Chi Onwurah MP: written questions
398 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Trade Agreements: USADepartment for Business and TradeTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65762More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology and (b) civil society as part of negotiations towards digital trade ambitions outlined in the General
Answer: The UK and US are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal which will look at increasing digital trade, improving access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains. The deal opens the way to a future UK US tech...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: SafetyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65761More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to take steps through a regulatory framework for artificial intelligence to (a) mandate safety-by-design principles, (b) mitigate potential harms and (c) prevent AI-gen
Answer: As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, we believe most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use, with our expert regulators best placed to do so. Departments are working proactively with regulators to provide clear strategic direction a...
Answered 16 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSocial Media: Data ProtectionDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65760More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of taking legislative steps to require social media platforms to enable users to transfer their (a) data, (b) content and (c) connect
Answer: Article 20 of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) already provides individuals with a right to ‘data portability’. It applies where an individual has provided their personal data to one data controller based on consent or a contract and wa...
Answered 16 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordCoronavirus Business Interruption Loan SchemeDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65759More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how many and what proportion of Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme payments have been paid to the loaning bank following (a) default and (b) bankruptcy by the business to which the loan was
Answer: As at 31 March 2025, 8,755 (9.0% of the total) Coronavirus Business Interruption Scheme (CBILS) loans have had the government guarantee paid out. The monetary value of the guarantees paid out is £996.3mn, or 3.9% of the total the CBILS draw down value. Th...
Answered 11 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordEast Coast Main Line: WiFiDepartment for TransportTabled 8 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65758More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, which technologies will deliver improved wifi access on the East Coast Main Line.
Answer: The Department continues to work closely with Network Rail and industry to look at solutions to improve connectivity on trains, which includes rolling out rail 5G on the rail network. Following the spending review, funding has been made available to inves...
Answered 11 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAI Security Institute and Alan Turing InstituteDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 7 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65257More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what the differences in remit are between the (a) AI Security Institute and (b) Alan Turing Institute.
Answer: The AI Security Institute (AISI) was set up to equip governments with a scientific understanding of the risks posed by advanced AI. AISI researches these risks, their potential impacts, and develops potential risk mitigations.The Alan Turing Institute is ...
Answered 10 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPublic Sector: Digital TechnologyTreasuryTabled 24 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62182More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the correspondence to the Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of 10 April 2025, for what reason the projected £45 billion in an
Answer: The figure of £45 billion in annual savings and productivity gains, published in ‘A blueprint for modern digital government’, represents a long-term estimate of the potential benefits for the digital transformation of the public sector. Spending Review 20...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDNA: ScreeningDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 24 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 62181More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing regulatory standards for the marketing of consumer DNA testing kits.
Answer: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is aware that there are a number of DNA test kits on the market. The majority claim to provide information on ancestry, and in general these would not be regarded as medical devices.However, those th...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAfrica: EnergyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 904787More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to support a just energy transition in Africa.
Answer: Promoting access to clean energy in Africa is vital for supporting growth and reducing poverty across the continent. Through British International Investment, the UK has provided access to clean energy for over 26 million people. We support multilateral i...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: DisinformationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60865More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle the emergence of deepfake videos depicting government ministers; and whether the forthcoming legislation on deepfakes will include spe
Answer: The Government takes the threat posed by harmful deepfakes very seriously. Deepfakes, and other manipulated media, are regulated by the Online Safety Act where they are shared on an in-scope service and constitute either illegal content or content which i...
Answered 23 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordHealth: International AssistanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60864More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department has taken to coordinate with other (a) donor governments and (b) implementing country partners to mitigate the potential impact of reductions to the
Answer: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Ministers and officials regularly meet international partners on a number of global health and international development issues, both in the course of their duties and as part of our role as a board member to a...
Answered 26 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: Disease ControlForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60863More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of reductions in Official Development Assistance on lives (a) saved and (b) at risk in (i) low- and (ii)
Answer: Following the recent Spending Review, decisions on the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget are being finalised through consultation and impact assessments. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is committed to ensuring every pound deli...
Answered 2 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDevelopment Aid: HealthForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60862More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much of the Official Development Assistance budget is allocated to global health programmes in (a) 2025-26, (b) 2026-27, (c) 2027-28 and (d) 2028-29.
Answer: We will publish the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's final 2025/26 Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme allocations in the Annual Report & Accounts in July. Over the coming months, we will work through detailed decisions on ho...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordDNA: TestingDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 18 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60861More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department has made an assessment of the (a) data protection and (b) ethical implications of commercial DNA testing services used by minors without age verification.
Answer: All companies providing DNA testing kits or DNA testing services must comply with the provisions of the Human Tissue Act 2004 relating to consent. This provides the ethical framework for DNA testing. Under the Act, a person who has not attained the age of...
Answered 1 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordScientists: IranDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 17 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 60439More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the targeting of Iranian scientists by the IDF on British (a) science and (b) scientists.
Answer: Science, innovation and technology are inherently international. The UK continues to work closely with international partners to harness the power of science and tech for global benefit.We remain focused on ensuring stability in the Middle East. It is cru...
Answered 24 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordBezalel SmotrichForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59350More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the placement of sanctions on Bezalel Smotrich on (a) Pearson Engineering Limited and (b) other UK-based companies th
Answer: Our sanctions are carefully designed to minimise unintended consequences within the UK and globally. The sanctions on Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir apply to them in their personal capacities, and not to their ministries, departments or businesses o...
Answered 25 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordMeta: DisinformationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59349More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which Government departments work with Meta to (a) identify and (b) remove misinformation.
Answer: DSIT is responsible for the government’s relationship with social media platforms, and leads HMG’s domestic mis- and disinformation policy while working closely with other departments. The Online Safety Act’s duties address mis- and disinformation where i...
Answered 17 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordPolice: Conditions of EmploymentHome OfficeTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59031More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to review (a) the rate of police pay and (b) the adequacy of technical and mental health support provided to police officers.
Answer: The Government has received the Police Remuneration Review Body's (PRRB) report for this year, and we are carefully considering the recommendations before providing a response in due course. The Government is still awaiting the report of the Senior Salari...
Answered 16 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial IntelligenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 11 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 59030More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what definition his Department uses for sovereign AI in the AI opportunities action plan.
Answer: The Government defines sovereign AI as the UK's ability to access, influence or control the development and deployment of critical capabilities to protect our national interests and unlock economic growth. This encompasses strengthening domestic capacity ...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: Artificial IntelligenceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57235More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what role the Artificial Intelligence Directorate plays in supporting the digital transformation of local government services.
Answer: MHCLG’s Artificial Intelligence Directorate supports local government to harness the power of artificial intelligence, data analytics and other digital innovations so that their services are more responsive to the needs of their communities, provide bette...
Answered 9 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordHigher Education: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57234More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure the continuation of UK research in the higher education sector.
Answer: The government is protecting record levels R&D investment, allocating £20.4bn across departments in 2025/26. DSIT’s overall R&D budget will be £13.9bn in 2025/26, including £8.8bn for UKRI to support talent, infrastructure, and innovation. This fu...
Answered 13 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordClinical TrialsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57233More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the capacity of local health committees to respond promptly to local clinical trial requests.
Answer: Clinical trial requests are responded to by the Health Research Authority (HRA). The Department routinely monitors the performance of Research Ethics Committee approval timelines delivered by the HRA to ensure these meet targets for clinical trial approva...
Answered 19 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordInternet: AdvertisingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57232More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that the right to object to targeted online advertising is upheld under consent-or-pay models; and whether his Department plans to provide updated guid
Answer: The Information Commissioner’s Office’s (ICO) guidance on this matter states that pay and consent models can be implemented in accordance with the data protection legislation, so long as websites ensure that consent to targeted advertising is fully inform...
Answered 13 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordElectronic GovernmentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57231More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions (a) he has and (b) his officials have had with trade unions on the digitalisation of government.
Answer: I recently met Prospect Union to discuss our plans for digitising government. My officials met with representatives from the Trade Union Congress (TUC) several times to discuss the Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, both before and after publication...
Answered 13 Jun 2025
Original Parliament recordElectronic GovernmentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jun 2025AnsweredUIN 57230More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when he plans to complete the integration of the Government Gateway with the gov.uk one login system.
Answer: Government Gateway is a separate, existing authentication and identity service for cross-government digital services and is managed by HMRC. There are no plans to integrate Government Gateway with GOV.UK One Login, but in time services that use Government...
Answered 13 Jun 2025
Original Parliament record
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