VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Business: Licensing

Asked by Samantha NiblettLabourDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 29 January 2026UIN 907558

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help tackle the potential impact of restrictive software licensing practices on businesses.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

The Government is committed to supporting a competitive and innovative digital economy. This is why we prioritised the commencement of the Competition and Markets Authority’s (the CMA) new powers in digital markets.

These new powers are designed to boost competition and innovation in digital markets and promote fairer outcomes for both businesses and consumers. The CMA is independent of Government, and any decisions on which markets it next investigates is for its Board.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim