It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

The government has not made an assessment of the proportion of productivity growth in the last five years that is attributable to financial technology.

However, the Government has taken significant steps to increase competition in financial services, including creating an environment in which Fintech firms can grow and compete with incumbents. The Competition and Market Authority has led the Open Banking initiative, bringing more competition and innovation to financial services. The FCA has also established the Innovation Hub and Regulatory Sandbox to support Fintech, both of which are held up as global examples of best practice. Further information on the Government’s efforts to promote Fintech can be found in the Fintech Sector Strategy, published in March 2018.

The Government takes the protection of personal data extremely seriously. The Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and the GDPR are in place to ensure that organisations who collect and use data do so lawfully and transparently.

The rules included in the DPA 2018 and the GDPR impose strict obligations on organisations to process people’s data fairly and lawfully and to ensure that any data collected is held securely. Organisations must also ensure they have a legal basis for processing data, are clear and transparent about how personal data will be handled, and ensure that the data is processed in a way which individuals would expect. Organisations that fail to comply may be subject to enforcement action by the Information Commissioner’s Office.

We have also issued a Code of Practice for organisations involved in the development, manufacturing and retail of products linked to the ‘Internet of Things’ to ensure that products are designed securely and keep consumers safe. In parallel, we have published consumer guidance to raise public awareness about setting-up, managing and improving the security of their consumer devices. The code of practice and guidance for consumers can be viewed at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secure-by-design/code-of-practice-for-consumer-iot-security

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secure-by-design/consumer-guidance-for-smart-devices-in-the-home

The Government also set up the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation last year to ensure that data and AI-driven innovations continue to deliver maximum benefits for society. The UK already benefits from a world-class regulatory regime, and the Centre will build on this by providing independent, expert advice on responding to the rapidly evolving way in which data is impacting our lives.

The Government takes the protection of personal data extremely seriously. The Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018 and the GDPR are in place to ensure that organisations who collect and use data do so lawfully and transparently.

The rules included in the DPA 2018 and the GDPR impose strict obligations on organisations to process people’s data fairly and lawfully and to ensure that any data collected is held securely. Organisations must also ensure they have a legal basis for processing data, are clear and transparent about how personal data will be handled, and ensure that the data is processed in a way which individuals would expect. Organisations that fail to comply may be subject to enforcement action by the Information Commissioner’s Office.

We have also issued a Code of Practice for organisations involved in the development, manufacturing and retail of products linked to the ‘Internet of Things’ to ensure that products are designed securely and keep consumers safe. In parallel, we have published consumer guidance to raise public awareness about setting-up, managing and improving the security of their consumer devices. The code of practice and guidance for consumers can be viewed at the following links:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secure-by-design/code-of-practice-for-consumer-iot-security

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/secure-by-design/consumer-guidance-for-smart-devices-in-the-home

The Government also set up the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation last year to ensure that data and AI-driven innovations continue to deliver maximum benefits for society. The UK already benefits from a world-class regulatory regime, and the Centre will build on this by providing independent, expert advice on responding to the rapidly evolving way in which data is impacting our lives.

Since being established on 1 April 2019, NavyX is pursuing 15 autonomy projects across the above-water, surface, underwater and littoral environments. Recent activity has included delivering the first live trial, integrating autonomous vessels with HMS ARGYLL at the Defence and Security Equipment International event earlier this month.

The most recent statistics on apprenticeship starts by industry sector covers the academic years 2012/13 to 2016/17 and are published at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/apprenticeships-in-england-by-industry-characteristics.

The UK Standard Industrial Classification of economic activities does not include a specific category for the technology sector. However, the ‘Information and communication’ category includes several specific sub-sectors related to technology (e.g. telecommunications, computer programming and information service activities).

In 2016/17 there were 9,410 starts in the information/communication sector in the UK and 1,440 starts in the information/communication sector in the South East.

Data is not published at constituency level so the number of starts in the Woking constituency is not available.

While the proposed transaction for Cobham plc by Advent International is primarily a commercial matter for the parties concerned, we are closely monitoring the situation.

Ministry Of Defence (MOD) officials have met both parties to understand their plans in relation to the proposed acquisition. Ministers can intervene in mergers on public interest grounds covering national security, financial stability or media plurality, with each merger considered on a case by case basis.

The MOD provides advice in this process to the relevant Secretary of State, who has a quasi-judicial role in deciding whether to intervene in mergers. The Secretary of State must consider only the evidence relevant to the public interest grounds raised. This also means that it is not appropriate for the Government to provide commentary on whether public interest concerns arise in relation to a merger ahead of any decision on whether to intervene.

The UK has been independently ranked as the best place in the world to start and grow a Fintech firm, and the government is committed to maintaining the UK’s leading edge in the sector. That is why the government has delivered against all of the commitments made in the Fintech Sector Strategy, which was launched last year.

The government announced at Mansion House 2019 that HM Treasury would launch a review into the payments landscape, which looks to ensure that regulation and infrastructure is able to keep pace with new payments models. The government also announced that it would explore building on the success of Open Banking by developing an agenda for ‘Open Finance’, looking at ways to safely and securely share data across a wider range of financial services products. This will further revolutionise the sector and increase the ability of Fintech firms to compete with traditional financial services firms.

Offshore wind is a success story for the UK. Government support has enabled investment, cost reduction and building of the supply chain across the UK. This support has resulted in two world leading floating offshore wind demonstration projects being developed in the UK.

In June this year, the Government Technology Innovation Strategy was published which sets out how government will use emerging technologies to build better public services. In order to develop this, Ministers and officials conducted significant research across government and the wider public sector to understand the opportunities and challenges of wider deployment of emerging technologies in our public service delivery.

Alongside it, the Government Digital Service and Office for Artificial Intelligence published ‘A guide to using artificial intelligence in the public sector’ which provides guidance on how to build and use AI in the public sector. This was produced as part of the Al Review which identified opportunities for using Al in the public sector to drive productivity and efficiency.

The Review focused on central departments and identified opportunities for using AI in the public sector to drive productivity and efficiency. The Review also identified key barriers and enablers to AI adoption, and a number of key areas where the application of AI across
government could improve services and make them more efficient.

I have committed to publishing a Heat Policy Roadmap in 2020 which will set out the programme of work required to enable key strategic decisions in the first part of the 2020s over the future of low-carbon heating. BEIS officials will be working closely with stakeholders, and will be considering the impacts of different technologies on different segments of the market as they develop its content.

There are three patient/lay representatives on the methods working group with a wide range of experience, covering a range of topic areas, reflecting the programmes under review. Two of the patient/lay representatives also belong to the Patients Involved in NICE coalition.

Patient groups will be involved in the review of each of the specific methodological areas as detailed in the paper presented to the NICE board on 17 July 2019. Experts in the area will be invited to participate in topic specific methods task and finish groups.

NICE has established a dedicated patient working group. There are six patient organisation representatives on the group, including those who belong to the Patients Involved in NICE coalition. The group will work directly with patient/carer groups to coordinate the patient perspective on both methods and process. A stakeholder workshop with patient groups was held in January 2019 that included representatives from 22 patient organisations.

The patient working group has recently disseminated a survey to patient umbrella groups to develop a clear understanding of the patient perspective on both methods and processes. The survey runs until 5pm on Monday 12 August 2019. It will be promoted via social media and sent directly to groups working with NICE. Patient organisations can communicate with representatives on the methods working group and patient working group outside of this survey.

Patient organisations will have the opportunity to comment directly on proposals during the public consultation in summer 2020.

NICE is implementing other opportunities to encourage more patient group involvement throughout the review via provision of a subscription based bulletin for updates and information (which people can subscribe to via their website) and exploring arrangements of additional engagement sessions (i.e. webinars), as and when appropriate.

There are three patient/lay representatives on the methods working group with a wide range of experience, covering a range of topic areas, reflecting the programmes under review. Two of the patient/lay representatives also belong to the Patients Involved in NICE coalition.

Patient groups will be involved in the review of each of the specific methodological areas as detailed in the paper presented to the NICE board on 17 July 2019. Experts in the area will be invited to participate in topic specific methods task and finish groups.

NICE has established a dedicated patient working group. There are six patient organisation representatives on the group, including those who belong to the Patients Involved in NICE coalition. The group will work directly with patient/carer groups to coordinate the patient perspective on both methods and process. A stakeholder workshop with patient groups was held in January 2019 that included representatives from 22 patient organisations.

The patient working group has recently disseminated a survey to patient umbrella groups to develop a clear understanding of the patient perspective on both methods and processes. The survey runs until 5pm on Monday 12 August 2019. It will be promoted via social media and sent directly to groups working with NICE. Patient organisations can communicate with representatives on the methods working group and patient working group outside of this survey.

Patient organisations will have the opportunity to comment directly on proposals during the public consultation in summer 2020.

NICE is implementing other opportunities to encourage more patient group involvement throughout the review via provision of a subscription based bulletin for updates and information (which people can subscribe to via their website) and exploring arrangements of additional engagement sessions (i.e. webinars), as and when appropriate.

There are three patient/lay representatives on the methods working group with a wide range of experience, covering a range of topic areas, reflecting the programmes under review. Two of the patient/lay representatives also belong to the Patients Involved in NICE coalition.

Patient groups will be involved in the review of each of the specific methodological areas as detailed in the paper presented to the NICE board on 17 July 2019. Experts in the area will be invited to participate in topic specific methods task and finish groups.

NICE has established a dedicated patient working group. There are six patient organisation representatives on the group, including those who belong to the Patients Involved in NICE coalition. The group will work directly with patient/carer groups to coordinate the patient perspective on both methods and process. A stakeholder workshop with patient groups was held in January 2019 that included representatives from 22 patient organisations.

The patient working group has recently disseminated a survey to patient umbrella groups to develop a clear understanding of the patient perspective on both methods and processes. The survey runs until 5pm on Monday 12 August 2019. It will be promoted via social media and sent directly to groups working with NICE. Patient organisations can communicate with representatives on the methods working group and patient working group outside of this survey.

Patient organisations will have the opportunity to comment directly on proposals during the public consultation in summer 2020.

NICE is implementing other opportunities to encourage more patient group involvement throughout the review via provision of a subscription based bulletin for updates and information (which people can subscribe to via their website) and exploring arrangements of additional engagement sessions (i.e. webinars), as and when appropriate.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has advised that membership of the task and finish groups will be decided by the working group. There are three patient/lay representatives on the methods working group with a wide range of experience, covering a range of topic areas, reflecting the programmes under review. Two of the patient/lay representatives also belong to the Patients Involved in NICE coalition.

NICE has established a dedicated patient working group. There are six patient organisation representatives on the group, including those who belong to the Patients Involved in NICE coalition. The group will work directly with patient/carer groups to coordinate the patient perspective on both methods and process.

A stakeholder workshop with patient groups was held in January 2019 that included representatives from 22 patient organisations.

Patient groups will be involved in the review of each of the specific methodological areas as detailed in the paper presented to the NICE board on 17 July 2019. Experts in the area will be invited to participate in topic specific methods task and finish groups.

Patient organisations will have the opportunity to comment directly on proposals during the public consultation in summer 2020.

The Home Office is working closely with policing on technology investment plans.

The current police settlement includes both a significant portfolio of Home Office led technology programmes as well as the Police Transformation Fund which supports a further group of national and local police led programmes. These are delivering transformational opportunities for officers including mobile communications, biometrics and programmes to improve contact with the public. As part of preparation for a spending review we are designing plans which build on these programmes as well as seeking innovative solutions to more complex problems.