Topical Questions 2023-11-15
2023-11-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The planned retirement of the PSTN land network is a concern for rural communities, particularly in Essex.
My right hon. Friend will know that the planned retirement of the public switched telephone network in 2025 will bring very significant concerns across rural communities, particularly in Essex—he will be familiar with that. Can he provide some assurance about the work that is under way between the Government and telecommunications providers to help improve services in Essex, particularly where we have poor broadband connectivity?
As I suggested earlier, the retirement of the PSTN land network is a decision for the industry, but the Government have a key role to play in ensuring vulnerable consumers are protected through the transition. I have regular meetings with communications providers and Ofcom to discuss progress on that. With regard to Essex, I share my right hon. Friend's concern—my constituency is the neighbouring constituency to hers—about the need to ensure that vulnerable constituents are protected. I can assure her that I will continue.
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Assessment & feedback
Will Continue
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Q2
Partial Answer
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The US and EU are taking action on AI regulation, but the UK has been slow to act.
The Prime Minister has said that terrorist groups could use artificial intelligence to build chemical or biological weapons, but he has still failed to act decisively to regulate AI, even though the US and the EU are both taking action. Will the Minister tell the House whether the Secretary of State is using her current trip to the US to learn from the Biden Administration, or will our country have to put up with yet more dither and delay?
The Government have always been clear that we will have a contextual and proportionate response to AI. I spoke to the Secretary of State yesterday, and it is very clear that the US sees us as global leaders and will be working with us.
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Assessment & feedback
Will Be Working
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Ben Houchen is bringing steelmaking back to Teesside, investing £1.25 billion.
Teesside was built on steel and now, thanks to Ben Houchen, British Steel is bringing steelmaking back to Teesside. Green steel will be forged thanks to a new £1.25 billion arc furnace, leading the way in decarbonising our industries and bringing highly skilled jobs. Does my hon. Friend agree that any business looking to invest in green tech and energy in the UK should look to Teesside first?
Teesside is a wonderful net zero powerhouse, and I commend the green steel project. That is one reason why Teesside was chosen to pilot the Innovate UK programme of launchpads, each of which will receive up to £7.5 million.
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Since November 2020, £1.1 billion of taxpayers' money has been invested in the Rosalind Franklin Institute.
I welcome the new Front-Bench team to their positions. Since November 2020, £1.1 billion of taxpayers' money has been invested in the Rosalind Franklin Institute as a mega-lab to defend Britain against future pandemics. Can one of the new team explain why the mega-lab has been put up for sale?
The Government are investing record amounts in innovation and research in technology, including across the life sciences sector. I will happily meet the hon. Lady to discuss this matter in more detail.
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Assessment & feedback
Why is it being put up for sale?
Meet To Discuss
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Q5
Direct Answer
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The new law aims to protect children from harmful online content.
What impact does the Minister think the passage of the Online Safety Act 2023 into law will have on children and families in Warrington South and across the country?
As a father, this issue concerns me greatly. The Online Safety Act is the most powerful child protection law in a generation. All in-scope companies will need to take robust steps to protect children from illegal content and activity on their services. Those safety measures will need to protect children from harmful and age-inappropriate content and activity, such as bullying and content that promotes eating disorders and self-harm.
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Q6
Partial Answer
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The Minister is asked to coordinate an analysis of successful enterprise zones.
Will the Minister help to co-ordinate a comprehensive analysis of the most successful enterprise zones across the UK and the ways in which zones that have not been as successful can maximise the opportunities such zones provide, such as in Coleraine in my constituency?
The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right to flag up the value that successful enterprise zones can bring to local communities. I want to see DSIT sectors benefiting as well, and I am happy to co-ordinate further with colleagues in other Departments to explore those opportunities.
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Co-Ordinate Further
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The revolution in AI requires access to the necessary skills.
Given the revolution in AI, what steps is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that young people in Carshalton and Wallington have access to the skills they need for the future?
The Government are committed to ensuring that the UK has talent that supports research and innovation and drives growth. That is why we are investing millions in the brightest researchers through scholarships, PhD placements and fellowships in technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum.
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Assessment & feedback
Investing Millions
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Q8
Direct Answer
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Context
Members of the House are concerned about being included in disinformation reports.
What are Ministers doing to ensure that Members of this House are not included in disinformation reports compiled by the counter-disinformation unit in their Department simply for being critical of the Government? Their own Back Benchers are particularly interested to know.
I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that the counter-disinformation unit is there to flag up to platforms potentially misleading information, but it has no power to have it removed. I can give him an assurance that it does not identify any Members of this House or professional journalists.
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Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The Suffolk chamber of commerce has raised concerns about the current system for R&D tax credits, which has reportedly slowed due to HMRC's aggressive approach to fraud prevention.
Research and development tax credits have been remarkably successful in promoting investment by small and medium-sized enterprises. However, the Suffolk chamber of commerce has highlighted that the system has ground to a halt due to the sledgehammer approach of His Majesty's Revenue and Customs to tackling fraud. Will my hon. Friend liaise with HMRC and the Treasury to ensure that a more pragmatic approach is adopted?
My hon. Friend is a champion of his constituency, and I am happy to speak to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on that important matter on his behalf.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to adopt a more pragmatic approach towards R&D tax credits was not provided
Response accuracy