Written questions by Fortune.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he had with the Advanced Research and Invention Agency on the AI Opportunities Action Plan before its publication.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was developed by Matt Clifford, sets out how we will achieve our AI ambitions by laying the foundations for AI growth, driving adoption and building UK capability at the frontier. UKRI representatives, including research councils, have been engaged throughout the development of the AI Opportunities Action Plan. We are committed to working closely with the UKRI who are a critical delivery partner for key elements of the Action plan. We will continue to engage widely across the AI ecosystem as government takes the Action Plan forward.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he had with the Natural Environment Research Council on the AI Opportunities Action Plan before its publication.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was developed by Matt Clifford, sets out how we will achieve our AI ambitions by laying the foundations for AI growth, driving adoption and building UK capability at the frontier. UKRI representatives, including research councils, have been engaged throughout the development of the AI Opportunities Action Plan. We are committed to working closely with the UKRI who are a critical delivery partner for key elements of the Action plan. We will continue to engage widely across the AI ecosystem as government takes the Action Plan forward.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he had with the Arts and Humanities Research Council on the AI Opportunities Action Plan before its publication.

The AI Opportunities Action Plan, which was developed by Matt Clifford, sets out how we will achieve our AI ambitions by laying the foundations for AI growth, driving adoption and building UK capability at the frontier. UKRI representatives, including research councils, have been engaged throughout the development of the AI Opportunities Action Plan. We are committed to working closely with the UKRI who are a critical delivery partner for key elements of the Action plan. We will continue to engage widely across the AI ecosystem as government takes the Action Plan forward.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Open access restriction at Angram Moor.

We have a duty to publish a notice when we review statutory directions to restrict or exclude access. GOV.UK and Citizen space are the ways in which Governments chose to disseminate its information and publicise its consultations. Therefore, we use these existing Government websites for this purpose, posting a notification on GOV.UK that points to a Consultation Summary Report and any other associated documents (usually a map) on Defra’s Citizen Space website. We can send hard copies of consultation documents and outcomes on request and can receive correspondence by post. We are also required to consult the Local Access Forum and send a copy of the notice to the persons to be notified. These include: the access authority, British Association of Shooting and Conservation, British Mountaineering Council, NRW – (if the land adjoins land in Wales), Country Land and Business Association, National Farmers’ Union, Open Spaces Society and Ramblers’ Association. We do this by email.We publish an Outcome Report online.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility to people who are digitally excluded of the consultation on Open access restriction at Stanbury Moor.

We have a duty to publish a notice when we review statutory directions to restrict or exclude access. GOV.UK and Citizen space are the ways in which Governments chose to disseminate its information and publicise its consultations. Therefore, we use these existing Government websites for this purpose, posting a notification on GOV.UK that points to a Consultation Summary Report and any other associated documents (usually a map) on Defra’s Citizen Space website. We can send hard copies of consultation documents and outcomes on request and can receive correspondence by post. We are also required to consult the Local Access Forum and send a copy of the notice to the persons to be notified. These include: the access authority, British Association of Shooting and Conservation, British Mountaineering Council, NRW – (if the land adjoins land in Wales), Country Land and Business Association, National Farmers’ Union, Open Spaces Society and Ramblers’ Association. We do this by email.We publish an Outcome Report online.

If she will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation on Benchmarking operators’ performance in rail passenger assistance, published on 16 December 2024.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR), like the Department for Transport, follows Government accessibility standards for its online content - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/accessibility-requirements-for-public-sector-websites-and-apps. ORR outlines the steps it takes to make content on accessible in its accessibility statement https://www.orr.gov.uk/accessibility-statement. The statement also sets out how users can request alternative versions of website content; provide feedback on website accessibility; or make complaints about the accessibility of website content. For the Benchmarking operators' performance in rail passenger assistance consultation, https://www.orr.gov.uk/search-consultations/benchmarking-operators-performance-rail-passenger-assistance, ORR has provided alternative versions of the consultation document (including larger print and easy read versions) and alternative ways to respond (online form, email, post, easy read form).

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with businesses on the UK's approach to supporting research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing child sexual abuse images created by generative Artificial Intelligence since July 2024.

The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including CSAM content created using AI technology. Ofcom has set out steps providers can take for these duties in draft codes of practice and will develop these iteratively. These steps include measures to detect, prevent and remove CSAM. The Act requires Ofcom to consult extensively when drafting its codes and Ofcom has an ongoing programme of research. The first code is due to come into force in Spring 2025.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with universities on the UK's approach to supporting research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing child sexual abuse images created by generative Artificial Intelligence since July 2024.

The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including CSAM content created using AI technology. Ofcom has set out steps providers can take for these duties in draft codes of practice and will develop these iteratively. These steps include measures to detect, prevent and remove CSAM. The Act requires Ofcom to consult extensively when drafting its codes and Ofcom has an ongoing programme of research. The first code is due to come into force in Spring 2025.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with UK Research and Innovation on their approach to supporting research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing child sexual abuse images created by generative Artificial Intelligence since July 2024.

The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including CSAM content created using AI technology. Ofcom has set out steps providers can take for these duties in draft codes of practice and will develop these iteratively. These steps include measures to detect, prevent and remove CSAM. The Act requires Ofcom to consult extensively when drafting its codes and Ofcom has an ongoing programme of research. The first code is due to come into force in Spring 2025.

Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, published on 17 December 2024.

The Intellectual Property Office launched the ‘Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Consultation’ on 17th December 2024. As per the Governments Publishing Accessible Documents guidance, the document is published in HTML format, making it easier for users to find and navigate. The survey for users to respond to is also hosted on an accessible platform. We provided a PDF version, as per Government guidance on publishing official documents. The summary of responses is in open format (Government standard) complying with accessibility guidelines and providing ease of use. As with all of our publications, users can request an alternative format by emailing information@ipo.gov.uk.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Horizon Europe on opportunities for research into (a) detecting, (b) preventing and (c) removing child sexual abuse images created by generative Artificial Intelligence since July 2024.

The government has regular meetings with research and business organisations on matters relating to online safety and AI. The Online Safety Act places duties on platforms to proactively detect, prevent and remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including CSAM content created using AI technology. Ofcom has set out steps providers can take for these duties in draft codes of practice and will develop these iteratively. These steps include measures to detect, prevent and remove CSAM. The Act requires Ofcom to consult extensively when drafting its codes and Ofcom has an ongoing programme of research. The first code is due to come into force in Spring 2025.

Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the call for evidence on DSIT Central Statistics User Engagement Exercise, published on 18 December 2024.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology launched the call for evidence ‘DSIT Central Statistics User Engagement Exercise’ on GOV.UK on 18 December 2024, with more information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/dsit-central-statistics-user-engagement-exerciseAs per the Government’s Publishing Accessible Documents guidance, the user engagement exercise document is published in HTML format to make it easier to read and to find. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is hosted on an accessible platform. The option to respond directly via email is also provided.Users who have queries on the user engagement exercise were invited to contact statistics@dsit.gov.uk

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation on Proposed changes to the water company drought plan guideline, published on 16 December 2024.

The Environment Agency launched the consultation ‘Proposed changes to the water company drought plan guideline’ on GOV.UK on 16 December 2024, with more information available at the following link: Proposed changes to the water company drought plan guideline - GOV.UK As per the Government’s Publishing Accessible Documents guidance, the consultation document is published in HTML format to make it easier to read and to find. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is also hosted on an accessible platform. The draft regulations which accompany the consultation are lengthy and technical in nature, and so these are published as a PDF to preserve formatting and technical content. Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the draft regulations in an accessible format by emailing enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.. Users who have queries on the consultation or require an alternative format can also contact enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation on Raising product standards for space heating, published on 17 December 2024.

The Department launched the consultation ‘Raising product standards for space heating’ on GOV.UK on 17 December 2024, with more information available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/raising-product-standards-for-space-heating (opens in a new tab) Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the consultation and supporting documents in an accessible format by emailing alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk. Users who have queries on the consultation can also contact spaceheatingstandards@energysecurity.gov.uk.

If he will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation on UK Emissions Trading Scheme: free allocation review - carbon leakage, published on 16 December 2024.

The UK ETS Authority published the Free Allocation Review Carbon Leakage consultation in response to a call from stakeholders to see a draft UK Carbon Leakage List. The consultation also seeks to provides greater clarity on Free Allocation adjustments for sectors covered by the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. While the consultation is technical in nature, there are annexes published alongside it to explain the methodology taken to develop proposals. In addition, during the consultation window over January to March, events for UK ETS participants and other interested stakeholders will take place to improve accessibility of the technical content.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the call for evidence on Capacity Market: consumer-led flexibility, published on 16 December 2024.

The Department published the call for evidence on Capacity Market: consumer-led flexibility on GOV.UK and is content that it meets the expected accessibility standards to allow all interested parties to contribute their views. Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the call for evidence in an alternative format by emailing alt.formats@energysecurity.gov.uk.

Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation on Draft information and guidance on storm overflows, published on 16 December 2024.

The Department launched the consultation ‘Draft information and guidance on storm overflows’ on GOV.UK on 21 November 2024, with more information available at the following link: Draft information and guidance on storm overflows - GOV.UK The consultation documents are lengthy and technical in nature and so these are published as a PDF to preserve formatting and technical content. Users of assistive technology (such as screen readers) can request a copy of the documents in an accessible format by emailing stormoverflows.consultation@defra.gov.uk.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of AI regulation in (a) detecting, (b) preventing, and (c) removing child sexual abuse images created by generative artificial intelligence.

AI generated child sexual abuse images are illegal material. It is an offence to produce, store or share any material that contains or depicts child sexual abuse, regardless of whether the material depicts a real child or not.The government engages regularly with the tech sector, including AI companies, to support them in making their platforms safer for children.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the consultation on Local audit reform: a strategy for overhauling the local audit system in England, published on 18 December 2024.

The Department launched a statement of intent and consultation ‘Local audit reform: a strategy for overhauling the local audit system in England’ on GOV.UK on 18 December 2024.As per the Government’s Publishing Accessible Documents guidance, the strategy uses accessible language to outline complex proposals and is published in both HTML and PDF formats to make it easier to read and find information. The digital survey for users to respond to the consultation is hosted on an accessible platform.Officials are also engaging directly with key stakeholders as part of the consultation process.Any queries on the consultation or any requests for an alternative format can be directed to the team at localaudit@communities.gov.uk.

Communities and Local Government, if she will make an assessment of the adequacy of the accessibility of the Consultation: provisional local government finance settlement 2025 to 2026, published on 18 December 2024.

The Ministry of Housing, Local Government and Communities published the 2025-26 provisional local government finance settlement and launched the consultation on its proposals on GOV.UK on 18 December 2024. The consultation closed on 15 January 2025.Responses to this consultation were able to be submitted via email, letter, or the online survey conducted on MHCLG’s Citizen Space website which is linked on the 2025-26 provisional local government finance settlement GOV.UK webpage.MHCLG ensures its consultation information meets the accessibility requirements for these websites. The accessibility statements for GOV.UK is here and for Citizen Space is here. This sets out what steps have been taken to make the website as accessible as possible, including for people who rely on assistive technology.