Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Technology Sector

Tuesday 20 June 2023 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister announced ambition for the UK to become the world's next silicon valley.
  • Department offers funding through the Faraday battery challenge and the automotive transformation fund.
  • Minister committed to writing to Laura Farris regarding fiscal support for technology businesses in Newbury.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Laura Farris
Economy Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the fiscal measures needed to support growth in the tech industry.

Question

What fiscal steps he is taking to support the technology sector?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

I have set out our national ambition to be the world's next silicon valley. We are making good progress; last year we were ranked the world's third largest technology market after the United States and China.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific fiscal steps, only a general statement on progress in the tech sector

How: Under Review, Working With Partners

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Q2 Alexander Stafford
Climate Energy Business & Trade
Context

Ultimate Battery is developing groundbreaking battery technologies in Thurcroft, Rother Valley, and is on track to create 500 jobs by 2025.

Question

What help can the Department give me and my constituents to help burgeoning businesses such as Ultimate Battery, to make Rother Valley and other places across the north technology hubs?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

I thank my hon. Friend for his support for this really important sector in Rother Valley. We have a number of schemes, including £541 million of funding available in the Faraday battery challenge. We also have the £1 billion automotive transformation fund. As a result of the efforts that he and many others have made, we now get 40% of our electricity from renewable sources—the second highest in Europe—and much more progress is to come.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific support for Ultimate Battery or other businesses directly

How: Under Review, Working With Partners

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Q3 Laura Farris
Economy Taxation Science & Technology
Context

A roundtable in the MP's constituency identified a lack of understanding regarding support available to science and technology businesses.

Question

I recently convened a roundtable in my constituency with the Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Norfolk (George Freeman) and a number of science and tech businesses. Their No. 1 question was what fiscal support was available for their sector. I am aware that there are numerous schemes, grants and tax relief, but it was notable that they were not well understood by the businesses, and I could not find them published anywhere on the new Department's website. Could my right hon. Friend put together and publish a package of all the support available to investors and innovators, and how it can be applied for, to maximise the potential of this vital new frontier in west Berkshire and beyond?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

That is a fair point. I thank my hon. Friend for the fact that Newbury is a hotbed of technology businesses, with Roc Technologies, Stryker, Edwards Lifesciences and a range of other businesses that she gives a lot of support to. I will write to her listing all those things and I will make sure that it is available on the website of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific fiscal support information but committed to writing a detailed list

How: Under Review, Working With Partners

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Q4 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Science & Technology Environment
Context

Communities in Warcop, Sandford, Coupland Beck, Blea Tarn, and Ormside have been designated as low priority areas, putting their broadband project at risk.

Question

The tech sector in rural Cumbria depends on reliable broadband. Communities in Warcop, Sandford, Coupland Beck, Blea Tarn and Ormside in Westmorland have signed up to the community interest company and volunteer group B4RN to provide a gigabit connection for just £33 a month, but the communities have been suddenly designated a low priority area, which means that their vouchers have been removed, putting the whole project at risk. Will the Chancellor commit to supporting those communities, residents and businesses to ensure that they get the vouchers that they were initially promised?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

I will happily look into what has happened. We strongly support all rural areas having access to gigabyte broadband, as an important part of our policy. We have made a lot of progress on that. I will look into detail of what is happening in the hon. Gentleman's area and get back to him.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct commitment but offered to look into the issue

How: Under Review, Working With Partners

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