Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Wednesday 12 November 2025 · 5 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

  • Josh Fenton-Glynn raised concerns about a phone mast removal affecting mobile coverage in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd, with services restored by 7 November.
  • Julia Lopez questioned the Prime Minister's stance on mandatory digital ID, to which the Secretary of State responded by emphasizing the focus on tech modernisation and digital ID for public service improvement.
  • Lisa Smart inquired about plans to refurbish Government and civil service devices to tackle digital exclusion, prompting a response that highlighted the Government's digital inclusion strategy and an offer to meet to discuss the issue further.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Josh Fenton-Glynn Lab Calder Valley
Transport Environment
Context

A mobile phone mast serving Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd was removed without warning, affecting thousands of people and cutting off O2, Vodafone, and Three coverage until April. Residents were disconnected for three weeks before a temporary fix was found.

Question

On 20 October, a phone mast serving thousands of people in Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd was removed without warning, cutting O2, Vodafone and Three coverage. Residents were told that they would be disconnected until April. It was only through the intervention of Baroness Lloyd and I that a temporary fix was found—after three weeks. Given the essential role of mobile services in our communities, this removal impacted businesses, GPs, safeguarding and many more areas. Our mobile phones have become a utility and they are regulated—

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)

Mobile services are essential to communities, and it is not good enough that the mast in my hon. Friend’s constituency was decommissioned without warning. Prompt action by my Department ensured that services were restored by 7 November, and Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneThree have assured us that customers will be compensated. I am sure that my hon. Friend will continue to champion his constituents’ needs.

Partly answered

How: Chuntering From A Sedentary Position

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Q2 Julia Lopez Con Hornchurch and Upminster
Immigration Science & Technology
Context

The mandatory digital ID scheme is promoted as a way to curb illegal migration. However, there are no numbers provided on how effective it will be in achieving this goal.

Question

It is very tempting to ask the Secretary of State whether she is on Team Wes or Team Keir, but from the sounds of it today, she is on Team 4% Kendall. I will ask instead about one of the Prime Minister’s most cynical bloopers: mandatory digital ID. The Prime Minister says that mandatory digital ID will curb illegal migration. By how much will it do so by the end of this Parliament?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)

I am proudly on Team UK, as are the other Members on the Government Benches. That is why we are focused on creating jobs and growth in every part of the country, backing Britain’s best researchers and innovators, and modernising our public services using the power of tech, AI and digital ID. These are the British public’s priorities; it is a pity that Opposition Members are not focused on them.

Not addressed: did not provide specific numbers or percentages

How: Repeatedly Mentioning 'Team Uk'

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Q3 James Naish Lab Rushcliffe
Education
Context

The University of Nottingham is closing 16 courses due to limited research income, making these courses less financially viable.

Question

T2. The University of Nottingham announced last week that it is closing 16 courses as part of cost-saving measures due to limited research income making these courses less financially viable. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that her huge research and development budget gets to frontline institutions and universities that are at the heart of our vision for growing the economy?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)

I am happy to look into what my hon. Friend says in more detail. He knows that our post-16 education and skills White Paper sets out our vision and plan for universities, including record investment from my Department into research and development, and protecting the strategic priorities grant for science, technology, engineering and maths subjects. There is more that we can do, and I am happy to discuss it with him further.

Partly answered

How: Referred To Ongoing Discussions

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Q4 Lisa Smart Lib Dem Hazel Grove
Science & Technology
Context

Starting Point in Woodley is a social enterprise that works to tackle digital exclusion, highlighting the lack of access to devices as a barrier for many constituents.

Question

T5. Starting Point in Woodley is a social enterprise that works to tackle digital exclusion. It tells me that the lack of access to a device is a barrier for too many of my constituents. What plans do the Government have to enable the refurbishment of Government and civil service devices to make it easier for my constituents to get online?

Answer from The Minister for Digital Government and Data (Ian Murray)

The hon. Lady raises an important question about digital inclusion, which is right at the heart of the Government’s strategy. We just heard from the Opposition that they are against digital ID and digitalising this country—I am very happy to meet the hon. Lady to talk about that specific project in her constituency.

Partly answered

How: Referred To A Meeting

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Q5 Markus Campbell-Savours Lab Penrith and Solway
Standards & Ethics
Context

The Information Commissioner's Office faces criticism for weak freedom of information enforcement and slow decisions, lagging behind countries like Sweden and Norway.

Question

T3. The Information Commissioner’s Office faces constant criticism for weak freedom of information enforcement and sluggish decisions. Why must Britain lag behind countries like Sweden and Norway, where citizens routinely access information in under a week, and how can MPs meaningfully hold the commissioner to account?

Answer from The Minister for Digital Government and Data (Ian Murray)

The ICO is operationally independent of Government and is accountable to this Parliament. The Information Commissioner can appear in front of Select Committees to discuss the ICO’s performance, and I would encourage my hon. Friend’s Select Committee to pursue that.

Partly answered

How: Mentioned Operational Independence

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