{"value":{"id":1913636,"askingMemberId":4811,"askingMember":null,"house":"Commons","memberHasInterest":false,"dateTabled":"2026-06-08T00:00:00","dateForAnswer":"2026-06-10T00:00:00","uin":"7573","questionText":"To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2026 to question 477 on Public Sector: ICT, if her Department will consider the use of open source software for the public sector to move away from reliance on large tech companies.","answeringBodyId":216,"answeringBodyName":"Department for Science, Innovation and Technology","isWithdrawn":false,"isNamedDay":false,"groupedQuestions":[],"answerIsHolding":false,"answerIsCorrection":false,"answeringMemberId":3966,"answeringMember":null,"correctingMemberId":null,"correctingMember":null,"dateAnswered":"2026-06-16T00:00:00","answerText":"<p>The Government supports a diverse and competitive technology landscape, including open-source software where it offers value, flexibility and resilience. This is outlined in the Technology Code of Practice, which encourages departments to consider the use of open-source solutions alongside proprietary options.</p><p>Departments are responsible for their own procurement decisions, in line with established rules and guidance and must secure value for money through fair and open competition. The Government promotes a diverse supplier base and aims to reduce overreliance on individual suppliers where this limits innovation, resilience and value for money.</p>","originalAnswerText":"","comparableAnswerText":"","dateAnswerCorrected":null,"dateHoldingAnswer":null,"attachmentCount":0,"heading":"ICT: Public Sector","attachments":[],"groupedQuestionsDates":[]},"links":[{"rel":"self","href":"/Questions/1913636","method":"GET"}]}