Chi Onwurah MP: written questions 2026
80 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Syria: Politics and GovernmentForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5913More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what conditions are currently attached to UK financial support to the Syrian government; and whether she plans to make future support contingent on the inclusion of all minor
Answer: I refer the Hon Member to my statement on GOV.UK marking the one‑year anniversary of the fall of the Assad regime, available at the link below, which set out the UK's support for the efforts of the new Syrian government to build a more stable, inclusive, ...
Answered 4 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSmart Devices: ProcurementDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 2 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5912More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the definition and application of trusted supplier in relation to cellular Internet of Things (IoT) modules.
Answer: Connected device security requires a layered approach that includes software, hardware and the processes that protect these devices against attack. Manufacturers of smart tech should use the device security principles, produced by the National Cyber Secur...
Answered 10 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordLondon North Eastern Railway: WiFiDepartment for TransportTabled 27 Apr 2026Awaiting answerUIN 129831More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve wifi on LNER; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of that wifi performance over the past three years.
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordCombined Authorities: IndustryMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128690More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how combined authorities are being supported to develop world-class industrial clusters as part of local growth plans.
Answer: Local Growth Plans are central to delivering growth and boosting living standards in every corner of the country. Government has worked directly in partnership with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to co-agree regional growth priorities, including ensuring t...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordClinical TrialsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128689More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of proposals in the ABPI report published in March 2026.
Answer: The Department has considered the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry’s (ABPI) March 2026 report, Globally competitive United Kingdom wide data-enabled clinical trials: the time is now, and its proposals on improving clinical trial set‑up a...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordMedical Records: Data ProtectionDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128688More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of patients in England have exercised their right to opt out of sharing their data for research purposes via the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD).
Answer: The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) receives data from Optum, Vision, and TPP SystmOne practices, which represent the three largest clinical system providers to general practices (GPs). 32% of practices across all four nations currently partici...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordGeneral Practitioners: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128687More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of General Practices are signed up to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD); and what steps his Department is taking to help address (a) technical and (b) contractual barri
Answer: The Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) receives data from Optum, Vision, and TPP SystmOne practices, which represent the three largest clinical system providers to general practices (GPs). 32% of practices across all four nations currently partici...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAI Growth Zones: North EastDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 21 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 128686More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to WPQ 126560, whether Nscale will still be investing in the North East AI growth zone.
Answer: The government continues to work closely with the Combined Authority and commercial partners regarding the delivery of the North East AI Growth Zone. Discussions with individual companies are commercially sensitive, and we will provide further updates in ...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEnergy: InfrastructureDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127456More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how Green Book appraisal criteria are used to assess investments in energy infrastructure in regions with high industrial and renewable potential, including the North East.
Answer: HM Treasury’s Green Book sets out the framework for assessing value for money for taxpayers across different policy proposals. It is applied consistently across all regions. However, it also uses place-based analysis to account for differences between tow...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordOxford-Cambridge ArcTreasuryTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127455More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that national economic policy does not disproportionately impact the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor over regions with industrial, technology and energy capacity such as the North
Answer: The Government’s economic strategy aims to spread growth across Britain, supporting all regions by investing in transport, housing, skills, and key industrial sectors. The Chancellor has repeatedly emphasised that regional growth, including in the North a...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordVenture CapitalDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127454More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of regional distribution of venture capital investment; and what steps she is taking to increase investment flows to the North East.
Answer: The number of equity deals in the North East increased 8.6% year on year in 2024, to 63 deals. Comparatively, London’s dominance of the UK equity market reduced slightly in 2024, with the share of deals in the capital dropping from 50.8% to 47.1% year-on-...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: FraudDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127453More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help tackle content advising individuals to misrepresent health conditions for financial gain though the benefits system.
Answer: I refer the Hon. member to the answer I gave on 24th March 2026 to PQ 123138.
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordPolice: FinanceHome OfficeTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127452More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the 2026–27 police funding settlement in enabling Northumbria Police to bring officer numbers remain back to pre-2010 levels; and how many police forces
Answer: The Government’s Safer Streets Mission sets a clear expectation for policing to deliver safer communities and improved public confidence. An effective, well-supported police service is central to achieving this. That is why forces should have the right re...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence and Digital Technology: North EastDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127451More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to encourage (a) UK and (b) international technology firms to invest in AI and digital innovation clusters in the North East of England.
Answer: The Government is committed to driving regional growth by attracting AI and digital investment across the UK, including in the North East of England. The North East AI Growth Zone will provide secure, dedicated compute infrastructure, supporting innovatio...
Answered 27 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBusiness: FinanceDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127450More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether funding programmes are available to support inclusive founding teams in (a) technology, (b) creative industries, (c) green energy and (d) other high-growth sectors.
Answer: The Government provides a range of available funding programmes to support inclusive founding teams across high-growth sectors. For example, Innovate UK provides specialised funding through initiatives such as its £101 million Clean Growth Fund, and other...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBritish Business BankDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127449More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with the British Business Bank on supporting access to capital for women-led and ethnic minority-led businesses.
Answer: The British Business Bank has numerous new and successful programmes to support access to capital for underrepresented groups, including:new £400 million Investor Pathways Capital initiative to reduce barriers to entry for new fund managers, with 50% of t...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricity: Data CentresDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127448More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of industrial electricity prices on inward investment in AI data centres since OpenAI’s decision to pause its UK Stargat
Answer: The Government is focused on continuing to create the right conditions for investment in the UK’s AI and data centre infrastructure. Through the AI Energy Council, it is already bringing together energy system bodies and leading technology companies, incl...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricity: Data CentresDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127433More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the electricity demand of large-scale data centres, in (1) the UK and (2) those located in the North East; and what plans exist to ensure adequate grid capacity
Answer: The Department’s energy and emissions projections include growth in power demand from computing services like data centres. To ensure a comprehensive view of the system, the methodology projects at a broader sector level, not disaggregating specific estim...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWind Power: North EastDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127432More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that new offshore wind developments deliver long-term skilled jobs and supply-chain opportunities for communities in the North East.
Answer: The Government has set out a package of support for offshore wind supply chains and infrastructure of up to £1bn, including £300m from Great British Energy, £400m from The Crown Estate and £300m from industry. Allocation Round 7 secured a record 8.4GW of ...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWind Power: North SeaDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127431More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the total untapped offshore wind generating capacity in the North Sea; and what proportion of that capacity could be brought forward through future Cr
Answer: In January 2026 the UK signed a clean energy pact with Germany, France, Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark and Norway. This noted that 300GW of offshore wind could be built across the North Sea by 2050. The Crown Estate has said p...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordArts: North EastDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127430More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support is being provided to regional creative-industry organisations in the North East, including writing and publishing bodies, as part of the Government’s Creative Industries Sector Visio
Answer: Unleashing the potential of our regions is a core objective of the Creative Industries Sector Plan. The Plan commits £25 million to the North East Combined Authority (NECA) as a high-potential Mayoral Strategic Authority, via our new Creative Places Growt...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordScience and Technology: Diplomatic RelationsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127068More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what role science diplomacy plays in the Government’s strategy for achieving UK technology sovereignty; and whether the UK intends to pursue shared leadership arrangements with internat
Answer: Science diplomacy plays an important role in building UK technology sovereignty through international partnerships with partners which strengthen our shared capabilities, resilience and security.Our Science & Technology Network, covering 65 locations,...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: Child Sexual Abuse MaterialDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126564More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure AI tools are safe by design to prevent the creation of child sexual abuse material.
Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordScience and Technology: Diplomatic RelationsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126563More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of potential impact of science diplomacy in achieving UK technology sovereignty; and whether her Department intends to pursue shared leadership arrangements
Answer: Science diplomacy supports UK technology sovereignty by building international partnerships which strengthen our capabilities, resilience and security. This is underpinned by our Science & Technology Network covering 65 locations which strengthens UK ...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126562More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of using generative AI to assist people making benefit claims.
Answer: We are adopting artificial intelligence in the Department for Work and Pensions to help colleagues deliver better outcomes for customers and to improve productivity and efficiency. While generative artificial intelligence is not currently used to assist p...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament record
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