Chi Onwurah MP: written questions
165 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Electricity: Data CentresDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127448More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of industrial electricity prices on inward investment in AI data centres since OpenAI’s decision to pause its UK Stargat
Answer: The Government is focused on continuing to create the right conditions for investment in the UK’s AI and data centre infrastructure. Through the AI Energy Council, it is already bringing together energy system bodies and leading technology companies, incl...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordElectricity: Data CentresDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127433More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment he has made of the electricity demand of large-scale data centres, in (1) the UK and (2) those located in the North East; and what plans exist to ensure adequate grid capacity
Answer: The Department’s energy and emissions projections include growth in power demand from computing services like data centres. To ensure a comprehensive view of the system, the methodology projects at a broader sector level, not disaggregating specific estim...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWind Power: North EastDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127432More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps he is taking to ensure that new offshore wind developments deliver long-term skilled jobs and supply-chain opportunities for communities in the North East.
Answer: The Government has set out a package of support for offshore wind supply chains and infrastructure of up to £1bn, including £300m from Great British Energy, £400m from The Crown Estate and £300m from industry. Allocation Round 7 secured a record 8.4GW of ...
Answered 24 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordWind Power: North SeaDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127431More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what estimate his Department has made of the total untapped offshore wind generating capacity in the North Sea; and what proportion of that capacity could be brought forward through future Cr
Answer: In January 2026 the UK signed a clean energy pact with Germany, France, Belgium, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark and Norway. This noted that 300GW of offshore wind could be built across the North Sea by 2050. The Crown Estate has said p...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordArts: North EastDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 15 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127430More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what support is being provided to regional creative-industry organisations in the North East, including writing and publishing bodies, as part of the Government’s Creative Industries Sector Visio
Answer: Unleashing the potential of our regions is a core objective of the Creative Industries Sector Plan. The Plan commits £25 million to the North East Combined Authority (NECA) as a high-potential Mayoral Strategic Authority, via our new Creative Places Growt...
Answered 22 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordScience and Technology: Diplomatic RelationsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 14 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 127068More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what role science diplomacy plays in the Government’s strategy for achieving UK technology sovereignty; and whether the UK intends to pursue shared leadership arrangements with internat
Answer: Science diplomacy plays an important role in building UK technology sovereignty through international partnerships with partners which strengthen our shared capabilities, resilience and security.Our Science & Technology Network, covering 65 locations,...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: Child Sexual Abuse MaterialDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126564More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to ensure AI tools are safe by design to prevent the creation of child sexual abuse material.
Answer: It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.
Answered 29 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordScience and Technology: Diplomatic RelationsDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126563More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of potential impact of science diplomacy in achieving UK technology sovereignty; and whether her Department intends to pursue shared leadership arrangements
Answer: Science diplomacy supports UK technology sovereignty by building international partnerships which strengthen our capabilities, resilience and security. This is underpinned by our Science & Technology Network covering 65 locations which strengthens UK ...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Security Benefits: Artificial IntelligenceDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126562More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of using generative AI to assist people making benefit claims.
Answer: We are adopting artificial intelligence in the Department for Work and Pensions to help colleagues deliver better outcomes for customers and to improve productivity and efficiency. While generative artificial intelligence is not currently used to assist p...
Answered 20 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAI Growth Zones: InvestmentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126561More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department will take to prevent further withdrawal of planned AI investment from the UK, in the context of OpenAI’s decision to pause its Stargate UK project.
Answer: Decisions on investment are a matter for private companies. The Government has been clear that it will encourage and support investments that will enable UK firms and people to benefit. Many of the large-scale AI infrastructure projects in the UK have bee...
Answered 28 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAI Growth Zones: North EastDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 13 Apr 2026AnsweredUIN 126560More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the decision by OpenAI to pause its Stargate UK investment on the AI Growth Zone in the North East of England, and wha
Answer: Since the announcement of the North East AI Growth Zone, there has been no change to energy pricing or the regulatory environment in the UK. We engage regularly with developers and other stakeholders for the North East AI Growth Zone and are encouraged th...
Answered 21 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordEmployment Schemes: Lone ParentsDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122100More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available through his Department and Jobcentre Plus to help single parents with childcare responsibilities find suitable part-time employment.
Answer: As set out in our Child Poverty Strategy, this Government is committed to boosting family incomes, supporting single parents and reducing the earnings gap within couple households by transforming employment support and removing barriers to work. The Gover...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordEmployment Schemes: DisabilityDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122099More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available through his Department and Jobcentre Plus to help disabled people find suitable part-time employment.
Answer: We are committed to providing disabled people who want to work with the right support to find employment, including part-time work and self-employment, that meets their specific circumstances and ambitions. In addition to Work Coach support, our Pathways ...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordICT: ExpenditureDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122098More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department must approve IT spend above a certain value.
Answer: Yes. The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, must approve all digital and technology spend above certain values.
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordScience and TechnologyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122097More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has considered which aspects of (a) AI, (b) quantum, (c) space and (d) bioengineering the UK will seek to lead in.
Answer: The Government made a series of long-term commitments to developing UK leadership on AI, quantum, space and engineering biology through the Industrial Strategy and the AI Opportunities Action Plan.We have established the £500m Sovereign AI Fund to support...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence and Digital Service Providers: EU LawDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 19 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 122096More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the exclusion of UK tech companies from the EU Cloud and AI Development Act.
Answer: The PM has been clear that UK-European collaboration in science and technology is extremely important to the UK. We are engaging with European Commission to understand the development of the proposed EU Cloud and AI Development Act and assess its impact o...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordArtificial Intelligence: International CooperationDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121748More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether the Government plans to increase technology collaboration with like-minded international partners to support the UK’s sovereign capability in artificial intelligence and emergin
Answer: The Government is pleased to be working with international partners to support a thriving AI ecosystem in the UK, seizing the benefits of partnership and driving accelerated adoption of AI. Through international collaboration, including initiatives like E...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDigital Technology: Data ProtectionDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121747More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has a strategy for achieving UK technology sovereignty; and if she will make a statement.
Answer: The Government seeks to build sovereign capability in critical technologies, as set out in the June 2025 Modern Industrial Strategy and the accompanying Digital and Technologies Sector Plan. This approach reflects the importance of strengthening domestic ...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: SoftwareDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121746More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department requires the use of open-source software, open standards or open interfaces as part of its oversight and approval of major IT procurement across Government.
Answer: As of February 2025, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), through its incorporation of the Government Digital Service (GDS), requires full consideration be given to the use of open standards and open-source software. DSIT oversigh...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordDigital Service Providers: USADepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121745More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has held discussions with (a) Microsoft, (b) Amazon Web Services and (c) Palantir regarding the potential implications of the (1) US Cloud Act, (2) Patriot Act and (3) entit
Answer: The Secretary of State has not held specific discussions with these companies on these matters.The Government takes a balanced approach to cloud services, ensuring public sector systems are secure, resilient, and effective, while benefiting from global in...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordICTDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121744More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what minimum UK capabilities she has identified as necessary across (a) AI computing, (b) cloud infrastructure, (c) cybersecurity and (d) data governance to reduce dependence on foreign
Answer: The Government has identified the need to strengthen capability across a range of critical technologies, as set out in the Modern Industrial Strategy (2025) and the Digital and Technologies Sector Plan (2025), including building UK capacity in AI computin...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordGovernment Departments: ICTDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121743More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she is working on a common definition of technology, AI and digital sovereignty for use a) within her department b) across government.
Answer: This is a highly complex and evolving policy area with no single internationally agreed definition. Countries use the term differently depending on their economic, security, resilience and diplomatic priorities. As this is an area of policy that covers nu...
Answered 23 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordTelecommunications: InfrastructureDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121742More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the UK’s level of dependence on foreign manufactured Common Information Models (CIMs); and what steps his Department is taking to ensure the resilience an
Answer: Common Information Models are used across a range of UK CNI sectors. This includes telecommunications, where CIMs enable interoperability between different network management and operational systems. They support efficient operation and automation in comp...
Answered 24 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMedical Equipment: ProcurementDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 27 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 116470More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the NHS is not dependent on single suppliers of medical products.
Answer: Central procurement processes through NHS Supply Chain include a range of measures to prevent the dependency on single suppliers of medical products.When designing strategies, at category and sourcing strategy stages, NHS Supply Chain completes a category...
Answered 5 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordImports: IsraelDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 23 Feb 2026AnsweredUIN 114834More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2025 to Question 85759, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of Israeli measures to extend control of areas in the West Bank on the Government's abi
Answer: The UK is clear that Israel's illegal settlements, and decisions designed to further them, are a flagrant violation of international law. We will take concrete steps, in accordance with international law, to counter settlement expansion, and to challenge ...
Answered 26 Feb 2026
Original Parliament record
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