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1712852

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: Freedom of Information
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when her Department plans to answer a request for information, reference FOI 2023/23519, submitted on 1 November 2023 under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 by Mr Dan Wright.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	22943
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>The department attaches great importance to timely responses to FOIs and apologises for the exceptional delay in this case. The department is reviewing processes to mitigate the risk of a recurrence of late responses and will provide a full response no later than 3rd May on this case.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 25/04/2024 14:23:22 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1702392

	registered interest
	date	19/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Innovation: Expenditure
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 13 of the UK Science and Technology Framework, published by her Department on 6 March 2023, what steps the Government is taking to increase expenditure on innovative products.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	22731
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>On 9 February 2024, my department published an update on progress implementing the Science and Technology framework: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-science-and-technology-framework/the-uk-science-and-technology-framework-update-on-progress-9-february-2024" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-science-and-technology-framework/the-uk-science-and-technology-framework-update-on-progress-9-february-2024</a></p><p> </p><p>It outlines a series of steps the government is taking over the next 12 months on the procurement strand of the Framework.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 24/04/2024 08:56:44 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1701906

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept id	208
	answering dept short name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
	hansard heading	Gaza: Aid Workers
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, with reference to the oral statement of 17 April 2024 on the Humanitarian situation in Gaza by the Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how his Department called for a wholly independent review of the killing of the World Central Kitchen aid workers; and what (a) guarantees of independence and (b) investigatory powers he has sought.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	22306
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>As the Prime Minister said in his call with Prime Minister Netanyahu on 2 April, the UK was appalled by the killing of seven World Central Kitchen aid workers, including three British nationals, in an Israeli airstrike on 1 April. The Prime Minister called for a thorough and transparent investigation into what happened. Both the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have stressed the importance of effective deconfliction.</p> answering member constituency Sutton Coldfield answering member printed Mr Andrew Mitchell question first answered 25/04/2024 16:13:56 answering member 1211 label Biography information for Mr Andrew Mitchell
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1701907

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Research: Public Sector
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to to help improve the performance of public sector research establishments.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	22307
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>Public sector research establishments are diverse organisations that deliver science and research for public good, often playing a vital role in critical infrastructure and public safety. The Government’s response, published in November 2023, to the Independent Review of the UK’s Research, Development and Innovation Organisational Landscape sets out ambitious commitments to support PSREs to maximise their capabilities and performance. Commitments include raising awareness of PSREs, reducing barriers for collaborative working across PSREs and understanding challenges within recruitment and retention for PSREs. This work is underway, and progress will be reported through the Science and Technology Framework implementation plans.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 22/04/2024 09:14:01 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1701908

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Research: Overseas Investment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps steps her Department is taking to help incentive overseas investment in research and development businesses based in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	22308
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK is a highly attractive destination for inward investment in R&amp;D with a world-class research and skills base. Foreign direct investors have invested over £2 trillion in the UK, the UK’s FDI stock has more than doubled over the last 10 years showing the confidence multinationals have in the UK as place to do business (ONS).</p><p> </p><p>Through the Science and Technology framework my department is working to improve all aspects of the R&amp;D ecosystem in the UK to support both domestic and international businesses to invest in R&amp;D.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 22/04/2024 09:23:54 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1701909

	registered interest
	date	17/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	Department for Education: Staff
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many full-time equivalent staff in her Department are working on the science and technology skills dashboard.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	22309
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 25/04/2024 answer text <p>The science and technology jobs and skills dashboard has been developed by the department’s Unit for Future Skills alongside science and technology policy experts in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. It is expected to be published in due course. Once the dashboard is published, the expectation is for it to take less than one full time-equivalent staff member to maintain and develop further.</p> answering member constituency East Hampshire answering member printed Damian Hinds question first answered 25/04/2024 16:21:30 answering member 3969 label Biography information for Damian Hinds
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1700985

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Research: Foreign Investment in UK
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, which Department is responsible for foreign direct investment into research and development in the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	21659
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is responsible for the promotion and facilitation for foreign direct investment (FDI). DSIT works closely with DBT to promote global collaboration and investment opportunities in R&amp;D.</p><p> </p><p>FDI is a key source of R&amp;D funding, accounting for 14% of UK R&amp;D investment. Our collaborative approach resulted in the successful 2023 Global Investment Summit, securing over £29 billion, including investments in AI, life sciences and quantum.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 23/04/2024 10:50:47 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1700986

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Electric Vehicles
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support the development of electric propulsion systems.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	21660
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/04/2024 answer text <p>The UK Space Agency (UKSA) is primarily supporting electric propulsion projects via our European Space Agency (ESA) membership, which has provided a total of approximately €90m funding to support development of UK electric propulsion systems to date. This includes €63m which supported UK companies to develop electric thrusters for flagship ESA missions, €6m through Horizon2020 to enable system development and upskill UK networks, and €9m to develop an independent UK end-to-end electric propulsion system. UKSA is also exploring nuclear electric propulsion for rapid interplanetary transit and novel water-based propellants for future off-world refuelling.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 24/04/2024 09:08:56 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1700987

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Disease Control: Research
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how much funding her Department has provided to support research into pandemic preparedness in the financial year 2023-24.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	21661
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/04/2024 answer text <p>DHSC are the lead department for pandemic preparedness, a core element of the UK Biological Security Strategy.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 18/04/2024 11:43:30 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1700988

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Uk Research and Innovation: UK Health Security Agency
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has taken steps to align the activities of UK Research and Innovation and the UK Health Security Agency.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	21662
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/04/2024 answer text <p>UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have complementary roles in preparing for and responding to infectious diseases threats, working in partnership with Department of Health and Social Care/National Institute Health and Care Research and Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs taking a ‘One Health’ approach. To enhance UK preparedness and resilience, UKRI works closely with UKHSA and government departments to ensure the UK has appropriate infrastructure and capabilities to prevent, detect and respond to future threats. In responding to disease outbreaks, UKRI works with UKHSA and devolved administrations, who provide vital leadership on the nature of the threats and the research questions to be addressed.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 23/04/2024 10:56:04 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1700989

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Research and Science: Business
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Higher Education Statistics Authority report entitled Higher Education Provider Data: Business and Community Interaction 2022/23, published on of 4 April 2024, what assessment her Department has made of the reasons for the decline in the number of spinouts from 2021-22 to 2022-23.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	21663
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/04/2024 answer text <p>There were five fewer spinouts owned by Higher Education Providers formed in 2022-23 compared to 2021-22 based on the Business and Community Interaction data. However, this was accompanied by an 8.9% increase in the number of spinouts surviving at least three years. The government is committed to increasing the commercialisation of university research and accepted all the recommendations of the independent review of university spinouts in November 2023.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 18/04/2024 09:28:49 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1700990

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Higher Education: Finance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the to the Higher Education Statistics Authority report entitled Higher Education Provider Data: Business and Community Interaction 2022/23 published on 4 April 2024, what assessment her department has made of the reasons for the decline in higher education income from collaborative research with business from 2021-22 to 2022-23.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	21664
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/04/2024 answer text <p>Higher education income from collaborative research with business dropped between 2021/22 and 2022/23 from £1.89bn to £1.78bn. However, this is still consistent with an upward trend from 2018/19.</p><p> </p><p>The government supports university knowledge exchange activities business, through Higher Education Innovation Funding which is currently at its highest ever level at £260m a year with an additional £20m to support business and commercialisation activities.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 18/04/2024 09:26:12 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1700991

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Innovation and Research: Infrastructure
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the UK Science and Technology Framework, last updated on 9 February 2024, what her Department's planned timetable is for publishing the long-term national plan for research and innovation infrastructure.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	21665
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/04/2024 answer text <p>As per the S&amp;T Framework update published in February, the government expects to publish a national plan for research and innovation infrastructure within 12 months.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 18/04/2024 09:30:25 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1700992

	registered interest
	date	15/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Science and Technology: Foreign Investment in UK
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the UK Science and Technology Framework, last updated on 9 February 2024, what assessment her Department has made of its progress against the goal of working with industry and philanthropic partners to increase inward investment by Summer Recess 2023.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	21666
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/04/2024 answer text <p>DSIT has made significant strides towards enhancing collaboration with industry and philanthropic partners to bolster investment.</p><p> </p><p>Last year’s successful Global Investment Summit attracted more than £29 billion, including landmark investments in AI, life sciences and quantum. We will continue to build on our collaborative approach to increase philanthropic and private investment, including working with DBT and the Office for Investment, to further our investment ambitions.</p><p> </p><p>We announced £25 million for UK Biobank conditional on philanthropic match-funding within a consortium. So far, we have secured £16 million from philanthropists Eric Schmidt and Ken Griffin, and work is underway to secure further donations.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 18/04/2024 10:08:17 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1697767

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Business and Trade
	answering dept id	214
	answering dept short name	Business and Trade
	answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
	hansard heading	Arms Trade: Israel
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the value of arms exports to Israel was in each of the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	19867
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>HM Government publishes data on export licensing decisions on a quarterly basis in the Official Statistics, including data on outcome, end user destination, overall value, type (e.g. military, other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. This data is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.</a></p> answering member constituency Chelsea and Fulham answering member printed Greg Hands grouped question UIN 19868 question first answered 26/03/2024 17:31:20 answering member 1526 label Biography information for Greg Hands
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1697768

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Business and Trade
	answering dept id	214
	answering dept short name	Business and Trade
	answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
	hansard heading	Arms Trade: Israel
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what data her Department holds on the use of (a) arms and (b) non arms exports to Israel.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	19868
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>HM Government publishes data on export licensing decisions on a quarterly basis in the Official Statistics, including data on outcome, end user destination, overall value, type (e.g. military, other) and a summary of the items covered by these licences. This data is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.</a></p> answering member constituency Chelsea and Fulham answering member printed Greg Hands grouped question UIN 19867 question first answered 26/03/2024 17:31:20 answering member 1526 label Biography information for Greg Hands
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1697869

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	London North Eastern Railway: Fares
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions his Department has had with London North Eastern Railway on the trial of the Simpler Fares pilot scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	19869
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The Department supported LNER to introduce its Simpler Fares trial and officials regularly meet with LNER to discuss progress. During the trial, the majority of passengers will find fixed or semi flexible fares to be the same or cheaper than the old super off-peak fare, and there will be more fixed fares available than before. LNER estimate as of 6th February that 55% of semi flexible tickets sold were cheaper than the old super off peak ticket.</p><p>The trial will be evaluated to understand its impact on passengers, and gather passenger feedback. The evaluation will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bexhill and Battle answering member printed Huw Merriman grouped question UIN 19870 19871 question first answered 26/03/2024 13:43:37 answering member 4442 label Biography information for Huw Merriman
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1697870

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	London North Eastern Railway: Fares
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to respond to feedback from passengers on the London North Eastern Railway Simpler Fares pilot scheme.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	19870
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The Department supported LNER to introduce its Simpler Fares trial and officials regularly meet with LNER to discuss progress. During the trial, the majority of passengers will find fixed or semi flexible fares to be the same or cheaper than the old super off-peak fare, and there will be more fixed fares available than before. LNER estimate as of 6th February that 55% of semi flexible tickets sold were cheaper than the old super off peak ticket.</p><p>The trial will be evaluated to understand its impact on passengers, and gather passenger feedback. The evaluation will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bexhill and Battle answering member printed Huw Merriman grouped question UIN 19869 19871 question first answered 26/03/2024 13:43:37 answering member 4442 label Biography information for Huw Merriman
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1697871

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	London North Eastern Railway: Fares
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the London North Eastern Railway Simpler Fares pilot scheme on the average cost to passengers.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	19871
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The Department supported LNER to introduce its Simpler Fares trial and officials regularly meet with LNER to discuss progress. During the trial, the majority of passengers will find fixed or semi flexible fares to be the same or cheaper than the old super off-peak fare, and there will be more fixed fares available than before. LNER estimate as of 6th February that 55% of semi flexible tickets sold were cheaper than the old super off peak ticket.</p><p>The trial will be evaluated to understand its impact on passengers, and gather passenger feedback. The evaluation will be published in due course.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bexhill and Battle answering member printed Huw Merriman grouped question UIN 19869 19870 question first answered 26/03/2024 13:43:37 answering member 4442 label Biography information for Huw Merriman
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1697872

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Transport
	answering dept id	27
	answering dept short name	Transport
	answering dept sort name	Transport
	hansard heading	East West Rail Line
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of East West Rail on science and technology activities in locations on that route.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	19872
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The Government has a strong desire to maintain and enhance our position as a global science and technology superpower and we recognise the importance of the Oxford-Cambridge region as a globally renowned hub of science, research and innovation, with businesses and universities that are leading the way in life sciences, space and green technologies. At the East West Rail Route Update Announcement in May 2023, it was reconfirmed that East West Rail would approach to Cambridge from the south, serving the new Cambridge South station, and promoting greater economic growth given the proximity of the Biomedical Campus to Cambridge South station.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bexhill and Battle answering member printed Huw Merriman question first answered 26/03/2024 13:41:23 answering member 4442 label Biography information for Huw Merriman
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1697874

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Business and Trade
	answering dept id	214
	answering dept short name	Business and Trade
	answering dept sort name	Business and Trade
	hansard heading	Foreign Investment in UK: Science and Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether her Department supports foreign investment in science and technology by region.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	19873
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>Investment is at the very heart of the UK economy - it supports economic growth, creates jobs and enables improvements in productivity for new and existing firms. It is also essential for successful delivery of the Government's objective to make the UK a science and technology superpower by 2030.</p><p>The Department for Business and Trade promotes a range of investment opportunities across the science &amp; technology sector. DBT works to attract foreign corporates to the UK, developing compelling investment propositions for DBT's international network to bring to prospective investors, this includes both sector-wide and place-based opportunities. DBT has dedicated based staff across the UK who work with the DAs/their agencies, wider DBT teams, Office for Investment and other UK government departments to deliver investment in priority areas, including science and technology. DBT teams work closely with partners to deliver events to attract investment, such as the Northern Ireland Investment Summit that was held in Belfast, September 2023.</p><p>The UK has 13 new Investment Zones which will benefit from £160 million each of Government funding to unlock foreign investment across priority sectors, especially science and technology, with a focus on driving innovation and creating quality jobs. These will be new hubs for investment and innovation across the UK and the funding spread over 10 years, will be spent on fiscal incentives and/or flexible spend to support attracting FDI. In line with the government's levelling up objectives, they are established in places with significant unmet productivity potential, where existing strengths and assets aligned to priority sectors can be leveraged to increase opportunities for local communities. Investment Zones will be established in partnership between central government, local government, research institutions and the private sector. The Investment Opportunity Fund is intended to double down on the objectives of Freeports and Investment Zones by providing a flexible, agile pot of funding that government can use to secure and respond to opportunities in these areas as they emerge.</p> answering member constituency Thirsk and Malton answering member printed Kevin Hollinrake question first answered 26/03/2024 17:53:40 answering member 4474 label Biography information for Kevin Hollinrake
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1697876

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Disability: North East
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of the working age population are disabled in the North East; and how many and what proportion were disabled in 2010.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	19874
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>The information requested is shown in the table below.</p><p> </p><p>The definition of disability changed in 2013 therefore estimates for 2010 and 2022 are not directly comparable.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Number and percentage of disabled people aged 16 to 64 by country/region</strong></p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2"><p>Country/ region</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>2010</p></td><td colspan="2"><p>2022</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Number of disabled people</p></td><td><p>Percentage of disabled people</p></td><td><p>Number of disabled people</p></td><td><p>Percentage of disabled people</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>United Kingdom</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> 8,257,200 </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>20.5</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> 9,311,800 </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>22.4</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>North East</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> 399,400 </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>24.0</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> 429,500 </strong></p></td><td><p><strong>26.4</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>North West</p></td><td><p>1,012,200</p></td><td><p>22.5</p></td><td><p>1,111,300</p></td><td><p>24.7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Yorkshire and The Humber</p></td><td><p>738,500</p></td><td><p>21.9</p></td><td><p>818,200</p></td><td><p>24.2</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>East Midlands</p></td><td><p>629,200</p></td><td><p>21.8</p></td><td><p>712,500</p></td><td><p>24.1</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>West Midlands</p></td><td><p>720,900</p></td><td><p>20.5</p></td><td><p>819,300</p></td><td><p>22.6</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>East</p></td><td><p>729,400</p></td><td><p>19.9</p></td><td><p>790,200</p></td><td><p>20.8</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>London</p></td><td><p>935,500</p></td><td><p>16.9</p></td><td><p>1,092,600</p></td><td><p>17.7</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South East</p></td><td><p>992,100</p></td><td><p>18.3</p></td><td><p>1,144,800</p></td><td><p>20.4</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>South West</p></td><td><p>653,600</p></td><td><p>20.0</p></td><td><p>766,900</p></td><td><p>22.9</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Wales</p></td><td><p>469,200</p></td><td><p>24.4</p></td><td><p>506,600</p></td><td><p>26.5</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Scotland</p></td><td><p>746,500</p></td><td><p>21.9</p></td><td><p>861,200</p></td><td><p>25.0</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Northern Ireland</p></td><td><p>230,700</p></td><td><p>19.9</p></td><td><p>258,700</p></td><td><p>22.1</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Source: Annual Population Survey (APS) -<a href="https://www.nomisweb.co.uk/datasets/apsnew" target="_blank">Nomis - Official Census and Labour Market Statistics (nomisweb.co.uk)</a></p><p> </p><p>Notes:</p><p> </p><ul><li>Numbers are rounded to the nearest 100 and percentages to one decimal place.</li><li>Totals may not always sum due to rounding and the exclusion of missing, unknown and not applicable categories.</li><li>Numbers shown are central estimates and subject to sampling variation. The precision of these estimates will be limited by sample size.</li><li>Annual Population Survey data has not been reweighted to incorporate the latest estimates of the size and composition of the UK population.</li><li>Estimates for 2010 are based on the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) definition of disability. Estimates for 2022 use the Government Statistical Service (GSS) Harmonised Standard definition.</li></ul> answering member constituency Mid Sussex answering member printed Mims Davies question first answered 26/03/2024 14:04:36 answering member 4513 label Biography information for Mims Davies
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1697877

	registered interest
	date	21/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	State Retirement Pensions: Women
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to formally respond to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's report into the communication of state pension age increases, published on 21 March 2024.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	19875
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2024 answer text <p>We are considering the Ombudsman’s report and will respond in due course.</p> answering member constituency Blackpool North and Cleveleys answering member printed Paul Maynard question first answered 26/03/2024 15:49:14 answering member 3926 label Biography information for Paul Maynard
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1698712

	registered interest
	date	20/03/2024
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Prison and Probation Service: Labour Turnover
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he has taken to help increase the retention rate of staff in HM Prison and Probation Service.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	902217
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/03/2024 answer text <p>Safe, decent, rehabilitative prisons require excellent and experienced staff, as does supervising offenders in the community to keep the public safe.</p><p>We want them to stay in the Prison Service and to support retention, we have:</p><ul><li><p>Accepted every penny of the Prisons Service PRB pay recommendations for 2023/24.</p></li><li><p>Injected extra funding of more than £155 million a year since 2021 to support Probation staff to deliver more robust supervision.</p></li><li><p>Rolled out BWV to every officer, to help protect staff by defusing volatile situations.</p></li><li><p>Introduced a New Colleague Mentor scheme to help new recruits feel supported in their early weeks and months.</p></li></ul><p>Retention for prison officers is improving, with the staff resignation rate dropping from around 10.7% to around 8.3% over the last year to December 2023.</p> answering member constituency Charnwood answering member printed Edward Argar question first answered 27/03/2024 13:05:24 answering member 4362 label Biography information for Edward Argar
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1696612

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2024
	answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept id	216
	answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
	hansard heading	Life Sciences: Technology
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled UK Science and Technology Framework, published on 6 March 2023, whether references in that paper to engineering biology include (a) gene therapy, (b) vaccine development and (c) other life sciences technologies.
	tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
	tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
	uin	19052
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/03/2024 answer text <p>DSIT’s definition of engineering biology is set out in the National Vision for Engineering Biology, published in December 2023. Engineering biology includes products or services whose development draws on the tools of synthetic biology. This would capture all gene therapies, and vaccine and life science technologies which are developed using these tools. Engineering biology also delivers applications in other sectors of the economy including agriculture and chemicals.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 21/03/2024 09:21:42 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah