Written questions by Mishra.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department plans to take steps to reduce the level of public sector reliance on large technology companies.

Awaiting answer.

Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential implications for its policies of the French Government’s decision to transition public sector desktops to the Linux operating system; and whether she has considered the potential merits of a similar approach in the UK public sector.

The Government is aware of strategic decisions made in France regarding their choice of operating systems. The UK will always be diligent in assessing the benefits to ensure it selects the most appropriate operating system for its context, balancing costs, functionality, upkeep and wider requirements.

Innovation and Technology, what funding she has allocated to deliver the Digital Inclusion Action Plan through the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund after this financial year.

Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily.But we know some people face real barriers. That’s why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online.Through the Fund we will better understand what works and what could be scaled to support more people. We are taking learnings from this Fund and research projects to develop future interventions, including any potential funding after this financial year.This is just one of our First Steps, and the Government is clear that everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – with more needed to ensure this.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to publish a strategy further to the Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps, published on 26 February 2025.

Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily.But we know some people face real barriers. That’s why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan and launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online.Through the Fund we will better understand what works and what could be scaled to support more people. We are taking learnings from this Fund and research projects to develop future interventions, including any potential funding after this financial year.This is just one of our First Steps, and the Government is clear that everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – with more needed to ensure this.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2025 to Question 87855, whether her Department has had discussions with Ofcom on price transparency in contracts provided by O2.

Further to my answer of 13 November 2025, and following my letter to Ofcom’s CEO of 31st October, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is continuing to engage with Ofcom on pricing transparency. Ofcom publicly shared disappointment with O2’s decision, which went against the spirit of the January 2025 changes. Ofcom also reminded telecom companies of their regulatory responsibilities to maintain fair pricing and transparency. The Secretary of State has asked Ofcom what more can be done to go further, faster to ensure that people are getting a fair deal.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions her Department has had with Ofcom on mid-contract price increases by O2, in the context of levels of rises set out in customers’ contracts.

The Secretary of State met and wrote to Ofcom’s CEO on 31st October to ask for its assessment of telecoms consumer protections and what could be done further, faster on transparent and fair pricing. The Secretary of State made clear that it is imperative that people feel empowered when interacting with the telecoms market, and that they can be confident they are getting a fair deal. The letter set out a number of potential measures for Ofcom to consider.My department will continue working closely with Ofcom to ensure telecom contracts remain fair and transparent.

Innovation and Technology, whether any funding will be available to deliver the Digital Inclusion Action Plan beyond the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund.

Digital inclusion is a priority for this Government, a step-change from the last ten years.That is why the Government published its Digital Inclusion Action Plan – First Steps in February 2025, which outlines the first five actions we are taking on digital inclusion.One of those first actions is the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund which launched in August with £9.5 million to support and expand local community initiatives to get people online.In addition, a recent funding programme of £2 million supported Mayoral Combined Authorities across England to deliver innovative and meaningful support for digitally excluded people in their communities.The full detail of DSIT's longer-term spending plans is still being considered, and further information will be provided as allocations are decided later in the year.