Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

EU Regulatory Alignment: Science and Technology

Wednesday 20 May 2026 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministers from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology regularly meet representatives from science and technology communities.
  • European tech leaders are concerned that EU digital regulation could stifle their ability to compete.
  • UK tech businesses report Britain's share of European venture capital investment is at its highest for 16 years.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Charlie Dewhirst Con Bridlington and The Wolds
Brexit Science & Technology
Context

The question arises from concerns about the regulatory environment for the UK's science and technology sector post-Brexit.

Question

What discussions have you had with the science and technology sector on closer regulatory alignment with the EU?

Answer from Kanishka Narayan

Ministers from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology regularly meet representatives from science and technology communities. The UK has seized the moment on AI, quantum and semiconductors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about discussions with the sector on closer regulatory alignment was not addressed directly.

How: Changing Subject To Seizing Opportunities In Ai

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Q2 Charlie Dewhirst Con Bridlington and The Wolds
Business & Trade
Context

European tech leaders are concerned that the EU's approach to digital regulation is hindering their ability to compete, prompting questions about potential restrictions for the UK tech industry.

Question

European tech leaders in some member states are concerned that the EU's approach to digital regulation is strangling their ability to compete. Will the Minister rule out binding the UK tech industry to a legal framework that could stifle growth in this vital area of the economy?

Answer from Kanishka Narayan

The feedback from UK tech businesses has been clear: Britain's share of European venture capital investment is at its highest for 16 years. IT and technology are driving productivity upwards, alongside capital from the British Business Bank and Sovereign AI.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about ruling out restrictive legal frameworks was not addressed directly.

How: Changing Subject To Current Positive Trends In Venture Capital Investment

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