Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Data (Use and Access) Bill [Lords] 2025-06-10

10 June 2025 · 15 other contributors

Opened by The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms Chris Bryant

Science & Technology

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms raised concerns about data (use and access) bill [lords] 2025-06-10 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister is moving amendments to the Lords message regarding the Data Use and Access Bill
  • The bill does not propose changing copyright law
  • Two further reporting requirements will be added on models trained overseas and on transparency approaches

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms

Today I am moving amendments to the Lords message regarding the Data Use and Access Bill. This is not an AI Bill and it does not propose changing copyright in any regard whatsoever. The enforcement of copyright law is not a matter for Government but rather actionable by copyright owners under Chapter VI of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. In response to persistent Lords concerns, we are adding two further reporting requirements on approaches to models trained overseas and on how transparency and other requirements should be enforced. We will deliver an economic impact assessment within nine months instead of twelve. Additionally, a new requirement for the Secretary of State to make a progress statement to Parliament about these documents within six months of Royal Assent is introduced. The Government are committed to ensuring considered and effective solutions through consultation and working groups with AI and creative industry representatives.

Other contributors (15)
  • Julian Smith Con Skipton and Ripon

    Question

    The right hon. Gentleman knows that I am not going to do that. He also knows that the enforcement of copyright law is not a matter for Government because it is not the Government who enforce it. We are not changing any measures in copyright law.

    Minister reply

    We acknowledge the strong feelings expressed in both Houses about the need to protect the intellectual property rights of 2.4 million people who work in the creative industries, including tech industries celebrating London Tech Week.

  • Pete Wishart SNP Perth and Kinross-shire

    Question

    The amendments miss out transparency which is crucial for the House of Lords, the creative sector, and artists. Why won't you compromise?

    Minister reply

    The single most important compromise will be between the AI sector and the creative industries sector over the next few months. We need a comprehensive picture that includes all aspects to reach a proper compromise solution.

  • Anneliese Midgley Lab Knowsley

    Question

    How will parliamentarians be chosen for the advisory group?

    Minister reply

    The Government will convene a series of meetings with a cross-party group of Members, including MPs and peers, to keep interested parliamentarians informed on progress before formal proposals are brought back to Parliament.

  • Meg Hillier Lab/Co-op Hackney South and Shoreditch

    Question

    Late emails were sent suggesting an approach without proper scrutiny. Was this appropriate?

    Minister reply

    I completely agree that policy development is separate from scrutiny through Select Committees or Houses of Parliament. I apologise for the inadvertent sending of emails to the wrong address and all related issues.

  • Chris Vince Con

    Question

    Will part of its remit be to invite members of the creative industry in to discuss their concerns and how we can work together to solve them?

    Minister reply

    The Minister confirmed that once the group is formed, they will engage members of the creative industries and tech companies to discuss concerns and solutions.

  • Emily Darlington Lab

    Question

    Why did the last Government not take any initiative to ensure creatives receive their just rewards for their creativity?

    Minister reply

    The Minister stated that previous consultations have created uncertainty, leading to problems in the current legislation.

  • Pete Wishart SNP

    Question

    What did the last Government do on this issue?

    Minister reply

    The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology clarified that the previous working group was cancelled by the last government.

  • Alison Hume Lab Scarborough and Whitby

    Question

    My hon. Friend says that the prospects for both industries have improved. I have spoken in this place about my previous role as a screenwriter—I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests—and this week, the British Film Institute reported that AI threatens the British film industry, with over 130,000 scripts having been plundered... Does my hon. Friend agree that if we fail to take this opportunity to deal with transparency and put powers to legislate on the face of the Bill, we will be leaving screenwriters and other creatives high and dry until we legislate in the future?

  • Victoria Collins LD Harpenden and Berkhamsted

    Question

    Just three months. After all the discussions and the cries for fairness from the creative industries, which have seen the daylight robbery of their life’s work, the Government are sending back an amendment that, in essence, changes the economic assessment from 12 months to nine months, with a progress statement and some expansion... Who will be the guardians of this creative galaxy? Why does this theft feel a little less heroic than Robin Hood?

  • Samantha Niblett Lab South Derbyshire

    No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.

  • Pete Wishart MP SNP

    Question

    I am extremely grateful, Madam Deputy Speaker, and I will not detain the House, as I have just a few comments to make. Let me begin by saying that it is an absolute pleasure to follow the Chair of the Select Committee, the hon. Member for Gosport (Dame Caroline Dinenage).

  • Chris Bryant MP Lab

    Question

    Even to you.

  • Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

    Question

    Will the Minister give way?

    Minister reply

    Okay, although my hon. Friend was not here earlier.

  • Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West

    Question

    I commend the Government for engaging in a cross-party discussion about AI but stress that from the beginning tech companies must understand transparency is an absolute requirement. If they do not deliver, what will the Minister do?

    Minister reply

    We have always said that transparency is absolutely key to our ability to deliver the package we wish to put together, but it is only one part of a larger puzzle.

  • Chris Bryant

    Question

    I point out to the hon. Member for Gosport (Dame Caroline Dinenage) that some of the items on the amendment paper are things that the two Select Committees asked us to do. The last Government introduced plans that would have produced a text and data mining exemption for commercial exploitation without additional protections for creative industries.

    Minister reply

    We have moved significantly since the introduction of the Bill, listening to both peers and creative industry representatives. We aim to keep the copyright regime robust so those in creative industries can be remunerated as they deserve.

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