🌍 Oral Answers to Questions

Commons Chamber

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The UK Parliament discussed crucial issues related to technology and public safety, focusing on tackling technology-enabled violence against women and girls, with new amendments proposed to address the creation of non-consensual deepfakes. The session also highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting motor neurone disease research and advancements in the UK’s space industry, with significant investments in space launches. Furthermore, concerns about mobile coverage and the effectiveness of Ofcom’s reporting were addressed, with a promise to improve connectivity and support for digital inclusion. The discussion underscored the government’s efforts to balance technological innovation with public welfare and safety.

Summary

  • Technology-Enabled Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG):
    • Sarah Owen highlighted the issue of AI apps that can create non-consensual deepfakes, particularly targeting teenagers.
    • Secretary Peter Kyle responded that the government is committed to halving violence against women and girls over a decade and is working on amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill to make the creation of non-consensual deepfakes illegal.
  • Support for Trafficking Victims:
    • Josh Babarinde praised the work of Bramber Bakehouse, a social enterprise supporting trafficking victims in Eastbourne.
    • Secretary Kyle acknowledged this and affirmed the government’s commitment to addressing trafficking.
  • Harmful Social Media Algorithms:
    • Chi Onwurah inquired about the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act 2023 in addressing harmful social media algorithms that promote misogyny and extremism.
    • Secretary Kyle assured that new powers to remove illegal content and ensure age-appropriate online content are being implemented, with plans for further action if necessary.
  • Implementation of Online Safety Act 2023:
    • Graham Leadbitter expressed concerns about categorising online platforms under the Online Safety Act 2023.
    • Secretary Kyle emphasized that all platforms, regardless of size, must remove illegal content and comply with the new regulations.
  • Data Collection and VAWG:
    • Dr. Ben Spencer raised issues with the collection and use of biological sex data as highlighted in the Sullivan report.
    • Secretary Kyle stated that he has engaged with government departments and plans to meet with the report’s author to ensure proper action is taken.
  • Motor Neurone Disease Research:
    • Frank McNally asked about further government support for motor neurone disease (MND) research.
    • Feryal Clark, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, confirmed ongoing collaboration with health departments and investment in MND research, including £10 million in 2023-24 and an additional £6 million project.
  • UK Space Launch Plans:
    • Douglas McAllister queried the Department’s plans for supporting UK space launches.
    • Secretary Kyle discussed investments in space launch capabilities, including £20 million for Orbex, and highlighted the planned launches from SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland.
  • Mobile Coverage and Ofcom’s Reporting:
    • Claire Hughes raised concerns about mobile coverage and Ofcom’s reporting inaccuracies, especially impacting vulnerable customers.
    • Chris Bryant, the Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, acknowledged the issue and committed to improving Ofcom’s reporting and addressing coverage issues.
  • Regulation of Smaller Online Platforms:
    • Susan Murray inquired about protecting children from online harms on smaller platforms.
    • Secretary Kyle confirmed that the Online Safety Act 2023 mandates all platforms to comply with child safety rules and that Ofcom is actively working to address these issues.
  • Digital Inclusion in Sherwood Forest:
    • Michelle Welsh asked about progress on digital inclusion in her constituency.
    • Chris Bryant detailed the recent digital inclusion action plan, aimed at ensuring everyone has access to digital services, including in rural and deprived areas.
  • Creative Industries and AI:
    • Dame Meg Hillier raised concerns about the impact of AI on the creative industries and protecting creator content.
    • Secretary Kyle affirmed ongoing discussions with the relevant sectors and government departments to ensure both are prepared for future challenges and opportunities.
  • Spring Statement and Economic Plans:
    • Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlined commitments in the spring statement, including infrastructure projects and investments in housing and training.
    • He highlighted efforts to reduce NHS waiting lists and addressed Labour’s policy to ban phones in schools, emphasizing the focus on controlling online content.

Divisiveness

The session displays a moderate level of disagreement, primarily centered around policy critiques and calls for action rather than outright confrontations or heated debates. Here are the key points of disagreement and their analysis:

  1. Technology-Enabled Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG):
    • Sarah Owen (Lab) questions the effectiveness of current measures against AI-enabled VAWG, pressing for more action against AI companies. Peter Kyle (Sec. of State) responds by outlining existing and future legislative measures, indicating a disagreement on the sufficiency of current actions but not a direct confrontation.
  2. Online Safety and Regulation:
    • There is a recurring theme of concern over the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act 2023 and Ofcom’s role. Chi Onwurah (Lab) and Susan Murray (LD) both raise issues about the adequacy of current regulations, with Peter Kyle responding by affirming the government’s commitment to monitor and enhance these measures. This shows a disagreement on the effectiveness of current policies but with a constructive tone.
  3. Mobile Coverage Reporting:
    • Chris Bryant (Minister) acknowledges the over-optimism in Ofcom’s mobile coverage reporting, indicating a self-critique rather than a disagreement with others. However, Mark Pritchard (Con) pushes for more competition and questions the shared rural network agreement’s progress, showing a mild disagreement on the approach to improving mobile coverage.
  4. Economic Policies and Taxation:
    • Alan Mak (Con) criticizes the government’s economic policies, particularly the ‘jobs tax’, and its impact on the tech sector. Peter Kyle defends the government’s economic environment, showing a clear disagreement on economic strategy but without escalating into a heated exchange.
  5. Education and School Policies:
    • Mrs Kemi Badenoch (Con) challenges the Prime Minister on the decision to not ban phones in schools and the impact of national insurance hikes on schools. The Prime Minister defends the government’s stance, indicating a disagreement on policy effectiveness and priorities but maintaining a professional dialogue.
  6. Shale Gas Wells:
    • Sir Julian Lewis (Con) questions the decision to permanently seal shale gas wells, expressing concern over future energy security. The Prime Minister defends the move towards renewable energy, showing a disagreement on energy policy but with a focus on long-term strategy.

Overall, the disagreements are policy-focused and expressed in a manner that seeks clarification and improvement rather than confrontation. The session does not exhibit high levels of tension or personal attacks, hence the rating of 2 for moderate disagreement.