Topical Questions 2026-03-18
2026-03-18
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns about the rapid pace of technological advancements in online environments, particularly regarding the safety of intimate images.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. Although I am proud of the steps that our Government have taken to advance online safety, we are merely playing catch-up. What more are the Government doing to ensure that we keep pace with the reality facing women and girls and how will they address emerging technologies such as AI smart glasses, which are operating without scrutiny?
One of my reflections in this job is that it took eight years for the Online Safety Act 2023 to come in, and it is still to be fully implemented. We need to move faster. MPs discuss a Finance Bill every year, and technology moves incredibly fast, so I am always prepared to take further action when it is needed.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for emerging technologies like AI smart glasses were not addressed
We Need To Move Faster
I Am Always Prepared To Take Further Action
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The lobular moon shot project aims to fund critical research into lobular breast cancer, a disease often missed by screening and lacking targeted treatments. Despite 463 MPs supporting this plan, no material progress has been made.
I am asking this question on behalf of my hon. Friend the Member for Hornchurch and Upminster (Julia Lopez), the shadow Secretary of State, who cannot be here today, but wants the House to know how important this issue is to her. The lobular moon shot project is a plan to fund critical research into lobular breast cancer. It is a disease often missed by screening and with no targeted treatment. A total of 463 Members of this House, including the Leader of the Opposition, support this plan. The Health Secretary says that there is no political disagreement on this, yet nothing has materially happened. His Department now says that it is for DSIT and UK Research and Innovation to comment on budget allocations and spending research priorities. I ask the Secretary of State this: is the moon shot project a research priority for her, as it is for 463 of her parliamentary colleagues?
Anything that deeply affects the lives of thousands of people is a priority for me. I am more than happy to work with the hon. Gentleman and others to reach a resolution here. My understanding is that we need to get right the quality of bids, but I would of course be happy to meet to discuss this further.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to work on the issue without specific priority status or timeline
I Am More Than Happy To Work With
We Need To Get Right The Quality Of Bids
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
The previous question inquired about the lobular moon shot project, a critical research initiative for lobular breast cancer. The current Secretary of State committed to working on this issue.
I thank the Secretary of State for that response. She should know that, on 22 April, vigils will be held across Westminster for the 22 women diagnosed with this insidious disease every day. I thank her for that commitment to work with the Health Secretary between now and then so that we can highlight this issue. Will she agree to come back to the House and update us on the comments and discussions that she has had with the Secretary of State for Health?
Yes, because I always believe in action, not just words.
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
Britain's AI economy is second only to the US and China, while its creative sector is world-leading. There are concerns about protecting these sectors in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Britain has a world-leading creative sector and an AI economy second only to the US and China. Will the Secretary of State tell me how she is promoting and protecting both industries?
This Government are determined to protect the UK's position as a world-leading creative powerhouse and unlock the extraordinary potential of AI to grow the economy and improve British lives. Today, we published a report and impact assessment, fulfilling the commitments made in the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. We have listened to the views on our initial consultation and confirmed that the Government no longer have a preferred option. We have also set out where we will do more work with our creative and AI sectors, including on digital replicas, labelling AI-generated content, creator control and transparency and support for our brilliant small and independent creatives.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The new nuclear fusion site near Gainsborough is expected to contribute significantly to green energy and economic growth in the region.
Will the Secretary of State commend the new nuclear fusion site at West Burton, just two miles from the town of Gainsborough, which, potentially, will unleash unlimited green energy as well as hundreds of millions of pounds of investment and thousands of jobs? Will she confirm that, when it comes to science and innovation, this country is not broken, but is leading the world?
First, may I affirm the importance of the project that the right hon. Gentleman is talking about? The Government are backing the future of nuclear fusion across the country, and this site in particular has a huge contribution to make. Construction will be on its way by the end of the decade, with research and development tests before that.
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Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State recently met with students from several schools in the constituency to discuss online safety measures that align with their needs without overly restrictive age-based bans.
Last week I met pupils from Pittencrieff primary school, Dollar academy and Queen Anne high school in my constituency to talk about how to keep them safe online. They were very much in favour of some restrictions to make sure that they were safe on social media but were very cautious of age-based bans. Will the Secretary of State ensure that the consultation coming forward is reflective of what young people say and that it fits their daily lives?
Yes. We have already had more than 25,000 responses to our consultation, including 1,700 from children and young people. If my hon. Friend or any other hon. Member wants to send in the views of their constituents, including of young people, I will personally read them.
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