Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] 2025-05-14

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I think we all appreciate the amendment, because we want to protect vulnerable women, children and anybody who is at risk of this sort of harm. Could we not look at doing something similar to the amendment, and the carve-out we have created with it, for our creative industries? If we can protect our vulnerable people, can we not also protect our creative industries from copyright infringement by having territorial exemptions similar to what we have with deepfakes?

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One reason for getting the Bill through, one would hope, is to deliver on things like content credentials, which firms like Adobe have championed, to show who has produced a file, where the ownership sits and whether artificial intelligence has been used to edit it. Can the Minister confirm whether the Bill will deliver on that commitment on content credentials, and if not, why not?

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It is wonderful to hear my hon. Friend talk about the importance of copyright and the fact that we have existing laws that we can use, but I wonder whether he is aware of the growing concern in industry about the risk of expansive US-style fair use principles creeping into UK practice and what we might do to secure our safeguards.

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Yesterday the Minister appeared before our Select Committee and said, “The best kind of AI is the kind of AI that is built on premium content, and you can’t get premium content without paying for premium content.” Now, as well as being concerned about the overuse of the expression “premium content” in that sentence, I am also concerned about the fact that, as we speak, there are copyright works out there being scraped underhandedly by AI developers, some of whom are feigning licensing negotiations with the very rights holders whose works they are scraping. Surely now is the time to require developers to tell us what copyright works are being used to train their models and what their web-scraping bots are up to.

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Asked about enforceable transparency obligations that would reduce legal uncertainty, deter infringement and enable faster redress.

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Asked about the Government’s current preferred approach to copyright and AI, specifically regarding an opt-out model.

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Asked for confirmation regarding an Observer article suggesting that an opt-out system of copyright rules was no longer preferred by the Secretary of State.

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Asked for clarification on issues raised by other MPs.

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Asked for a timeline regarding the substantive response to the consultation.

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Asked what non-technical measures are being considered in the interim.

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Will the Minister consider interim measures or guidance that could deliver similar outcomes while exploring legislative options?

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Could the format be discussed, such as a consultation followed by a White Paper and then a Bill? Is there an anticipated timeline?

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Given the Government's open-minded approach, is there consideration of legislative measures to protect copyright and enhance remuneration for creatives?

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Would the Minister like to put on record that he values parliamentary scrutiny?

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Given the anticipated removal of Lords amendments due to financial privilege, what definitive action will the Minister take to address concerns about copyright and transparency?

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Does the Minister acknowledge that his statement does not provide a clear timetable and direction, offering cold comfort to those facing issues today?

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Does the Minister agree that large tech platforms may not have the right incentives to develop an appropriate technical solution, and should transparency be maintained throughout this process?

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Would the Minister include representatives from the creative industries on technical committees working on AI and copyright reform to ensure both sectors are involved?

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Does the Minister understand that panic has set in among the creative industries due to the Department’s previous statements about copyright opt-outs and their impact on growing the AI industry?

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Would setting a test for scientific research data reuse prevent valuable research such as in vitro fertilisation?

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You will recall that on Monday, Mr Speaker took to task those on the Treasury Bench for making a very important announcement about major policy changes on immigration to the media before it was made to this House. Today, similar issues arise with the Ministry of Justice announcing significant changes regarding offenders and prison overcrowding without notifying this House first. What steps will you take to ensure compliance with the ministerial code?

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Over the course of debating the Bill, it has become customary to thank those in the other place for their work. Can you provide clarity on why the Government's amendments are necessary given that they address issues raised by the creative sector?

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Asked about Lords amendment 43B, which deals with safeguarding scientific research and ensuring that exemptions in the Bill are used solely for such purposes. Raised concerns over data reuse for AI model training without consent.

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Expressed profound disappointment within the creative sector over lack of assurances and protection against exploitation by tech companies. Criticised Government's motions as setting a timeline of several years before resolution, arguing immediate action is needed to protect creators' rights.

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I was anticipating more contributions from other Members, but it is a delight to see you in the Chair, Madam Deputy Speaker, and to follow on from the hon. Member for Perth and Kinross-shire (Pete Wishart). I will not speak at great length... First, I want to refer to the matter of financial privilege...

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The only point I will make to the hon. Gentleman about his contribution on the creative industries—he knows that on many of these issues we completely and utterly agree—is that if there were a simple way of being able to enforce those rights today, I would seize it... The Bill creates no new permission to reuse data for scientific research...