Ben Spencer MP: written questions
4 Jul 2024–3 Jul 2025
How these years work
Our reporting years run from 4 July to 3 July, starting with the 2024 general election. They are not official parliamentary sessions. Office costs keep IPSA’s April–March financial years. Records may cover only part of a year; a missing record does not mean no work was done.
Read what this MP said, asked and contributed in Parliament.
78 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Gender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44102More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with universities on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research proje
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44101More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with UK Research and Innovation on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44100More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Research England on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research p
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44098More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with Innovate UK on their approach to the (a) coding of and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity in research
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44097More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Science and Technology Facilities Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii)
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44089More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Government Digital Service on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 44088More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Natural Environment Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gende
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43916More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Medical Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gender identity i
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43915More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43914More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43912More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Economic and Social Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gende
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43911More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Arts and Humanities Research Council on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gende
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordGender and Sex: Data ProcessingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 3 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43910More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Advanced Research and Invention Agency on their approach to the (a) coding and (b) processing of data relating to (i) biological sex and (ii) gen
Answer: No direct discussions have taken place on these matters. The review has been shared with all departments, and is available for all arms-length bodies and institutions to consider in light of ongoing work in this area.
Answered 11 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordData, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender Independent ReviewDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Apr 2025AnsweredUIN 43556More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when his Department received the Sullivan Review of Data, Statistics and Research on Sex and Gender, published on 19 March 2025.
Answer: The Review was received by the department on 23rd September 2024.
Answered 8 Apr 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: Child Sexual Abuse MaterialDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23459More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Research England on their approach to supporting research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing child sexual abuse images created by ge
Answer: The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), includ...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: Child Sexual Abuse MaterialDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23458More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Innovate UK on their approach to supporting research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing child sexual abuse images created by generat
Answer: The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), includ...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: Child Sexual Abuse MaterialDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23457More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Science and Technology Facilities Council on their approach to supporting research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing child sexu
Answer: The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), includ...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: Child Sexual Abuse MaterialDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23456More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Economic and Social Research Council on their approach to supporting research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing child sexual ab
Answer: The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), includ...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: DisinformationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Jan 2025WithdrawnUIN 23455More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Arts and Humanities Research Council on their approach to supporting research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing deepfake images
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: DisinformationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Jan 2025WithdrawnUIN 23454More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Advanced Research and Invention Agency on support for research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing deepfake images created by generat
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: DisinformationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23453More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Regulatory Innovation Office on UK research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing deepfake images created by generative Artificial
Answer: AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing B...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: DisinformationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23452More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Government Office for Technology Transfer on their approach to supporting market innovation into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing d
Answer: The Secretary of State has not had any conversations with the Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) on this topic. GOTT helps to accelerate government’s innovations towards the market to impact growth and deliver new products and services for c...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: Child Sexual Abuse MaterialDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23451More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to regulate the (a) detection, (b) prevention and (c) removal of deepfake images created by gen
Answer: Government made a clear manifesto commitment to ban the creation of sexually explicit deepfake images and we are bringing forward legislation to honour that commitment in the Crime and Policing Bill.Under the Online Safety Act, it is already a criminal of...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: DisinformationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23450More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with universities on their approach to supporting research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing deepfake images created by generative Artif
Answer: AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing B...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: DisinformationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Jan 2025AnsweredUIN 23449More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with business stakeholders on the Government's approach to supporting research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing deepfake images created by
Answer: AI-generated content is captured by the Online Safety Act where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children on an in-scope service. We will also criminalise the creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes through the Crime and Policing B...
Answered 21 Jan 2025
Original Parliament record
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Written questions by answering department
4 Jul 2024–3 Jul 2025. One record per UIN and tabled date; the named department is not a measure of answer quality.
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