Strengthening National Resilience 2024-10-24
2024-10-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about recent public inquiries that have called for reform in national resilience, such as the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the covid-19 pandemic.
What recent progress has his Department made on strengthening national resilience?
Our first duty as a Government is to keep people safe. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is leading a review into national resilience against the range of risks the UK faces.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about recent progress and actions taken was not addressed with concrete details or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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The MP is concerned about the impact of climate change on communities, citing examples such as a mini-tornado in Nottingham and flash floods in Madeley.
In the last year alone, we have seen a mini-tornado in Nottingham, flash floods in Madeley and rain like no other across Newcastle-under-Lyme. We see the devastating effects of climate change every day. What is the Minister doing to improve resilience and preparation across central Government, local authorities, local communities and emergency services, to ensure that Newcastle-under-Lyme and the rest of our country are prepared for any and every extreme weather event?
My hon. Friend is right to raise that question. The previous Administration left our country's flood defences in the worst condition ever recorded, but we are improving resilience across government.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about steps being taken was not addressed with concrete details or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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The MP is concerned about the importance of training and skills for people working to bring communities together and keep them safe, citing racial tension in Stoke-on-Trent South.
If we are to ensure that the UK is resilient to the potential threats that face our country, it is vital that people who work to bring communities together and keep us safe are given the training, knowledge and skills that they need to play their part. Can the Minister tell the House what steps she is taking to support their work in that area?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and in September I visited the Emergency Planning College. The UK Resilience Academy will be established next April to provide a wide range of training for organisations, businesses and individuals.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about current support steps was not addressed with concrete details or commitments.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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The MP is concerned about the potential risks posed by genomic companies linked to systemic competitors, especially in relation to data privacy, national security and ethical concerns.
National security experts have been warning about the Chinese Communist party's use of genomics companies to harvest DNA data globally and dominate the genomics industry supply chain. Given the increasing importance of genomics for public healthcare, and the potential dual-use application of the technology, will the Minister confirm whether her Department is conducting a risk assessment on the data privacy, national security and ethical risks posed by genomic companies linked to systemic competitors?
The right hon. Member is right to raise that question. We will ban China's economic engagement, and make sure we strengthen our national security.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about conducting a risk assessment was not addressed with concrete details or commitments.
Response accuracy