Written questions by Wood.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Ofcom on the use of third-party providers to (a) assess, (b) index and (c) identify disinformation.

DSIT’s National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) leads the operational response to information threats, including disinformation, capable of posing a risk to UK public safety and national security. Information on contracts awarded by the department to third-party contractors to support this activity is available on GOV.UK.Details about Ministerial meetings are published quarterly on GOV.UK.

Innovation and Technology, what is the statutory basis of the work of the National Security and Online Information Team.

The National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) leads the department’s operational response to information threats which present a public safety or national security risk to UK audiences, working closely with other departments including the Home Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.The team's remit and work is kept under review by DSIT ministers who remain accountable to parliament, including regarding the work of the NSOIT.

Innovation and Technology, what data sources have been used to train the Parlex AI tool on forecasting parliamentary reactions; and whether a data privacy impact assessment has been produced.

The Parlex tool has not been trained as a new AI model, nor does it involve the development of a novel forecasting system. Instead, it is a search and analysis tool that enables users to research existing parliamentary records to support policy development and parliamentary handling.Parlex uses only publicly available parliamentary data, including Hansard transcripts, Parliamentary Questions, and Select Committee materials. All tools developed by the Incubator for AI, including Parlex, are assured in line with government guidelines, which include data protection assessments.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of (a) the cyber-security of services provided to the Government by Global Switch, (b) the potential implications of its Chinese ownership for national security and (c) the decision of the Australian Government to stop using the company.

We do not comment on specific national security cases or specific companies.Ensuring the security of UK data is a priority for the government. When the government procures any service, cybersecurity is a paramount requirement. Government departments conduct thorough cybersecurity checks on all suppliers before sharing data and continuously monitor their compliance with these requirements throughout the contract's duration. If there is evidence of threats to our data, including in relation to data centres, we will not hesitate to take the necessary action to protect our national security.We have taken decisive action to monitor, and mitigate, potential future threats to data centres. Last year this Government designated data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, putting them on a level footing with emergency services systems. We work closely with industry to understand risks and manage threats to the UK’s infrastructure.We do not comment on the security decisions of other governments.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the ContractFinder entry entitled Disinformation Analysis Software awarded to Storyzy, award date 1 July 2025, for what reasons does her Department use this software.

DSIT leads the operational response to information threats by analysing narratives and trends from publicly available information online, within its ministerially defined remit - public safety or national security risk to the UK.This does not include the monitoring of individuals.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has had discussions with (a) Larry Ellison and (b) Oracle on Digital ID Cards.

We are not talking to Larry Ellison or Oracle about digital ID.Throughout the development of the new digital ID, the Government will work closely with expert stakeholders, including civil society groups, technology companies and industry bodies to make it as effective and inclusive as possible.The Digital ID will be designed, built and run by government digital teams. Any additional specialist external services that may be needed to support delivery will be subject to the usual competitive processes.

Innovation and Technology, whether digital ID cards will have centralised logging and verification; and whether public bodies will have access to metadata logs.

The Government has announced plans for a new digital ID to be available to UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over. It will be designed with privacy at its core and will follow existing industry standards for security. This includes established standards for cyber security, counter-fraud and data storage.The new service will follow UK GDPR and privacy principles to only collect and store the minimum data required. The Government will start a public consultation on the new digital ID by the end of the year to further inform our approach.Following the Machinery of Government changes of 23/10/2025 policy responsibility now sits with the Cabinet Office.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the security of A2P messaging used for two-factor authentication by gov.uk websites.

Security is a key priority for all government services, alongside accessibility and inclusion (i.e. points 4, 5 and 9 of the Service Standard). There isn't a cross-government standard or mandate, as use of A2P depends on the particular needs and user base of individual services. While there are more secure methods of 2FA / MFA, use of A2P for 2FA significantly reduces the risk of account compromise and ensures the widest compatibility and usability across all user bases.Though we note that the NCSC has affirmed it's acceptable as a second factor in certain cases.

Innovation and Technology, whether the Government has commissioned (a) research and (b) policy work into compulsory Digital ID.

The Government is committed to making the state more efficient and easier to interact with through harnessing technology. We want to learn from countries who have digitised government services for the benefit of their citizens.We are looking at whether a new digital ID could help tackle illegal immigration, transform public services, and bring benefits to people’s everyday lives. No firm decision, estimate or assessment has yet been made.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Civil Service 2024/2025 External Expenditure on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion of 30 May 2025, if he will list (a) the suppliers and (b) a breakdown of the expenditure related to the £3,779 of expenditure on (i) LGBT+ and (ii) Humanists’ Convention.

See below the suppliers and a breakdown on the expenditure requested:DescriptionSpendSupplierCarers UK Membership£2,500Carers UKRainbow Flag£350This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to the departmentRainbow Pins£225This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to the departmentCatering for Ramadan Event£400This information could only be obtained at disproportionate cost to the departmentHolocaust Memorial Day event (train ticket for Speaker)£160Train Ticket Reimbursed to an External SpeakerHumanists Convention£144Humanists UK

Innovation and Technology, what plans the Government has to appoint a permanent Chief Executive Officer of the Government Digital Service (GDS); and whether this appointment will be made following an open competition.

The Government Chief Digital Officer (GCDO) leads the Government Digital Service (GDS), within DSIT. GDS is the digital centre of government. The current GCDO is in post on an interim basis. We will be appointing a permanent GCDO through an open competition to ensure transparency and attract diverse talent.

Innovation and Technology, how many Senior Civil Service vacancies have been filled through the succession select tool.

Zero Senior Civil Servant vacancies have been filled through the succession select tool; it does not form part of the recruitment or selection process for Senior Civil Servants. It is a tool used to aid internal talent management and is not used to fill vacancies.

Innovation and Technology, whether appointments to the Regulatory Innovation Office will be included in the Public Bodies Order in Council; and whether the Chair appointment will be classified as a significant appointment.

The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) was established as an Office within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in 2024 to support regulators to update regulation, speed up approvals, and ensure different regulatory bodies work together smoothly. The Department will continue to evaluate and review the RIO’s governance arrangements and objectives to ensure its work aligns with transformative goals and delivers effective regulatory solutions. There are no immediate plans to seek inclusion on the Public Bodies Order in Council which would lead to regulation by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA).

Innovation and Technology, what his timetable is for publishing the second part of the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous Government.Professor Sullivan is entitled to publish further research in this area in her capacity as an academic and may choose to publish a further report in due course.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 28 March 2025 to Question 39577 on Civil Servants: Recruitment, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the succession select tool on external recruitment to senior civil service roles.

Succession Select is an internal search tool used to support talent management within the existing Senior Civil Service (SCS) digital workforce. It is not used as part of the recruitment process, nor does it influence external appointment decisions. Accordingly, the Government has not made a formal assessment of its impact on external recruitment.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 32047 on Space Debris, what the nature is of the regulatory reform that will help mitigate the risks from space debris.

Following the May 2024 Space Regulatory Review, the new government is implementing a package of space regulatory reforms to achieve seven outcomes, including ensuring a safe, secure and sustainable space environment. Government is undertaking research into the impacts of several technical options to help mitigate the risks from space debris, such as reducing post-mission disposal timelines. Government is also supporting the development of independent British standards for space sustainability and has conducted an innovative regulatory sandbox for rendezvous and proximity operations to provide greater clarity and certainty in enabling regulation for future missions which could de-orbit debris.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to publish a response to the Independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender, published on 19 March 2025; and whether he plans to issue guidance to Departments on implementing the recommendations in the report.

The government has now published the independent review of data, statistics and research on sex and gender commissioned by the previous government.Individual departments are considering the findings in light of ongoing policy work in this area.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the press release entitled Appointment of Matt Clifford CBE as the AI Opportunities Adviser, published on 13 January 2025, whether the AI Opportunities Adviser is a (a) direct ministerial appointment and (b) unpaid special adviser; whether he has made a declaration of political activity; and what his financial interests are.

Matt Clifford CBE, a leading tech entrepreneur and Chair of ARIA, was directly appointed as the Prime Minister’s AI Opportunities Adviser. This is an unpaid role where Matt will report directly to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for DSIT. As the PM’s AI Opportunities Adviser, he will bring together a team across No10 and DSIT to seize AI opportunities and build the UK’s AI capabilities, delivering on the Plan for Change. Matt Clifford has declared his outside interests and agreed a series of mitigations, with DSIT’s Permanent Secretary, to address any potential conflicts of interest. These are published on gov.uk