Sarah Hall MP: written questions 2025
184 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Digital TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65088More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made an assessment of regional differences in digital infrastructure that may affect the rollout of the digital transformation strategy.
Answer: Differences in digital infrastructure are regularly assessed through Ofcom’s Connected Nations reporting. We are committed to ensuring nationwide (at least 99%) gigabit broadband coverage by 2032 and to standalone 5G coverage by 2030 across all populated ...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDepartmental Coordination: Information SharingDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65087More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent assessment he has made of the potential barriers to cross-departmental data integration; and what steps he is taking to help mitigate them.
Answer: The State of Digital Government Review identified five root causes for the issues with the current state of digital government, all of which are barriers to cross-departmental data integration: Leadership, Structure, Measurement, Talent and Funding. In ad...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordProof of Identity: Digital TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65086More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he plans to take to help tackle public concerns on (a) surveillance and (b) the misuse of personal data as digital identity and service integration increases.
Answer: The Government plans to introduce digital versions of existing government-issued documents through the GOV.UK Wallet, a secure digital service for storing government-issued credentials on users’ smartphones. By design, Government will not be keeping a rec...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: Digital TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65085More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to mandate the adoption of common technical architecture and standards across departments as part of digital transformation efforts.
Answer: The Government is committed to delivering systematic shifts in how whole organisations work together to deliver joined up public services. This includes changes such as using shared digital and data infrastructure to meet common needs. The Government comm...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: Digital TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65084More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to coordinate integration of digital platforms across departments.
Answer: The Government is committed to delivering more joined up public services, reducing duplication, and developing modern digital public infrastructure that will make public organisations more integrated.The Government has also committed to introducing a Digi...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: ICTDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65083More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has undertaken a cross-Government audit of legacy systems to inform the prioritisation of modernisation efforts.
Answer: The last survey of legacy systems was conducted in 2024. The scale of legacy varies by organisation and is not consistently measured, but it is estimated to comprise 28% of systems in central government departments in 2024, an increase from 26% in 2023.Go...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordTechnology: Private SectorDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65082More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with private sector technology providers on the (a) development and (b) scaling of (i) the GOV.UK application and (ii) supporting infrastructure.
Answer: The GOV.UK app has been developed in-house by a multi-disciplinary Government Digital Service (GDS) led team. We are committed to iterative development and improvements, and to working in the open - a core part of the GDS culture. We're actively learning,...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordSmall Businesses: Digital TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65081More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to partner with technology SMEs to deliver components of the Government's digital strategy.
Answer: The Government is committed to partnering with technology SMEs to deliver components of the Government’s digital strategy.To support this, the Digital Commercial Centre of Excellence in Government Digital Service is working closely with trade bodies that ...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: Digital TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65080More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department has to (a) reduce duplication in digital services and (b) consolidate departmental platforms.
Answer: The Government is committed to delivering more joined up public services, reducing duplication, and developing modern digital public infrastructure that will make public organisations more integrated. Thousands of teams across the public sector are alread...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordInformation Sharing: Public BodiesDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65079More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, published on 21 January 2025, what plans he has to increase secure data sharing between departments and publi
Answer: GDS is leading work to improve the way we share, govern and use data across government and the wider public sector. Strengthening and extending our digital and data public infrastructure is one of six priorities identified in the Blueprint for Modern Digi...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: Public SectorDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65078More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what role the Digital Centre of Government will play in (a) mandating and (b) monitoring digital service standards across (i) departments and (ii) public bodies.
Answer: The Service Standard provides the principles of building a good service. It’s made up of 14 points covering three specific areas: meeting user needs, providing a good service and using the right technology. The Service Standard is mandated for all GOV.UK ...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: Public SectorDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65077More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to pilot new (a) digital service models and (b) GOV.UK application functionality with local authorities prior to national rollout.
Answer: The GOV.UK app, which launched into public beta on 1 July 2025, embodies our vision of a government that provides a personalised and proactive experience which meets people where they are, bringing together access to central and local services into one se...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordICT: Repairs and MaintenanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65076More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to support (a) public sector bodies and (b) local authorities to (i) replace and (ii) upgrade legacy IT systems.
Answer: The Government is committed to ensuring that all public sector digital systems are safe, secure and stable. This includes ensuring that legacy systems are effectively managed.To support this, the Government Digital Service worked closely with HMT througho...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ICTMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65075More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to help ensure that local government bodies adopt (a) common data standards and (b) open Application Programming Interfaces.
Answer: MHCLG are supporting data standards initiatives to ensure that local government bodies can effectively adopt common data standards and open APIs, to enhance service delivery and interoperability. This includes the Open Referral UK and SAVVI data standards...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: Public SectorDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65074More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to develop safeguards to ensure algorithmic transparency in AI tools deployed by public sector bodies.
Answer: The Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard (ATRS) offers a standardised method for public sector bodies to publish information on their use of algorithmic tools. Its use is mandatory for all government departments and for Arms Length Bodies providing...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: Artificial IntelligenceMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65073More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to support local authorities in adopting AI responsibly in service delivery.
Answer: The government supports the responsible integration of AI across local government operations and services to reduce costs, drive efficiencies and improve service outcomes.My Department is working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordElectronic GovernmentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65072More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the new GOV.UK website will allow for integration with services provided by (a) local authorities and (b) other public bodies.
Answer: The Blueprint for Modern Digital Government sets out the government's vision for joined-up services that span the public sector, deliver a more satisfying user experience and reduce the bureaucratic burden on citizens.The GOV.UK website already helps user...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordProof of Identity: Digital TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65071More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the GOV.UK wallet will be launched as a standalone application; and what plans his Department has for the inclusion of digital driving licences within the wallet’s functionality
Answer: The Government is developing the GOV.UK Wallet, which will initially be released as part of the existing GOV.UK One Login app. The first credential will be the Veteran Card, followed by plans for an early version of the digital driving licence later this ...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: Public SectorDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65070More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure digital (a) inclusion and (b) consistency across in (i) urban and (ii) rural local authorities in transforming public service delivery
Answer: The Government is committed to improving digital inclusion and ensuring consistency in the transformation of public service delivery across both urban and rural areas. Through the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s Digital Inclusion Actio...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: Public SectorDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 4 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 65069More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to his Department's Blueprint for Modern Digital Government, published on 21 January 2025, what steps his Department is taking with the Government Digital Service to prov
Answer: The Blueprint for Modern Digital Government set out the government’s vision for digital services across the whole of the public sector. Earlier this year, the Government Digital Service ran a sprint looking at how GDS should work with and support local au...
Answered 14 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordPalestinians: Recognition of StatesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 1 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64365More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent representations he has made to his international counterparts on the recognition of a Palestinian state.
Answer: We continue to engage all partners on advancing a two-state solution and supporting the foundations of Palestinian statehood on a regular basis.The people of the West Bank and Gaza must be given the political perspective of a credible route to a Palestini...
Answered 21 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordTransport: Warrington SouthDepartment for TransportTabled 1 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64364More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the transport system supports economic growth in Warrington South constituency.
Answer: The Government is committed to driving economic growth across all regions through a better-connected, more reliable and greener transport network. As part of our long-term plan for transport, Warrington Borough Council has been allocated over £33 million ...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordInfrastructure: FinanceTreasuryTabled 1 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64363More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help improve the (a) financial oversight and (b) delivery assurance of major infrastructure projects.
Answer: The government oversees some of the UK’s largest and most complex infrastructure projects. We are committed to enhancing the oversight and assurance of these projects through a series of reforms, including streamlining approvals and strengthening assuranc...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordLeisure Centres: Warrington SouthDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 1 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64362More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support capital funding for Broomfield's leisure centre in Warrington South constituency.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to leisure facilities which are vital spaces for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy, and which play an important role within communities.The ongoing responsibility of providing acc...
Answered 18 Jul 2025
Original Parliament recordAsylum: WarringtonHome OfficeTabled 1 Jul 2025AnsweredUIN 64361More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent progress she has made on closing contingency hotels used to accommodate asylum seekers in Warrington.
Answer: The Home Office continues to work with a range of stakeholders to fulfil our statutory obligations and deliver our commitment to reduce the overall cost of asylum accommodation, including ending the use of hotels by the end of this Parliament.There are no...
Answered 9 Jul 2025
Original Parliament record
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