Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Improving Access to Public Services

Wednesday 12 February 2025 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister committed to reviewing UK address data terms to support growth.
  • Government discussed with Department of Government Efficiency and Elon Musk on AI to improve services and eliminate waste.
  • Government signed the joint coalition for sustainable AI and collaborated on cyber-security with France.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Hurley Lab Southport
Economy Taxation Transport
Context

The MP raises concerns about the complexity and cost of accessing UK address data, which is crucial for delivering public services effectively.

Question

Given the importance of postal addresses to public service delivery and economic growth, will the Minister commit to reviewing the terms under which UK address data is made available to support growth?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)

Following the privatisation of Royal Mail in 2014, the postcode address file—the definitive list of UK postal addresses—became a privately owned data asset. However, we have committed to creating a national data library, which will use data in a radically new way for the benefit of the country and public sector users. The Data (Use and Access) Bill will also be a great step forward for the use of data in both public and private sectors.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to review the terms was not explicitly stated, instead focusing on future actions without addressing current issues directly.

How: Future Actions, New Commitments

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Q2 Oliver Dowden Con Hertsmere
Economy Science & Technology
Context

The MP inquires about potential collaborations with Elon Musk and the US Department of Government Efficiency to harness AI for improving service delivery and efficiency.

Question

What discussions has he and his Department had with the Department of Government Efficiency and Elon Musk in the United States about how we can harness the power of artificial intelligence to deliver better services, scrutinise government spending and datasets, and eliminate waste and inefficiency?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)

Our Government have brought in the Regulatory Innovation Office, which is now up and running and piloting four areas to get innovation through the regulatory landscape without delay. We have also introduced the gov.uk app, digital wallet, and digital driving licence. A suite of productivity services are already being deployed in the public sector.

Not addressed: The specific question about discussions with Elon Musk and the US Department was not addressed; instead, emphasis on UK Government initiatives was given.

How: Discussing Unrelated Government Actions

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Q3 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Science & Technology
Context

The MP inquires about the Government's decision not to sign the Paris AI summit declaration, which aimed at ensuring that AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy.

Question

What was the reason for the Government’s failure to sign the Paris AI summit declaration, given concerns about progress on global governance and national security?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)

We signed this week the joint coalition for sustainable AI, which is launching this summer; we joined an initial group of countries and multilateral organisations on collaborative network of AI observatories on work; we co-sealed a statement on cyber-security with France that launched this week; and we signed a statement on AI and gender as part of global partnership. A lot was achieved this week, but the national interest is always our priority.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reasons behind not signing the overall agreement were not fully addressed.

How: Highlighting Achievements Without Addressing Refusal To Sign

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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
NHS
Context

The MP expresses concern about the difficulty of accessing GP appointments, particularly the need to call early in the morning.

Question

What progress is being made in allowing patients to book GP appointments online so that they are not forced to wait on the phone every morning?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)

That issue is part of the legacy from a failed Tory Government. However, the Data (Use and Access) Bill will force different parts of the NHS to communicate with each other using interoperable data in patients' interests.

Not addressed: The specific progress on online booking systems was not addressed; instead, criticism of previous government was highlighted.

How: Criticizing Past Governments

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