General for Digital Transformation, has had no involvement in the design and specification of Project 7114 or in any procurement decisions related to the Cabinet Office Test Learn and Grow Programme.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 24 November 2025 to Question 88708 on Electronic Government, on what date was the current internal Data Protection Impact Assessment completed.

A Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) was completed for GOV.UK One Login in 2023. This was reviewed and updated in 2025 and is planned for publication this year.

Innovation and Technology, whether this Department uses the Global Disinformation Index service.

DSIT does not use Global Disinformation Index service

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland regarding the Technology Prosperity Deal, published on 18 September 2025, what is the current legal status of the US-UK tech prosperity deal.

The US-UK Technology Prosperity Deal was signed as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which does not constitute or create any legally binding obligations. The MoU represents a political and policy-level understanding between the two governments.

Innovation and Technology, whether the National Cyber Security Centre has made an assessment of the adequacy of information security of the One Login system since July 2024.

GOV.UK One Login works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which provides advice to the programme on a range of cyber security topics.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 10 October 2025 to Question 76804 on DSIT: Social Media, what campaigns or topics social media influencers paid for by her Department have been promoted.

The Department for Science Innovation and Technology has only spent money on social media influencers for reasonable expenses such as travel.We have worked with social media influencers to drive public awareness on the following topics; how the government is putting AI to work in healthcare; work to tackle digital exclusion; the National Underground Asset Register; and products launched by the Government Digital Service to improve access to public services for citizens.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 82664 on Disinformation, whether the software has been used to monitor comment relating to (a) gender criticism, (b) asylum hotels and (c) national flags being placed on lampposts.

No. This software is used to analyse mis and disinformation narratives from publicly available information online. It is only used to analyse narratives that pose a risk to UK national security or public safety.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 10 October 2025, to Question 71941, on DSIT: Remote Working, and of 10 October 2025, to Question 71222, on Civil Service: Recruitment, for what reason staff in her Department are subject to a 40% workplace attendance policy instead of the 60% minimum agreed by Heads of Department in October 2024.

DSIT’s hybrid working policy requires employees to spend between 40% to 60% of their working hours in the office as the norm (with a minimum of 40%). DSIT allows some limited flexibility for minimum office attendance to reflect the size of the available office estate.

Innovation and Technology, what is his Department’s definition of disinformation is.

The UK government defines disinformation as the deliberate creation and spreading of false and/or manipulated information that is intended to deceive and mislead people, either for the purposes of causing harm, or for political, personal or financial gain. Misinformation is the inadvertent spread of false information.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 22 July 2025 to Question 68774 on Civil Service: Equality, how attendance at the Humanists Convention engages his Department’s remit and responsibilities.

The Civil Service People Plan 2024-27 sets the standard for inclusive workplaces where people achieve their full potential. We want the Civil Service and the department to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. This includes diversity of faith and belief.

Innovation and Technology, what the salary is of the Director General for Digital Centre Design.

The salary of the Director General for Digital Centre Design is published in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s transparency data, which is available on data.gov.uk. The published salary range for this role is £150,000 to £154,999. This information is part of the Department’s regular transparency reporting and is publicly accessible.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Director General for Digital Centre Design has been involved in procurement decisions in her role as a member of the programme board for Test, Learn and Grow.

Emily Middleton has had no involvement in procurement decisions related to the Cabinet Office Test Learn and Grow Programme. Ms Middleton was invited to join the programme board in February 2025, alongside representatives of other departments. This was in her capacity as Director General for Digital Centre Design. Ms Middleton has not attended any of the board meetings, and has delegated attendance to other officials within DSIT.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May 2025 to Question 50225 on Government Digital Service: Gender and Sex, whether any (a) diversity staff network and (b) external organisation advised the Government Digital Service on the Design System Guidance.

No diversity staff networks advised GDS in developing the Design System guidance. GOV.UK Design System guidance has been iterated with input from specialists external to the Government Digital Service, including the Government Statistical Service and the Equality and Human Rights Commission.