The genomics sector is not currently designated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). There is a strict framework for classification: CNI assets and systems are those that have been assessed as having a significant and catastrophic impact to the functioning of the UK \u2013 either through the loss of life or limb, on the economy, or national security, defence or the functioning of the state \u2013 should they be disrupted or compromised. The threshold is a high bar so that resources are focused on the highest priority, and most critical, assets and systems.<\/p>
There are strong and sufficient provisions protecting UK genomics databases, including through the UK Data Protection Act (2018), which delivers a data protection framework tailored to the needs of our criminal justice agencies and intelligence services. The relevant genomics data is additionally held within Secure Data Environments, affording further security protections.<\/p>
As with all parts of the CNI landscape, we commit to keeping this position under review.<\/p>
<\/strong> The Cabinet Office leads and coordinates the UK\u2019s 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> <\/strong><\/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\u2019s illegal invasion of Ukraine.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4613", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Alex Burghart"}
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, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "What steps his Department is taking to strengthen national security.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3960", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Henry Smith"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1670720", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1670720/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The Cabinet Office leads on, and coordinates across government, key elements of the UK\u2019s national security policy. This includes the development and implementation of the Integrated Review Refresh. Published in March, the Refresh updated the government\u2019s 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> <\/strong><\/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\u2019s response to several international and domestic crises.<\/p> <\/strong> This government will continue to prioritise supporting veterans with their mental health needs. There is a range of statutory support for veterans across the UK, including the bespoke mental health service for veterans in England: Op COURAGE.<\/p> Charities continue to play a vital role in helping veterans with their mental health, and I pay tribute to them for all they do. The Government provided £20m in 2021 to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to support Service charities comprising the £10m annual allocation plus extra £10m announced in the 2021 Budget. In addition, we provided £5m through the Afghanistan Veterans\u2019 Fund. These funds included provision for initiatives to improve capacity in mental health and wellbeing provision, and suicide prevention.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p>"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what additional support the Government is providing to Armed Forces charities to help increase the capacity and delivery of (a) mental health and (b) suicide prevention initiatives for veterans.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1451869", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Cabinet Office"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1451869/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " To reveal demand and forecasts for National Security Vetting (NSV) is likely to prejudice national security. It would also impact the protective measures employed in safeguarding Her Majesty\u2019s Government (HMG). This information is therefore exempt under Section 24 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.<\/p> <\/strong><\/p> Notwithstanding the above, UKSV works closely with customer groups and decision-making authorities to understand their forecasted demand for the provision of vetting services. In turn this allows for an appropriate resourcing forecast.<\/p> <\/p>"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of (a) the number of counter terrorist checks expected to be made in 2022, (b) the number of counter terrorist checks expected to be made in 2022 for workers in the aviation sector and (c) the resources to ensure these checks are completed in a timely manner.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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<\/p>"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the Deputy Prime Minister's oral statement of 11 September 2023 on Security Update, Official Report, column 673, whether he has made an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential merits of designating the genomics sector as Critical National Infrastructure.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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<\/p>"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent steps his Department is taking to strengthen national security.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
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