Ben Spencer MP: written questions 2024
122 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Retinoblastoma: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21041More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much Government investment into retinoblastoma research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.
Answer: The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was ...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordRetinitis Pigmentosa: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21040More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much Government investment into retinitis pigmentosa research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.
Answer: The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was ...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordDiabetic Retinopathy: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21039More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much Government investment into diabetic retinopathy research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.
Answer: The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was ...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMacular Degeneration: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21038More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much Government investment into dry macular degeneration research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.
Answer: The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was ...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordMacular Degeneration: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21037More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much Government investment into wet macular degeneration was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.
Answer: The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was ...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordGlaucoma: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21036More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much Government investment into closed-angle glaucoma research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.
Answer: The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was ...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordGlaucoma: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21035More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much Government investment into open-angle glaucoma research was in 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that investment.
Answer: The Department of Health and Social Care funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology was ...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordNanotechnology: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21034More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Regulatory Innovation Office on the UK’s research into nanotechnology since July 2024.
Answer: The Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) was formally established on 8th October 2024. Initially it is supporting the growth of four fast-growing areas of technology. These are: Engineering biology, Space, Artificial Intelligence and digital in healthcare;...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordNanotechnology: InnovationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 21033More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Government Office for Technology Transfer on their approach to support market innovation into nanotechnology since July 2024.
Answer: The Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) helps accelerate government’s innovations towards the market, to impact growth and deliver new products and services for citizens. GOTT provides expertise, funding, and guidance to central government de...
Answered 10 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordTribunalsMinistry of JusticeTabled 17 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 20713More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps she is taking to reduce waiting times for Tribunal cases to be heard for (a) Social Security and Child Support, (b) Immigration and Asylum and (c) SEN appeals.
Answer: We are working to reduce the outstanding caseload in the Social Entitlement Chamber, the Immigration and Asylum Chamber and the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal. Reducing outstanding caseloads is the key measure to brin...
Answered 6 Jan 2025
Original Parliament recordM25: Runnymede and WeybridgeDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19043More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with National Highways on when each concrete section of the M25 within the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency will be treated with next generation concrete surfacing.
Answer: The precise dates for treatment of individual sections will be determined based on regular monitoring of the condition of the carriageway. National Highways plans to give priority to treatments within the Noise Important Areas (NIA) identified by Departme...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordM25: Runnymede and WeybridgeDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19042More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information her Department holds on when each concrete section of the M25 within Runnymede and Weybridge constituency is expected to reach the end of its serviceable life.
Answer: The precise dates for treatment of individual sections will be determined based on regular monitoring of the condition of the carriageway. National Highways plans to give priority to treatments within the Noise Important Areas (NIA) identified by Departme...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordM25: Runnymede and WeybridgeDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 19041More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many noise important areas of the M25 there are within the Runnymede and Weybridge constituency; and what the location is of each.
Answer: The precise dates for treatment of individual sections will be determined based on regular monitoring of the condition of the carriageway. National Highways plans to give priority to treatments within the Noise Important Areas (NIA) identified by Departme...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18667More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of AI regulation for UK research into space weather and its consequences.
Answer: AI is a general-purpose technology, with a wide array of applications. The UK's existing expert regulators are best placed to regulate the vast majority of AI systems in the context in which they’re deployed.
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18666More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of AI on UK research into space weather and its consequences.
Answer: We have made no such direct assessment, but as a general-purpose technology, AI has a wide array of applications and the UK's existing expert regulators are best placed to regulate the vast majority of AI systems in the context in which they’re deployed.
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18665More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of UK research into space weather and its consequences on domestic cybersecurity.
Answer: The UK continues to prioritise activities to mitigate the impacts of space weather. Severe space weather is identified in our National Risk Register and our response is outlined in the Severe Space Weather Preparedness Strategy.
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18664More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Geospatial Commission on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: None
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18663More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with universities on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: The Department has regular discussions with businesses and universities, including space stakeholders, on a range of issues although there have been no discussions on space weather and its consequences.
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18662More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with businesses on the Government's approach to research into (a) space weather and (b) its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: The Department has regular discussions with businesses and universities, including space stakeholders, on a range of issues although there have been no discussions on space weather and its consequences.
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18661More
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 research into (a) space weather and (b) its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions.However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18660More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether he plans to produce a domestic research strategy for space weather.
Answer: Work continues to progress the UK Severe Space Weather Preparedness Strategy which was published in September 2021. The Strategy was developed in close collaboration with the academic community and commits to a series of targeted research and development ...
Answered 16 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18659More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Horizon Europe on UK-based research into (a) space weather and (b) its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: Space research in Horizon Europe is covered under Pillar 2, in the cluster ‘Digital, Industry and Space’. DSIT encourages UK researchers to take part in the available funding opportunities to support international cooperation.The EU has restricted the par...
Answered 18 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18658More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment has he made of potential opportunities for research into (a) space weather and (b) its consequences through Horizon Europe.
Answer: Space research in Horizon Europe is covered under Pillar 2, in the cluster ‘Digital, Industry and Space’. DSIT encourages UK researchers to take part in the available funding opportunities to support international cooperation.The EU has restricted the par...
Answered 18 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18657More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Research England on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions.However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament recordSpace Weather: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Dec 2024AnsweredUIN 18656More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with Innovate UK on research into space weather and its consequences since July 2024.
Answer: Ministers have had no such discussions.However, as a part of their portfolio UKRI work with the Met Office to deliver the Space weather instrumentation, measurement, modelling and risk (SWIMMR), a £20 million, four-year programme that will improve the UK’...
Answered 17 Dec 2024
Original Parliament record
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