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1193515

	registered interest
	date	06/05/2020
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Parental Leave
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps the Government is taking to make it easier for people to share parental leave.
	tabling member constituency	Bridgend
	tabling member printed	Dr Jamie Wallis
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	902305
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2020 answer text <p>We are evaluating our Shared Parental Leave and Pay scheme, which will allow us to gather information on the barriers and enablers to take up. We are also working on a digital tool to help parents understand the options available to them and make it easier to access Shared Parental Leave.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 06/05/2020 16:49:15 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4766 label Biography information for Dr Jamie Wallis

1193516

	registered interest
	date	06/05/2020
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Females: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What assessment she has made of whether the covid-19 outbreak has had a disproportionate effect on women's job security.
	tabling member constituency	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
	tabling member printed	Drew Hendry
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	902294
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government is actively monitoring the impact of Covid-19 on the labour market, including the impact on women and on other groups.</p><p>However, it is too early to draw any firm conclusions. The next ONS labour market statistics will be released in May, covering the 3-month period up to the end of March. Analysis of this and other data will provide an indication of early impacts of Covid-19 on the labour market.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 06/05/2020 16:48:16 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4467 label Biography information for Drew Hendry

1193519

	registered interest
	date	06/05/2020
	answering body	Women and Equalities
	answering dept id	31
	answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
	answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
	hansard heading	Pregnancy: Coronavirus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps the Government has taken to support pregnant women unable to work during the covid-19 outbreak.
	tabling member constituency	Gower
	tabling member printed	Tonia Antoniazzi
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	902304
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2020 answer text <p>Covid-19 is particularly challenging for those in vulnerable groups, including pregnant women.</p><p>Pregnant women can be furloughed if the employer and employee agree to this. Where this happens, the Government has amended the law to ensure they do not lose out on maternity and parental pay.</p><p>Employers should review their risk assessments for pregnant women, considering also the risk of severe illness for the shielding group. In some circumstances, medically suspending the woman may be appropriate.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 06/05/2020 16:48:53 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4623 label Biography information for Tonia Antoniazzi

1582417

	registered interest
	date	31/01/2023
	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	ICT: Vacancies
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the (a) number of vacancies and (b) level of skills within the (i) IT programming, (ii) IT hardware and network engineering, (iii) cybersecurity and (iv) data analysis sectors.
	tabling member constituency	Chesterfield
	tabling member printed	Mr Toby Perkins
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	136578
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/02/2023 answer text <p>DCMS <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dcms-sector-economic-estimates-workforce-2021/dcms-sectors-economic-estimates-workforce-january-to-december-2021" target="_blank">publishes</a> rolling employment estimates for DCMS sectors. As of 2021, the Digital sector was made up of 1.8 million filled jobs, an increase of 108 thousand (6.3%) compared to the previous calendar year and 249 thousand (16.0%) since 2019. DCMS also published an assessment of the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessing-the-uks-regional-digital-ecosystems" target="_blank">UK’s regional digital ecosystems</a>, which has information on digital occupations and skills gaps for each UK region.</p><ol><li><p>IT programming</p></li></ol><p>Consistent with the trend of previous years, in 2021,<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dcms-sector-economic-estimates-workforce-2021/dcms-sectors-economic-estimates-workforce-january-to-december-2021" target="_blank"> employment growth in the Digital Sector</a> was particularly driven by the “IT, software and computer services” (960 thousand filled jobs) and “Computer programming, consultancy and related activities” (967 thousand filled jobs). Within the “IT, software and computer services” sub-sector, employment increased by 88 thousand filled jobs, while the same increase stood at 82 thousand within the “Computer programming, consultancy and related activities” sub-sector. There were over 94k vacancies in total for Software, Java, Full stack and Front-end developers in 2022 <a href="https://technation.io/people-and-skills-report-2022/#tech-job-vacancies" target="_blank">(People and Skills report, 2022)</a>. <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/807830/No_Longer_Optional_Employer_Demand_for_Digital_Skills.pdf" target="_blank">Burning glass </a>found that programming skills are not required in isolation. In IT roles, 25% of the skills required are employability skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving.</p><ol start="2"><li><p>IT hardware and network engineering</p></li></ol><p>Engineering and security are in the top five most required skills for tech vacancies in 2021 <a href="https://technation.io/people-and-skills-report-2022/#tech-job-vacancies" target="_blank">(People and Skills report, 2022)</a>. The percentage of businesses in the ‘manufacturing and electronics and computers’ sub-sector with at least one skills gap in their workforce was estimated to be 17.4% (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dcms-sectors-skills-shortages-and-skills-gaps-2019#:~:text=21.4%25%20of%20DCMS%20Sector%20vacancies,with%205.5%25%20of%20All%20Sectors." target="_blank">DCMS sector skills shortages and skills gaps</a>). The highest number of network engineering vacancies advertised in 2019/ 2020 was in the South East England (12.6K) followed by South West England (5.6K), West Midlands (5.4K) and East of England (4.3K) (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessing-the-uks-regional-digital-ecosystems" target="_blank">UK’s regional digital ecosystems</a>). The percentage of ‘telecoms’ companies with at least one skills gap in their workforce was estimated to be 9.1% (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/dcms-sectors-skills-shortages-and-skills-gaps-2019#:~:text=21.4%25%20of%20DCMS%20Sector%20vacancies,with%205.5%25%20of%20All%20Sectors." target="_blank">DCMS sector skills shortages and skills gaps</a>).</p><ol start="3"><li><p>Cybersecurity</p></li></ol><p>The DCMS-commissioned <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1072767/Cyber_security_skills_in_the_UK_labour_market_2022_-_findings_report.pdf" target="_blank">2022 cyber security labour market survey</a> estimates the cyber security sector requires approximately 21,600 individuals per year to meet demand. Around 7,500 individuals entered the cyber workforce in 2021, suggesting an annual shortfall of around 14,100. Increasing the number of people with good cyber security skills is a key objective in the government's £2.6 billion National Cyber Strategy.</p><ol start="4"><li><p>Data analysis</p></li></ol><p>DCMS analysis published in 2021 found that UK businesses were recruiting for 178,000 - 234,000 roles that require technical data skills, and almost half (46%) of companies recruiting struggled to fill these roles (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/quantifying-the-uk-data-skills-gap/quantifying-the-uk-data-skills-gap-full-report#:~:text=Define%20the%20%27data%20skills%20gap,the%20demand%20for%20%27data%20skills%27" target="_blank">Quantifying the UK Data Skills Gap</a>). To assess demand for digital skills, DCMS worked with <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/807830/No_Longer_Optional_Employer_Demand_for_Digital_Skills.pdf" target="_blank">Burning Glass</a> to develop a skills projections model. This model identifies data analysis as the cluster likely to grow fastest over the next five years. DCMS have rolled out the highly successful pilot of degree conversion courses in data science which aims to widen the pipeline of talent entering the IT sector. The scholarships ensure the AI that is built and used in the UK reflects the needs and make-up of society.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 09/02/2023 16:50:57 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	3952 label Biography information for Mr Toby Perkins

1582808

	registered interest
	date	01/02/2023
	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	Semiconductors
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when the forthcoming UK Semiconductor Strategy will be published.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow North West
	tabling member printed	Carol Monaghan
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	137859
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2023 answer text <p>The government has been reviewing the UK semiconductor sector and is leading the development of a strategic approach to the sector. The government intends to set out more detail in the forthcoming UK Semiconductor Strategy that will be published in due course.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 08/02/2023 17:44:05 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4443 label Biography information for Carol Monaghan

1583372

	registered interest
	date	02/02/2023
	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	Broadband: Prices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has had recent discussions with the Competition and Markets Authority on mid-contract price increases on (a) mobile and (b) broadband contracts.
	tabling member constituency	East Ham
	tabling member printed	Sir Stephen Timms
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	138267
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/02/2023 answer text <p>This is clearly a very difficult time for families up and down the country who are struggling to pay their bills as a result of the global rise in the cost of living.</p><p>On 23 January, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport met with Chief Executives from major broadband and mobile providers at which she asked them to consider carefully the need, at this time, for above inflation price increases and highlighted the impact they may have on those already struggling to pay their bills.</p><p>In addition, Ofcom, the telecoms regulator, has rules in its General Conditions which ensure that any price increases which may occur during the length of the contract are clear, transparent and prominent at the point of sale.</p><p>Both the Competition and Markets Authority and Ofcom are independent. The government engages regularly with Ofcom on matters relating to affordability of communication services, and we continue to carefully monitor retail pricing in the sector.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 08/02/2023 17:40:07 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	163 label Biography information for Sir Stephen Timms

1584446

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2023
	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	Technology: New Businesses
	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 help increase the growth of regional technology (a) start-ups and (b) scale-ups.
	tabling member constituency	Solihull
	tabling member printed	Julian Knight
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	140188
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/02/2023 answer text <p>We are proud that the UK’s start up and scale up tech ecosystem was recently valued at over £1 trillion and that the UK is only the third country in the world to have a tech sector reach this valuation. We are committed to ensuring the benefits and growth of the tech sector are felt in all corners of the country.</p><p>We are supporting businesses across the UK through investment. The £12 million Digital Growth Grant will continue to support companies across the UK to access finance and business advice through tailored growth programmes and events. In addition, the £2.6 billion UKSPF fund encourages areas across the UK to consider interventions to support and grow their local tech ecosystems.</p><p>Tailored support and localised interventions will be important to successful economic growth across the regions. We published a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/assessing-the-uks-regional-digital-ecosystems" target="_blank">Regional Tech Ecosystems report</a>, which identified several regions as digital and tech growth hubs across the UK and aims to better understand the drivers of growth at a local level.</p><p>Government engagement with the tech community is one of the key levers used to understand the needs of the sector, whilst also promoting the sector's success. Ministers engage frequently with the sector through roundtable discussions and bilaterals to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing growth, such as those conducted whilst developing our Digital Strategy. From a promotional perspective, Ministers often proactively engage with regional tech events, such as Birmingham Tech Week, and utilise the Department’s convening power to highlight the importance of regional investment. The department’s communication strategies further champion the regional ecosystems through promotion of regional success stories to a national and international audience.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 16/02/2023 12:04:33 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4410 label Biography information for Julian Knight

1584635

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2023
	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	Broadband: Prices
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with Ofcom on the affordability of broadband and increased network service prices in 2022-23.
	tabling member constituency	Ynys Môn
	tabling member printed	Virginia Crosbie
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	140388
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/02/2023 answer text <p>Ofcom, the independent regulator, has a statutory duty to monitor the affordability in the telecoms market. My department engages regularly with them on matters relating to the affordability of broadband and other telecoms services.</p><p>With regards to network service prices, DCMS engages regularly with Ofcom on matters associated with the wholesale market. Openreach’s prices are regulated by Ofcom as part of its five-year <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/216085/wftmr-statement-volume-1-overview.pdf" target="_blank">Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review</a> (WFTMR) process, and have been allowed to increase by CPI in order to reflect the significant additional costs faced when deploying new physical infrastructure.</p><p>We recognise that this is clearly a difficult time for families up and down the country who are struggling to pay their bills as a result of the global rise in the cost of living.</p><p>On 23 January, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport met with Chief Executives from major broadband and mobile providers at which she asked them to consider carefully the need, at this time, for above inflation price increases and highlighted the impact they may have on those already struggling to pay their bills.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 09/02/2023 16:52:13 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4859 label Biography information for Virginia Crosbie

1584686

	registered interest
	date	06/02/2023
	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	Pornography
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what representations her Department has received from the pornography industry in the last 12 months; and how many meetings her Department has had with representatives of the industry in that time.
	tabling member constituency	Penistone and Stocksbridge
	tabling member printed	Miriam Cates
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	140410
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/02/2023 answer text <p>Ministers and officials have regular meetings and discussions with a wide range of online safety stakeholders on a variety of issues. Details of Ministerial meetings are published on the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Gov.uk</a> website every quarter.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 15/02/2023 12:00:20 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	4865 label Biography information for Miriam Cates

1584812

	registered interest
	date	07/02/2023
	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	Public Libraries: Closures
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the impact of library closures on trends in the level of digital exclusion.
	tabling member constituency	Worsley and Eccles South
	tabling member printed	Barbara Keeley
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	141365
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/02/2023 answer text <p>Although there have been library closures, an extensive network of libraries remains across England delivering services including digital to local residents. There has been no assessment made of the impact of library closures on trends in the level of digital exclusion. There are over 2,900 libraries across England, and while there have been closures, they continue to be a well used service, providing a trusted network of accessible locations with trained staff and volunteers, free wifi and public PCs, and assisted digital access to a wide range of digital services.</p><p>Based on a dataset of information on public libraries in England, published by Arts Council England, we estimated that around 230 static libraries have been permanently closed in the period 1 April 2010 to 31 December 2021 and have not been relocated or replaced.</p> answering member constituency Sutton and Cheam answering member printed Paul Scully question first answered 20/02/2023 10:13:21 answering member 4414 label Biography information for Paul Scully
	tabling member	1588 label Biography information for Barbara Keeley