Saqib Bhatti MP: written questions 2024
81 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Internet: Data ProtectionDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10169More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of using the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill to extend the list of cookie exemptions to include (a) advertising performance
Answer: There is a balance to strike between driving growth and innovation whilst ensuring people retain appropriate choice and control about how their personal data captured by cookies is used. While we have not added this exemption to the face of the Data (Use ...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: SchoolsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10168More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Education on supporting digital inclusion in schools.
Answer: I met with the Minister of State for School Standards last week to discuss digital inclusion in schools as a shared priority across our Departments.
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordData Protection: BusinessDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 21 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 10167More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to require businesses to carry out data protection impact assessments.
Answer: Article 35 of the UK GDPR already requires organisations to carry out a data protection impact assessment if the type of processing they are doing is likely to result in a high risk to the rights and freedoms of individuals.
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordEmily MiddletonCabinet OfficeTabled 17 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 9794More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to Annex D of FOI2024-00289: Correspondence about the appointment of Emily Middleton, published by his Department on 24 September 2024, if he will publish (a) the letter from Cat Little and (b) ac
Answer: I am happy to publish the accompanying annex (b), which was a document entitled "CSC Recruitment Principles". This is available online at https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/02a_RECRUITMENT-PRINCIPLES-Apr...
Answered 29 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHigher Education: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 8 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7863More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to amend the Research Excellence Framework.
Answer: The next Research Excellence Framework (REF) is currently being developed by Research England and the three Devolved higher education funding bodies, in collaboration with the higher education sector.Since the funding bodies initial proposals for REF 2029...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordUniversities: Domestic VisitsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 8 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7862More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many universities (a) he and (b) other Ministers in his Department have visited since their appointment.
Answer: Since taking office in July, we have visited six universities. I have visited Glasgow University, Queens University Belfast and Imperial College London. Members of the ministerial team have made visits to Northumbria University, Imperial College London an...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordArtificial IntelligenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 8 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7861More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what areas of discussion have been submitted by parties attending the AI Action Summit in November 2024.
Answer: We are looking forward to working with France as they organise the AI Action Summit, taking place on 10 and 11 February 2025. France have outlined there are five tracks for the Summit: Trust in AI, Global Governance, Innovation, Public Interest and Future...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordArtificial IntelligenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 8 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7860More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when he will publish a consultation on the potential merits of bringing forward an Artificial Intelligence Bill.
Answer: As set out in the King’s Speech, the Government will establish legislation to ensure the safe development of AI models by introducing targeted requirements on companies developing the most powerful AI systems. This legislation will build on the voluntary ...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordData Centres: BlythDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 8 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 7859More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has had recent discussions with Northumberland County Council on the construction of an artificial intelligence data centre in Cambois.
Answer: Officials within my Department work closely with Northumberland County Council to support investment into the region. This includes collaboration to support Blackstone and QTS’ recently confirmed investment into an artificial intelligence data centre in B...
Answered 24 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInternet: DisinformationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6595More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help tackle online state-sponsored harmful content.
Answer: Under the Online Safety Act, companies will be forced to take action against illegal content online. The Foreign Interference Offence, a priority offence in the Act, will require companies to tackle a wide range of state-linked interference online, and pl...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInternet: ChildrenDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6594More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to increase online safety for children.
Answer: The government is committed to keeping children safe online and we will continue to work with campaigners, charities, industry, and the regulator to achieve this goal. Our priority is the quick and effective implementation of the Online Safety Act to ensu...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInternet: SafetyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6593More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will work with technology companies to increase online safety.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that the internet, and social media in particular, is safe for UK users, especially children. Whilst technology companies have a key role in accelerating innovation, investment and productivity across the UK, they m...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: Public SectorDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6592More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding has been allocated to ensuring public services are accessible digitally.
Answer: The Service Standard and the Technology Code of Practice require government teams to make sure that services are accessible to all users, including disabled people, people with other legally protected characteristics, people who do not have access to the ...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: DisadvantagedDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6591More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of developing a digital inclusion strategy on the number of (a) anti-Semitic and (b) anti-Muslim incidents.
Answer: It is a scandal that the previous government did not introduce a digital inclusion strategy for ten years.Digital inclusion is a priority for my department and for government, and work is ongoing to develop our approach to tackling digital exclusion and c...
Answered 15 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDigital TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6590More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to increase digital accessibility for vulnerable people.
Answer: It is a scandal that the previous government did not introduce a digital inclusion strategy for ten years.Digital inclusion is a priority for my department and for government, and work is ongoing to develop our approach to tackling digital exclusion and c...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: DisadvantagedDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6589More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential contribution of a digital inclusion strategy to (a) stopping the spread of misinformation and (b) increasing public trust in social media.
Answer: Digital inclusion is a key priority for the government and it is shocking that the previous government’s out-of-date digital inclusion strategy was published a full decade ago, despite clear evidence that digital exclusion limits economic growth and harms...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: DisadvantagedDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6588More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to support the digital inclusion of (a) elderly, (b) economically disadvantaged and (c) disabled people.
Answer: It is a scandal that the previous government did not introduce a digital inclusion strategy for ten years.Digital inclusion is a priority for my department and for government, and work is ongoing to develop our approach to tackling digital exclusion and c...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: DisadvantagedDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6587More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will ensure that funding is allocated for the creation of a new digital inclusion strategy.
Answer: It is a scandal that the previous government did not introduce a digital inclusion strategy for ten years.Digital inclusion is a priority for my department and for government, and work is ongoing to develop our approach to tackling digital exclusion and c...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: DisadvantagedDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6586More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to develop a digital inclusion strategy.
Answer: It is a scandal that the previous government did not introduce a digital inclusion strategy for ten years.Digital inclusion is a priority for my department and for government, and work is ongoing to develop our approach to tackling digital exclusion and c...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5672More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he will prioritise phasing out testing on protected species when phasing out animal testing.
Answer: The Government has committed to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”. This includes all animals protected by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, including those with special ...
Answered 8 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5671More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will conduct an impact assessment of his plans to phase out animal testing.
Answer: The Government has committed to “partner with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the phasing out of animal testing”, which is a long-term goal. We are currently engaging with partners from sectors with interests in animal science a...
Answered 8 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5670More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Answer of 12 September 2024 to Question 2163 on Animal Experiments, which scientists his Department has partnered with to work towards the requirements for phasing
Answer: We are currently engaging with partners from sectors with interests in animal science as to how we will take this commitment forward. This has included a meeting with representatives from the agricultural, chemical, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries...
Answered 8 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordAnimal ExperimentsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 12 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5669More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 6 September 2024 to Question 2163 on Animal Experiments, what his planned timetable is for the work on requirements for phasing out animal testing.
Answer: The Government has committed to partnering with scientists, industry, and civil society as we work towards the requirements for phasing out of animal testing and discussions on this subject are already underway. It is not yet possible to replace all anima...
Answered 8 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordInnovationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 11 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 5396More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Innovation Skills Framework.
Answer: The Department has not made a formal assessment of this Framework, which is being delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). UKRI is working to further refine and develop the Framework. Through Innovate UK, it will continue to work with the Institute...
Answered 7 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHorizon EuropeDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 9 Sept 2024AnsweredUIN 4852More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to increase participation in Horizon Europe.
Answer: This Government is committed to maximising UK participation in Horizon Europe. The Government is working with key stakeholders on plans to boost UK participation and encourage the international R&D community to collaborate with UK organisations. This ...
Answered 12 Sept 2024
Original Parliament record
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