📚 Oral Answers to Questions

• Mathematical Sciences Academy:
  • The government has decided against establishing a new academy for mathematical sciences. Instead, they are committing a record £20.4 billion to research and development in 2024-25.
  • Discussions are ongoing with mathematical science representatives to find the best ways to support the sector without creating a new organization.
  • The decision was questioned due to the government’s underspending by nearly £600 million last year, but the Secretary of State emphasized the government’s support for mathematical sciences in other ways.
• AI and Copyright in Creative Industries:
  • The government aims to protect copyright and intellectual property within the creative industries from the impact of AI.
  • A consultation is underway to ensure legal certainty for AI developers and the creative industries and to promote more licensing of copyrighted material by AI developers.
  • Concerns were raised about the financial instability of visual artists, with the government committed to ensuring artists have future revenue streams, similar to implementations in New Zealand and Australia.
• NHS Diagnostic Processes and Technological Innovation:
  • The government is working with the Department of Health and Social Care to support technological innovations to accelerate NHS diagnostic processes.
  • Initiatives include health innovation networks that have enabled 1.2 million patients to access innovations, and the use of AI models to speed up diagnostic waiting times.
  • The government is encouraged to support the use of existing health checks and new technologies, such as those used in a global-first trial of personalized cancer vaccines.
• Gigabit Broadband in Rural Areas:
  • The government has announced a £289 million contract to provide gigabit-capable broadband to 131,000 rural premises in England and Wales.
  • Concerns were raised about slow broadband speeds in specific rural areas, with ministers promising to meet with the representatives of those constituencies to ensure better connectivity.
• Employer National Insurance Contributions Impact on Science and Technology:
  • The government has increased R&D investment to record levels to mitigate the impact of rising employer national insurance contributions.
  • Universities, crucial to the UK’s research ecosystem, are facing additional costs which might affect their research and recruitment capabilities.
  • The government is committed to supporting universities financially and reversing previous cuts.
• Innovation in Staffordshire:
  • The government is investing over £29 million in 70 innovation projects in Staffordshire.
  • A notable project includes the Staffordshire net zero skills for growth, aimed at seizing opportunities during the transition to net zero.
  • A new multimillion-pound facility at Stafford campus will help provide technical skills to support regional and national productivity.
• Technology in Access to Public Services:
  • The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is leading efforts to establish a digital centre of Government to transform public services.
  • Initiatives are focused on improving digital inclusion and accessibility, with plans to outline digital priorities in the coming months.
  • Digital technology is being used to support independent living, with national standards for care technologies and funding for home adaptations in the pipeline.
• Digital Exclusion and Public Services:
  • The government is addressing digital exclusion by ensuring public sector services are accessible and comply with accessibility regulations.
  • A digital inclusion strategy is being developed to ensure everyone can participate in digital society, with collaboration across various sectors to target interventions effectively.
• Internet Protocol Television Switchover:
  • The government is committed to ensuring universal access to television, with broadcast TV legally protected until 2034.
  • Plans are in development for a digital inclusion plan to ensure nobody is left behind in the transition to internet protocol television.
• Support for British Companies Pursuing Sustainable Technology:
  • The government is supporting companies like Rolls-Royce in developing sustainable technologies such as small modular reactors, emphasizing the importance of technological innovation in achieving net zero.
• Children’s Wellbeing Bill and Protection Against Abuse:
  • The Prime Minister emphasized the need for immediate action rather than further inquiries into the decades-long rape gang scandal.
  • The children’s wellbeing Bill is crucial for protecting vulnerable children, with opposition from some quarters seen as obstructionist to necessary action.
  • The government is committed to ensuring protections are in place, highlighting the importance of the legislation in safeguarding children.
• Housing and Social Housing:
  • The government has committed to building 1.5 million new homes, including a focus on social housing to ensure families can live in dignity.
  • Reforms to the right to buy scheme and the introduction of council tax premiums for second homes are among the measures to address housing issues.
• Crackdown on Crime and Community Safety:
  • The government plans to increase police numbers and introduce tough new respect orders to enhance community safety and tackle crime more effectively.
• Holocaust Education and Antisemitism:
  • Efforts to combat antisemitism through Holocaust education include the construction of a new Holocaust memorial and learning centre and continued funding for relevant programs.
• Resolving Issues in Pension Schemes:
  • The government is reviewing proposals to return investment reserves to members of the British coal staff superannuation scheme, similar to arrangements made with the mineworkers’ pension scheme.
• International Cricket and Gender Equality:
  • Discussions are underway with international counterparts regarding boycotting cricket matches with Afghanistan due to gender inequality issues, with a focus on supporting the rights of women and girls.

The session exhibits significant levels of disagreement across various topics, leading to a rating of 4 for disagreement. Key points of contention include:

1. Mathematical Sciences Academy: There is a clear disagreement between Jack Rankin’s advocacy for the academy and The Secretary of State’s stance that other forms of support are more appropriate, highlighting a policy dispute within the science and technology sector.

2. Copyright and AI in Creative Industries: While there is a general agreement on the need to protect copyright, there are underlying disagreements on how best to implement protection, especially with regards to the financial instability of visual artists and the potential impact of copyright exceptions on AI development.

3. Employer National Insurance Contributions: This is a highly contentious issue, with Rebecca Paul expressing concern over the increases impacting the science sector, particularly universities, and the Secretary of State defending the Government’s actions and blaming previous administrations. The exchange with Alan Mak further escalates the disagreement, accusing the government of failing the tech sector.

4. Calls for a National Inquiry into Rape Gangs: This topic sees particularly strong disagreement between Mrs Kemi Badenoch and the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister emphasizes immediate action over further inquiries, while Mrs Badenoch insists on a national inquiry to uncover the extent of the issue and address systemic failures. This disagreement becomes quite heated.

5. Prime Minister’s Questions: The exchanges in PMQs show various degrees of disagreement across issues from housing policy to international cricket, with specific contention on the Prime Minister’s decisions regarding national insurance, social care, and the absence of a national inquiry.

These points of contention, coupled with the tone and intensity of some exchanges, suggest a high level of disagreement throughout the session, warranting a rating of 4.