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1463487

	registered interest
	date	17/05/2022
	answering body	Department for Education
	answering dept id	60
	answering dept short name	Education
	answering dept sort name	Education
	hansard heading	STEM Subjects: Apprentices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of 19,000 apprentices contributions in the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors on the promotion of STEM throughout the UK.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	3560
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/05/2022 answer text <p>The department recognises the critical value of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) in driving the economy and productivity. Ensuring that anyone, regardless of their background, can pursue a career in a STEM occupation is a key priority for this government.</p><p>Apprenticeships are a great way for people to receive high-quality training and begin, or progress in, a successful STEM career. The department has put employers at the heart of our apprenticeship system, empowering them to design the standards they need with the help of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. There are over 340 employer-designed apprenticeship standards in STEM, including Cyber Security Technician at level 3, Space Engineer Technician at level 4 and Aero Space Engineer (degree) at level 6.</p><p>It is encouraging to see that in the 2021/22 academic year, there were 66,000 apprenticeship starts in STEM, making up 32.3% of all apprenticeship starts that year.</p><p>The department continues to promote apprenticeships in schools through the Apprenticeship Support &amp; Knowledge programme and is working with our Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network of influential employers such as Siemens, Bombardier, and Rolls-Royce to promote best practices in recruiting and retaining people from all backgrounds in STEM apprenticeships.</p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart question first answered 24/05/2022 11:41:27 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1670720

	registered interest
	date	16/11/2023
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	National Security
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent steps his Department is taking to strengthen national security.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	900260
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2023 answer text <p>The Cabinet Office leads on, and coordinates across government, key elements of the UK’s national security policy. This includes the development and implementation of the Integrated Review Refresh. Published in March, the Refresh updated the government’s security, defence, development and foreign policy priorities to reflect changes in the global context since the Integrated Review 2021. Flowing from this, the Cabinet Office has played a key role in developing and overseeing the National Cyber Strategy, National Security and Investment Programme, and the Biological Security Strategy. The department is taking essential steps to ensure delivery of these and other issues.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Specific recent outcomes include the launch of the National Security and Investment Act call for evidence, and the leading role the department has played in coordinating the government’s response to several international and domestic crises.</p><p><strong></strong><br><br></p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart question first answered 23/11/2023 18:36:31 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1682320

	registered interest
	date	11/01/2024
	answering body	Cabinet Office
	answering dept id	53
	answering dept short name	Cabinet Office
	answering dept sort name	Cabinet Office
	hansard heading	National Security
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps his Department is taking to strengthen national security.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	901027
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/01/2024 answer text <p>The Cabinet Office leads and coordinates the UK’s national security crisis response through the Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR), and national security policy through the National Security Council structures. This includes the National Cyber Strategy, National Security and Investment Programme, and the Biological Security Strategy, all of which the department is taking essential steps to deliver.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Key successes in 2023 included publishing the Integrated Review Refresh, passing the National Security Act, launching the Emergency Alerting scheme and delivering the Atlantic Declaration and risk elements of the AI Summit. So far in 2024, we have launched a new Strategic Dialogue on Biological Security with the US and continued to coordinate the response to the conflict in Gaza and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Brentwood and Ongar answering member printed Alex Burghart question first answered 18/01/2024 17:56:42 answering member 4613 label Biography information for Alex Burghart
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1288060

	registered interest
	date	22/02/2021
	answering body	Ministry of Justice
	answering dept id	54
	answering dept short name	Justice
	answering dept sort name	Justice
	hansard heading	Child Trust Fund: Learning Disability
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 22 February 2021 to Question 153196, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of including parent and voluntary sector representation on the cross-government working group that has been established to look at the issues raised in relation to accessing matured Child Trust Funds (CTFs) in light of the Mental Capacity Act.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	156336
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/03/2021 answer text <p>A cross-government working group has been convened to consider the issues raised in relation to access to matured Child Trust Funds for those who lack mental capacity. The group has representation from Her Majesty’s Treasury, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Justice. Learning Disability England and MENCAP are also engaged and providing valuable input to this work. We recognise that there are many individuals and advocacy groups who have an interest in this work, and we will ensure that we continue to engage with interested groups as proposals develop.</p> answering member constituency Cheltenham answering member printed Alex Chalk question first answered 02/03/2021 14:34:09 answering member 4481 label Biography information for Alex Chalk
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1180967

	registered interest
	date	26/02/2020
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Vaccination: Research
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of directing UKRI to fund research into platform vaccine and diagnostic tools to support the development of vaccines during a potential pandemic.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	21237
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/03/2020 answer text <p>We work with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Department for International Development, and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to support research on platform vaccine technologies and diagnostic tools that can be utilised as a rapid response during a pandemic. These form a component of the current DHSC and UKRI COVID-19 rapid-response call for proposals to address the threat of this novel coronavirus. Platform vaccines and diagnostics are an integral part of UKRI’s current approach for the development and translation of research findings into tangible benefits, with research funded across UKRI councils</p><p> </p><p>DHSC and UKRI lead the UK Vaccine Network which brings together funders, industry and academia to identify and target investment opportunities for the most promising vaccines and vaccine technologies, including platform vaccine and diagnostic tools to combat infectious diseases with epidemic potential and to address structural issues related to the UK’s vaccine infrastructure.</p><p> </p><p>Through the Network two vaccine manufacturing hubs have been established to streamline vaccine manufacturing. A £10 million award to Professor Robin Shuttock at Imperial College London aims to revolutionise the vaccine manufacture, stabilisation and storage, reducing costs, increasing efficiency and improving prevention of existing and new diseases. A £7 million award to Professor Tarit Mukhopadhyay at University College London aims to establish the UK as a global centre for vaccine discovery, development and manufacture, while also ensuring that new vaccine manufacturing processes can be used in low and middle income countries.</p> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 03/03/2020 16:02:27 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1285630

	registered interest
	date	10/02/2021
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Coronavirus: Vaccination
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans his Department has to (a) conduct and (b) provide funding for external organisations to conduct research into the effectiveness of covid-19 vaccinations for (a) people with blood cancer and (b) other immunocompromised people.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	152472
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/02/2021 answer text <p>UKRI is currently funding one study of direct relevance to these areas. UKRI has allocated an initial £1.8 million to the OCTAVE study, led by Professor Iain McInnes, University of Glasgow, for a twelve-month period, and is considering a case for additional funding beyond this. OCTAVE is supporting research on vaccine responses in groups of immune-supressed individuals, including those with inflammatory disorders, high risk cancer patient groups, and patients with severe kidney and liver disease. Cancer patient groups include chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, myeloma, acute leukaemia, and bone marrow transplants. As the OCTAVE study is being managed as a single project it is not possible to give costs for the individual groups.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, there are proposals on vaccine responses in high-risk clinical groups under consideration as part of the UKRI COVID-19 Agile call, with announcements to be made shortly. Furthermore, UKRI continues to accept applications for COVID-19 related research, including on this topic, through its active calls, which can be found on the UKRI website.</p> answering member constituency Derby North answering member printed Amanda Solloway question first answered 26/02/2021 12:13:53 answering member 4372 label Biography information for Amanda Solloway
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1627701

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2023
	answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept id	215
	answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	hansard heading	Electric Vehicles: Charging Points
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the impact of giving Ofgem responsibility for delivering a net-zero economy on the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	185179
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2023 answer text <p>The Government has published a draft Strategy &amp; Policy Statement for energy policy, making clear Ofgem’s role in promoting our net zero targets. The recent amendment by the House of Lords to Ofgem’s decarbonisation duty is being considered.</p><p> </p><p>Of the £22.2bn allowed as part of the current electricity distribution network price control, set by Ofgem, £3.1bn has been allocated for network upgrades to allow for the installation of low carbon technologies, like electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The role out of charging infrastructure is also being supported by the government’s Rapid Charging Fund and the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund.</p> answering member constituency West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine answering member printed Andrew Bowie question first answered 22/05/2023 08:42:22 answering member 4601 label Biography information for Andrew Bowie
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1627704

	registered interest
	date	15/05/2023
	answering body	Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept id	215
	answering dept short name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	answering dept sort name	Energy Security and Net Zero
	hansard heading	Electric Vehicles: Charging Points
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of grid constraints on the ability to charge electric vehicles in rural areas.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	185178
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 22/05/2023 answer text <p>Ofgem is responsible for regulating electricity network companies to deliver their infrastructure. As part of the recent electricity distribution network price control, of the £22.2bn allowed, Ofgem has allowed networks £3.1bn for network upgrades. This will ensure that low carbon technologies, such as electric vehicle charge points, can be installed across Great Britain, including in rural areas.</p> answering member constituency West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine answering member printed Andrew Bowie question first answered 22/05/2023 08:43:31 answering member 4601 label Biography information for Andrew Bowie
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1678214

	registered interest
	date	14/12/2023
	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	BGI Group and MGI Tech
	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 oral contribution of the Minister of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, during the debate on Genomics and national security of 8 March 2023, Official Report column 120WH, what steps she is taking to investigate the national security risks associated with (i) BGI Group and (ii) MGI Tech.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	7020
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/12/2023 answer text <p>Organisations which hold sensitive biological data are subject to the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In addition, organisations such as Genomics England, UK Biobank and NIHR BioResource actively consider national security in decision making about partnerships with companies overseas.</p><p>As part of the new UK Biological Security Strategy, the Government is undertaking a programme of work to assess how we can minimise the risks from biological data to protect our burgeoning bioeconomy, without stifling innovation, and build confidence in sharing personal data to improve health outcomes in the UK and across the world. The Office for Life Sciences has begun this work, in consultation with relevant Departments and Agencies across Government, and key partners such as Genomics England and UK Biobank.</p> answering member constituency Arundel and South Downs answering member printed Andrew Griffith question first answered 19/12/2023 16:50:21 answering member 4874 label Biography information for Andrew Griffith
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith

1145484

	registered interest
	date	24/09/2019
	answering body	Department for International Development
	answering dept id	20
	answering dept short name	International Development
	answering dept sort name	International Development
	hansard heading	Developing Countries: Taxation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department is taking to help strengthen tax systems of developing countries.
	tabling member constituency	Crawley
	tabling member printed	Henry Smith
	uin	290316
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/09/2019 answer text <p>The UK is committed to supporting countries to achieve the Global Goals, including working actively with countries to help raise and manage public revenues, and thereby to invest in their public services and infrastructure.</p><p> </p><p>In February 2019 we announced a new £47 million package of support to assist developing countries in strengthening their tax systems. This package will provide technical assistance and capacity building support through a number of partners. It will also help contribute to economic growth by helping to tackle tax avoidance and evasion, and by creating a more level playing field for businesses. In addition to this new package of support, the UK has a number of other initiatives underway to help strengthen tax systems; in August 2018 DFID Ethiopia launched a £35 million programme to support the Ethiopian government in transforming the country’s tax system, and HMRC’s Capacity Building Unit provides peer-to-peer expertise to raise the standards of tax systems of developing countries.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 30/09/2019 15:47:27 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
	tabling member	3960 label Biography information for Henry Smith