Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many meetings about artificial intelligence and copyright issues took place between Ministers and officials from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and representatives of the Tony Blair Institute between July 2024 and March 2025; and what were the dates and outcomes of those meetings.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a range of stakeholders about AI and Copyright issues, including the Tony Blair Institute.

Ministerial meetings and engagements are published through quarterly transparency reports on gov.uk.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many meetings about artificial intelligence and copyright issues took place between Ministers and officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and representatives of the Tony Blair Institute between July 2024 and March 2025; and what the dates and outcomes were of those meetings.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

No meetings took place between Ministers and officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and representatives of the Tony Blair Institute between July 2024 and March 2025.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many meetings have been held by ministers and officials at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport between July 2024 and February 2025 specifically addressing artificial intelligence and copyright issues; what was the distribution of these meetings between representatives of (1) creative industries, (2) artificial intelligence technology companies, and (3) meetings with both sectors represented, with a breakdown of these figures by month; and whether minutes of these meetings are publicly available.

Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is committed to hearing a broad range of views to help inform its approach to copyright and AI.

Ministerial meetings are published according to normal transparency requirements.

The current best estimate of the number of meetings involving officials at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (including the Intellectual Property Office) and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport between July 2024 and February 2025 is in the table below.

This includes meetings where officials from both departments attended.

The minutes of official level meetings are not routinely published

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to introduce specific legislation addressing copyright and artificial intelligence following their consultation; what consideration they have given to incorporating copyright protections for creative works within the Data (Use and Access) Bill rather than through separate legislation; and what impact assessment they have conducted on the potential effects on creative industries of the Data (Use and Access) Bill being enacted before establishing clear copyright frameworks for artificial intelligence.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government’s consultation on Copyright and AI closed on 25^th February. It would be premature to legislate now: the Government is clear that no changes will be considered unless we are completely satisfied we are delivering a solution which works for creators. Our priority is to review the evidence from the consultation which will inform the Government response, including any legislative proposals.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what specific funding initiatives are currently allocated to support traditional craftsmanship and skills preservation within Stoke-on-Trent's historic pottery industry; and whether they intend to increase investment in apprenticeship programmes focused on ceramic manufacturing skills.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The craft sector has developed the level 3 craft technician apprenticeship standard, which includes a ceramicist training option. In February 2025 the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the Heritage Crafts Association held a stakeholder engagement event for heritage craft industries promoting the benefits of apprenticeships and technical education qualifications.

The department will continue to support learners who wish to have a career in pottery and ceramic manufacturing through its technical education offer, with a range of high-quality qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities available at all levels. We recognise the crucial role that colleges and providers play in delivering the skills training and innovation needed for our current and future workforce. An example of this is T Levels in Craft and Design, giving 16 to 19-year-olds the knowledge and skills needed for entry to a range of occupations in this sector.

Local skills improvement plans (LSIPs) are an initiative funded by the department to support meeting local skills needs. The Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire LSIP, developed by Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce as the designated employer representative body, includes engineering and advanced manufacturing, including ceramics, in its key sectors and priorities.

Stoke on Trent College’s accountability statement highlights how their strategic aims and objectives align to the LSIP priorities, including ceramics. It delivers ceramics and pottery throwing skills and the adult level 2 award in ceramics together with their apprenticeship provision supports local pottery manufacturing, typically via engineering apprentices for members of their technician staff.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what tax incentives or business rate relief measures they are considering to support small and medium-sized pottery enterprises in Stoke-on-Trent, particularly those focusing on traditional production methods and local employment.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has introduced a number of tax measures to support small and medium-sized enterprises across the country, including those in the pottery sector in Stoke-on-Trent.

At the Autumn Budget, the Government published the Corporate Tax Roadmap to provide certainty for businesses to invest, committing to maintaining the Annual Investment Allowance at £1 million, which covers the qualifying expenditure of the vast majority of businesses.

The Government also took the decision to support the smallest businesses by increasing the Employment Allowance to £10,500, which means that this year, 865,000 employers (43%) will pay no National Insurance contributions at all.

At Autumn Budget, the Government also froze the small business multiplier. Together with Small Business Rates Relief, which exempts over a third of properties from business rates, these measures protect 90% of properties from inflationary increases in business rate liabilities. The Government also remains committed to delivering a fairer business rates system.

The Government keeps all tax reliefs under review, in order to ensure they strike the right balance between keeping taxes simple to administer, well-targeted and effective.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential economic benefits of establishing a dedicated Cultural Heritage Zone in Stoke-on-Trent, similar to models employed in Jingdezhen, China, that might integrate pottery production with cultural tourism and educational opportunities.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government recognises Stoke-on-Trent’s rich ceramics heritage and its potential for economic growth. While no formal assessment has been made of the potential economic benefits of a dedicated Cultural Heritage Zone, we are continuing to support the city’s creative and heritage sectors through a range of initiatives. Our support includes £370,000 to boost creative industry skills in Stoke-on-Trent College, alongside the Small Community and Heritage Assets Grants Programme which has supported creative businesses in the region.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what interdepartmental collaboration exists between the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to develop a comprehensive strategy for the sustainable growth of Stoke-on-Trent's pottery industry as both a manufacturing sector and a cultural asset.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government recognises Stoke-on-Trent’s rich ceramics heritage and its potential for economic growth. While no formal assessment has been made of the potential economic benefits of a dedicated Cultural Heritage Zone, we are continuing to support the city’s creative and heritage sectors through a range of initiatives. Our support includes £370,000 to boost creative industry skills in Stoke-on-Trent College, alongside the Small Community and Heritage Assets Grants Programme which has supported creative businesses in the region.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to facilitate export opportunities for Stoke-on-Trent's pottery manufacturers, particularly to high-value international markets; and whether they have considered implementing targeted export assistance programs specifically for the sector.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to supporting businesses, including Stroke-on-Trent’s pottery manufacturers, grow and export. Under the umbrella of the recently announced Business Growth Service, UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises an online support offer and a wider network of support including the Export Academy, UK Export Finance, the International Markets network and one-to-one support from International Trade Advisers.

This support is available to all UK businesses including those that manufacture and wish to export pottery. DBT’s International Trade Advisers will also continue to work closely with Ceramics UK to ensure businesses in the sector access this support.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what research they have commissioned or reviewed regarding the successful revitalisation strategies employed in Jingdezhen, China's pottery industry; and how these insights might be adapted to strengthen Stoke-on-Trent's ceramics sector while respecting its unique heritage and market position.

Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Department of Business and Trade works closely with the sector to understand its challenges and provide support to help its global competitiveness.

Through our continued engagement with Ceramics UK and its membership, we will inquire whether the sector has any thoughts on revitalisation strategies deployed in China.