Tag: Ian Murray

  • Ian Murray – 2026 Statement on UK Biobank Data

    Ian Murray – 2026 Statement on UK Biobank Data

    The statement made by Ian Murray, the Minister for Digital Government and Data, in the House of Commons on 23 April 2026.

    With permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a statement about the use of UK Biobank data.

    UK Biobank is a non-profit charity, independent of Government. The Biobank brings together data, kindly donated by its volunteer participants, that is shared with accredited researchers globally to make significant scientific discoveries that improve patient health. That includes discovering genes that affect the risk of heart disease or cancer, identifying new ways of predicting dementia, identifying early warning signs for cancers, understanding immunity to covid-19, and work towards earlier detection of Parkinson’s. It is one of the most successful and important studies of its type, and it continues to benefit patients in the UK and around the world. We are all grateful to those individuals who are part of this landmark study that is so important for all of our health.

    On Monday 20 April, the UK Biobank charity informed the Government that it had identified that its data had been advertised for sale by several sellers on Alibaba’s e-commerce platforms in China. Biobank told us that three listings that appeared to sell UK Biobank participation data had been identified. At least one of the three datasets appeared to contain data from all 500,000 UK Biobank volunteers. Additional listings offered support for applying for legitimate access to UK Biobank data or analytical support for researchers who already have access to the data. I want to reassure the House up front, however, that Biobank has advised that this data did not contain participants’ names, addresses, contact details or telephone numbers. The Government have spoken to the vendor today and they do not believe that there were any purchases from the three listings before they were taken down.

    Once the Government were made aware of the situation, we took immediate action to protect participants’ data. First, we worked with Biobank, the Chinese Government and the vendor to ensure that the three listings that UK Biobank informed us included participant data had been removed. I want to thank the Chinese Government for the speed and seriousness with which they worked with us to help remove the listings and the ongoing work to remove any further listings. Secondly, we ensured that the Biobank charity revoked access to the three research institutions identified as the source of the information. Thirdly, we have asked that the Biobank charity pauses further access to its data until it has put in place a technical solution to prevent data from its current platform from being downloaded in this way again. I can confirm to the House that this pause is now in place. UK Biobank has also referred itself to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

    We are still working with Biobank to ascertain from it the specific detail of what has happened. We have asked it to investigate how this data ended up for sale online as a priority, but I wanted to ensure that the House was aware of the incident and the action that the Government are taking.

    Officials have been in regular contact with UK Biobank since the Government were made aware of the issue on Monday. I personally spoke to the chief executive and chair last night, alongside the Minister of State for Science and the Minister for Health Innovation and Safety. We have received assurances that the charity will conduct a rapid board-level review of the safeguards in place for accessing its data.

    As I mentioned, in the short term, Biobank will suspend downloads from its platform. That is until a new system is brought in to control analysis downloads to approved researchers and will significantly enhance data access controls and safeguards. We have advised the chair and chief executive of Biobank to write to all participants as soon as possible to ensure that they are aware of what has happened.

    In summary, and to be clear to the House and to those people affected, the charity has assured us that the data did not contain anybody’s names, addresses or contact details. It includes only data of people who have explicitly opted in to be part of the Biobank. Those are people who have given their explicit consent that this data can be used, in the knowledge that it will be shared with researchers globally.

    Participants have done a great service to the people of this country, and human health globally, through their participation. For example, valuable research is being carried out at McGill University in Canada into chronic pain, which afflicts millions of people here in the UK. We expect UK Biobank to remain one of the leading health research resources.

    This has been an unacceptable abuse of the UK Biobank charity’s data, and an abuse of the trust that participants rightly expect when sharing their data for research purposes. The Government take the incident extremely seriously, which is why we have acted rapidly to support the UK Biobank charity in its response and why I wanted to update the House at the earliest opportunity.

    The Government will soon be issuing new guidance on control of data from research studies. I take this opportunity once again to urge all businesses and charities to ensure that that their systems and data-sharing processes are as secure as possible. We wrote to businesses last week about the cyber-security tools available to them—for free—from the Government and the steps they should take to maximise security. Ensuring the safe use of UK data is a priority for the Government. I commend this statement to the House.

  • Ian Murray – 2026 Statement on the Government Cyber Action Plan

    Ian Murray – 2026 Statement on the Government Cyber Action Plan

    The statement made by Ian Murray, the Minister for Digital Government and Data, in the House of Commons on 6 January 2026.

    Today I am publishing the Government cyber action plan, which sets out how we will transform cyber-security and resilience across Government and the public sector.

    Public incidents demonstrate the devastating real-world consequences of inadequate cyber resilience. The recent incident affecting the Legal Aid Agency compromised personal data and impacted the organisation’s ability to digitally process legal aid applications and bills.

    Similarly, the attack on Synnovis—a supplier of pathology services to the NHS—caused delays to over 11,000 outpatient and elective procedure appointments and, tragically, contributed to the death of a patient.

    This reality underscores the fact that cyber-security is not a luxury; it is a fundamental component of business continuity, and all organisations should take steps to defend themselves.

    Digitisation offers substantial opportunities to transform lives, deliver better public services, and drive economic growth and digital government. By investing in secure and resilient foundations, we do more than protect and transform public services; we drive innovation and growth within the UK’s cyber-security sector.

    This Government have taken important steps in understanding and mitigating cyber risk across Government and the public sector. The Government Cyber Co-ordination Centre, also known as GC3, enables us to respond as one Government to cyber incidents, threats and vulnerabilities. Our secure-by-design approach enables us to “fix forward”, ensuring future digital services are designed to achieve cyber-security resilience outcomes. GovAssure, our cyber assurance process now entering its third year of operations, offers an unprecedented picture of current resilience levels and the fundamental blockers to progress.

    However, the evidence is clear: we must do far more to address the persistent threat. We must move from a model where individual organisations act alone to one where the Government truly defend as one.Toggle showing location ofColumn 8WS

    Today’s Government cyber action plan sets out a radically new model for how Government will operate differently to deliver this necessary transformation. It is backed by investment of over £210 million, led by the Government cyber unit within the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The unit is taking decisive action to rapidly address the recommendations from both the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee by holding Departments to account for their cyber-security and resilience risks, as well as providing them with more direct support and services, and co-ordinating response to fast-moving incidents.

  • Ian Murray – 2024 Speech at Labour Party Conference

    Ian Murray – 2024 Speech at Labour Party Conference

    The speech made by Ian Murray, the Secretary of State for Scotland, on 23 September 2024.

    Conference – it is a privilege to be here in Liverpool as just one of Scottish Labour’s 37 Members of Parliament.

    Let me just say that again – 37 Scottish Labour MPs.

    Conference,  they are all fantastic and they will do wonderful things in their communities

    Each of them will do wonderful things in their communities and for Scotland. Thank you to each and every one of them.

    Dare I say I’m as happy as Larry. Although, as some of you may have heard, he isn’t always happy to see me.

    In his final campaign visit to Scotland, the Prime Minister, first time saying that as well reiterated what he first said back in 2020, that “the route to a Labour government runs through Scotland”.

    By voting Labour, Scottish voters kicked out the Tories and put Scotland at the heart of government. It is the privilege of my political life to serve in Keir Starmer’s cabinet, working alongside the brilliant Kirsty McNeil as Scotland Office minister and Melanie Ward as PPS.

    We’ve got Martin McCluskey in the Whips office, Douglas Alexander serving as Trade Minister, and of course Energy Minister Michael Shanks, whose seismic by-election victory in Rutherglen a year ago kick-started our most successful general election campaign in a generation.

    But conference – none of this was inevitable. There is nothing in the political rule book which says a failing government must give way to the opposition.

    We won in Scotland because we planned and executed a winning strategy – which promised what the Scottish people demanded- change. It began with Keir Starmer changing our party to put it back in the service of working people.

    And it was powered by the energy, enthusiasm and maybe a wee bit of dancing of Anas Sarwar. Our campaign was implemented meticulously by a world class team of Scottish Labour staff and activists, led by our fantastic Scottish General Secretary, John Paul. John Paul thank you to you and your team.

    As co-chair of the Scottish campaign, along with that indefatigable legendary Dam of Dumbarton, Jackie Ballie, I was so proud to see that hard work pay off. Jackie   Thank you for everything you did.

    Conference – we should be proud of our success. It took us 14 years to get rid of one of Scotland’s two failing governments but the real hard work started the day after the election to get rid of the other one.

    There are only five hundred and ninety-two days until Scots return to the polls.  Or 591 sleeps as my daughter would say.

    And as wonderful as July’s result was, we can take nothing for granted.

    Those who voted for Labour in Scotland on the 4th of July voted for change because they had been let down badly by their two governments.

    They did not ‘come home’ to Labour.

    They chose us in the hope and expectation that we will deliver for them.

    And that is what we must, and are determined, to do.

    We know it will not be easy but there is a real sense of this Labour purpose to the tough choices that will need to be made to fix the foundations. By fixing those foundations we can build that brighter future for every part of our country.

    And as the Prime Minister, the Chancellor just before lunch and Anas Sarwar have said repeatedly  there will be no return to austerity.  And I want to say that again – there will be no return to austerity.

    My team and I in the Scotland Office will play our part. Supported by the most dedicated and professional team of civil servants, we have reset the relationship with the Scottish Government.

    There are many, many, many things on which Labour and the SNP will never agree, but grown-up politics means two governments working together. It’s what most Scots expect and what we will deliver.

    But Conference, I will also not shy away from calling out the tragic failure of the SNP. 860,000 of our fellow Scots stuck on NHS waiting lists. 10,000 of our children with no home to call their own.

    The worst attainment gap between the richest and the poorest pupils on record. Tax decisions this year that cost more than they raised, with working people paying more but getting less, while the SNP make £500m cuts to services, all to pay for their financial incompetence.

    The Scottish people deserve better – and my department The Scotland Office has a crucial role in changing things now.

    The Scotland Office has four priorities to help deliver our governments’ missions.

    Economic growth. Green energy. Brand Scotland. And of course Tackling Poverty.

    I want to see the Scotland Office working directly with the Scottish government and local governments in Scotland to drive growth in every community.

    Powering that growth will be GB Energy to create jobs, drive down bills and ensure our existing world class energy workforce can lead and benefit from these new industries of the future.

    GB Energy will be owned by the public, and, Conference I can exclusively announce today, headquartered in Scotland.

    We will also drive growth by promoting Brand Scotland. From shipbuilding, science and salmon to scotch, culture and services, we’re the best in the world, and by selling Scotland to the world we can unlock jobs and all of that investment.

    Gordon Brown once spoke of prudence with a purpose.

    And all that work to grow our economy, to go green, and promote our brand, has a purpose too – to tackle the scourge of poverty.

    To raise wages, protect and invest in public services and ensure everyone in life has the security of good work and the opportunity to succeed.

    Conference, lifting people out of poverty is what Labour Governments do. It’s in our DNA. We’ve done it before and we’ll do it again.

    The financial inheritance we knew about will be challenging, compounded by the £22 billion black hole we didn’t know about – another act of astonishing economic vandalism from the Tories that they’ve just walked away from with no responsibility.

    But the economic inheritance we face isn’t just fiscal. It is also structural. It is also industrial. The foundations of Scotland’s industrial economy are incredibly fragile. We have seen that in the last month.

    None of this is a coincidence. It is a consequence of more than a decade without an industrial strategy for Scotland.

    Scotland has a strongly industrial past – and it will have a bright industrial future which guarantees jobs and wealth for families for generations and generations to come if we get the transition to net zero right.

    Our plan is a good one. Rooted in Labour values and with a clear purpose.

    It is a plan which will begin to deliver the change Scotland, remember that phrase – and set the conditions for success in 592 days’ time – when the people of Scotland will have the chance to vote for change.

    To elect a Labour government in Scotland which works hand in glove with Keir Starmer’s government; and make my friend Anas Sarwar our next First Minister.

    Conference, change in Scotland began on the 4th of July. The opportunity to deliver lasting change is in all our hands. Let’s take that opportunity and let’s deliver it.

  • Ian Murray – 2024 Statement on Being Appointed Scottish Secretary

    Ian Murray – 2024 Statement on Being Appointed Scottish Secretary

    The statement made by Ian Murray on 5 July 2024 after he became the Scottish Secretary.

    It is a real privilege to have been asked to serve in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first Cabinet as Secretary of State for Scotland.  My absolute priority in the role will be to deliver the change and renewal that Scotland needs – to drive economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty.

    As we rebuild our country, I look forward to Scotland standing foursquare with the other UK nations. I will make sure that the Scotland Office is a strong voice for Scotland within the UK Government.

    New funding will help tackle poverty in Scotland by creating jobs and unlocking opportunities across the country, especially in our most deprived communities.

    The Scotland Office will lead on promoting ‘Brand Scotland’ around the globe. Selling our world class produce, products and services to the world.

    I am also determined to reset the relationship between the UK and Scottish Governments. Focusing on co-operation and joint working will mean we can deliver better results for people in Scotland.

  • Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-01-12.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Statement of 11 January 2016 on the Smith Commission Agreement, HCWS458, what the (a) dates, (b) minutes and (c) outcomes was of any discussions or meeting held since 28 November 2014 on issues relating to asylum seekers with (i) Home Office Ministers and (ii) Ministers or Officials of the Scottish Government.

    David Mundell

    In the period since the Smith Commission, the UK and Scottish Governments have had regular meetings to discuss issues relating to asylum seekers. These have included discussions on the non-legislative proposals from the Commission, and a demonstration for Scottish Government officials of the asylum process at the Home Office in Glasgow. This cross-government work with the Scottish Government on asylum issues is on-going.

  • Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-03-02.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (a) when, (b) where and (c) for how long the powers under section 101 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 to designate reception zones have been used to date; and how many asylum seekers designated under section 95 of that Act have been so supported.

    James Brokenshire

    The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 introduced the policy of national dispersal, designed to share the impact of asylum seekers across the whole of the UK. Asylum seekers are housed across the UK under voluntary agreements between national government and local authorities that have been in place since 2000. The powers under Section 101 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 have not been used to date.

  • Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Work and Pensions

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-04-08.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of men in Scotland who reach state pension age in 2016-17 will receive the full flat rate of the new state pension.

    Justin Tomlinson

    The Department cannot model the impact of the new State Pension at a regional or country specific level. Results for the whole of Great Britain can be found at:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/491845/impact-of-new-state-pension-longer-term-reserach.pdf

    “

  • Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-05-26.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures are in place to ensure that the appropriate educational provision is in place for asylum seekers dispersed to (a) current dispersal areas, (b) new dispersal areas and (c) Scotland.

    James Brokenshire

    The Home Office maintains an active partnership with local governments across the UK, including those in Scotland, and funds Strategic Migration Partnerships to plan for the most appropriate dispersal of asylum seekers. The partnerships consider the impact on communities and local services so that adjustments to dispersal patterns can be made where appropriate.

    Free access to NHS healthcare is provided to asylum seekers. Asylum Health Teams are commissioned by NHS England and Scotland to provide healthcare and screening. Strategic Migration Partnerships work with Care Commissioning Groups to plan for the health care needs of asylum seekers in their regions.

    All children are entitled to free primary and secondary education. To enable access to education, internal checks are in place to triage applications involving children of school age for priority dispersal into permanent accommodation. Strategic Migration Partnerships discuss education provision as part of their local authority engagement. Asylum seekers are able to access legal advice via the Legal Aid system and are provided details of local solicitors as part of their induction into their dispersal region.

    Local authorities are consulted before asylum seekers are placed in their area, so that the potential impact on communities and local services is fully considered. During discussions on widening dispersal in Scotland we are and will continue to ensure that Local Authority leads and partners on health and education, as well as the Scottish Government and the Scottish Law Society, are involved to address any concerns and to ensure the close and successful partnership working in Glasgow is replicated elsewhere.

  • Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Scotland Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-06-24.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to the Answer of 14 June 2016 to Question 40187, whether the Government plans to transfer the funding of Citizens Advice Scotland to the Scottish Government.

    David Mundell

    The UK Government Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has been clear in its public statements that it continues to provide Citizens Advice Scotland with core funding and they have no plans to transfer responsibility for this funding to the Scottish Government.

  • Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    Ian Murray – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Ian Murray on 2016-10-11.

    To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the criteria for inclusion in the limited post-study work visa pilot were; and if she will make a statement.

    Mr Robert Goodwill

    The Tier 4 visa pilot has been introduced to test the benefits of a differentiated approach within the education sector on the basis of compliance with immigration sponsorship requirements.

    The four universities chosen to participate in the Tier 4 visa pilot, namely the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Bath and Imperial College London, were chosen on the basis of their consistently low visa refusal rates.