Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage businesses to increase their hiring rates; and whether further support is needed to help businesses expand their workforce.

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

The Government is committed to building a firm economic foundation, working closely with businesses and workers to kickstart and rebuild our economy.

The SME Strategy will be published later this summer, including the Business Growth Service that will make it easier for businesses to get the advice and support they need to grow and thrive. The Government-backed British Business Bank aims to improve access to finance to help businesses invest and grow.

Employment is central to the recently announced Industrial Strategy, supporting growth sectors to create high-quality, well-paid jobs across the country.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UK's energy capacity to ensure that energy prices remain stable despite the increasing use of artificial intelligence.

Answered by Lord Wilson of Sedgefield - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is committed to including data centres as part of its strategic energy plans and has established the AI Energy Council. The Council will continue to identify any barriers to the growth of AI and data centres in the UK, and ensure the growth supports our clean power mission, which includes a commitment to protect consumers.

In general, the way to keep energy prices stable with increasing demand for electricity is to make the electricity wholesale price reflect the much cheaper wholesale price of clean energy. Over this Parliament the Government will be working relentlessly to achieve that.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the UK's artificial intelligence skills gap; and whether they plan to incentivise skilled workers to migrate to the UK to work in the sector.

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

Reducing the AI skills gap is critical for increasing the UK’s productivity and delivering long-term growth. DSIT regularly reviews the status of the UK’s AI labour market and has commissioned a survey of the labour market, which will be published later this year. We are also working with DfE and Skills England to assess the AI skills gap and map pathways to fill it and recently announced a joint commitment with industry to upskill 7.5 million workers with vital AI skills.

As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan and reaffirmed at the Spending Review, we have also confirmed that we will be expanding AI education in universities, launching Pioneer Fellowships for cross-disciplinary upskilling, and introducing the Sparck AI Scholarships to attract and nurture top talent in UK institutions.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the creation of artificial human DNA; and whether they plan to implement regulation on the artificial creation of human life.

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

HMG is committed to fostering responsible innovation in engineering biology and safely unlocking the benefits of the technology. Government engages regularly with experts responsible for research practices in engineering biology, including through the Engineering Biology Responsible Innovation Advisory Panel.

UKRI also plays a key role in fostering a culture of responsible innovation and promoting good research practices in biological research. UKRI recognises the importance of high ethical standards within research and has rigorous processes in place to ensure the research it funds conforms to all relevant ethical, legal and regulatory requirements.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of how implementing hiring quotas to encourage the recruitment and training of more British doctors will affect the hiring costs of the NHS.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

No assessment has been made. As set out in the 10-Year Health Plan, published on 3 July, we will work across Government to prioritise United Kingdom medical graduates for foundation training, and to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the National Health Service for a significant period for specialty training. Over the next three years we will also create 1,000 new specialty training posts with a focus on specialties where there is the greatest need.

We will publish a new 10 Year Workforce Plan later this year to deliver the transformed health service we will build over the next decade and treat patients on time again.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of artificial intelligence technology in MRI scans at NHS hospitals in Hull, and whether they plan to support wider adoption of that technology across all hospitals.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology is being used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in National Health Service hospitals, and this includes MRI acceleration software, which is an AI-driven technology that allows MRI scans to be delivered in shorter time frames. Over the past three years, from 2022 to 2025, NHS England has led significant transformation in diagnostic imaging and digital enablement, funding 275 imaging assets, including 27 new or replacement MRI scanners, and delivering 198 MRI acceleration upgrades to enhance MRI speed and efficiency.

In the North East and Yorkshire, including in Hull, 85 MRI scanners now operate, with an average age of just 6.3 years, underscoring our commitment to maintaining a modern, high-performing imaging fleet.

To date, MRI acceleration software has been deployed across 216 scanners in 80 trusts, significantly reducing scan times. Early evidence indicates scan durations may be cut by 30% to 35%, and when paired with best practice booking and scheduling, can deliver an overall 20% efficiency gain, equivalent to approximately 120,000 additional tests annually.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Royal United Services Institute, Russia, AI and the Future of Disinformation Warfare, published on 30 June, which states that artificial intelligence is being used to spread misinformation within the United Kingdom; and how they intend to defend against this.

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

The Government is aware of the Royal United Services Institute’s report, and takes the threat of foreign interference, including through artificial intelligence (AI), extremely seriously.

The Online Safety Act designates the Foreign Interference Offence as a priority offence, placing a legal duty on companies to tackle a range of state-linked disinformation, including AI-generated content. Companies must take systemic action to prevent users from encountering this content and minimise its presence on their services.

The Government continues to monitor these evolving threats and supports technical innovation to improve detection of AI-generated disinformation.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to deliver the full version of the new Gov.uk mobile app; and how they anticipate that it will help people access different government services.

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

The public beta of the GOV.UK app was launched on 1st July 2025, providing initial functionality to enhance access to government services.

The app will be developed iteratively, with new features such as the government’s generative AI chatbot – GOV.UK Chat, and GOV.UK Wallet introduced over time.

The app is designed to offer a personalised experience, proactively helping users to access and action central and local government services more easily and efficiently by understanding preferences and personal context.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of artificial intelligence technologies on the customer service sector; and what steps they are taking to support job security in the sector.

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

In November 2023, the Department for Education published a report showing the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on areas within the UK labour market and education The impact of AI on UK jobs and training - GOV.UK. The report noted that professional occupations are more exposed to AI, particularly those associated with more clerical work and across finance, law and business management roles.

The Government is committed to ensuring both learners and employers have access to crucial digital and artificial intelligence skills that have the potential to increase productivity and create new high value jobs in the UK economy. To achieve this, the Government is reforming the skills system. The Government has established Skills England to form a coherent national picture of skills gaps and to help shape the technical education system so that it is responsive to skills needs.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the number of (1) companies leaving the London Stock Exchange, and (2) new companies listed on the stock market; and whether they intend to implement further incentives to encourage companies to be listed on the London Stock Exchange.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government is committed to reinvigorating our capital markets to deliver growth, supporting firms to start, scale, list and stay in the UK.

We have already delivered an ambitious set of reforms including overhauling the Prospectus regime and Listing Rules, providing more flexibility to firms and founders raising capital on UK markets.

The government has published the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy which sets out a 10-year strategy for the sector including a focus on Capital Markets.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential of artificial intelligence to protect the environment through models that predict adverse weather conditions; and what plans they have to invest in the development of such technologies.

Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

I refer the noble Lord to the answer given on 7 July 2025 to Question HL8736.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce legislation to protect consumers from the practice of some video game companies that allows games to become unplayable after the development cycle has ended.

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

The Government is aware of concerns relating to the life-span of licensed, online-only video games and appreciates the frustrations of players of some games that have been discontinued. The Government has responded to a petition on this issue.

There are no plans to amend existing consumer law on disabling video games. Those selling games must comply with existing requirements in consumer law, and we will continue to monitor this issue.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government, in regard to the BBC report about high prices that businesses can pay to rent phone equipment on lengthy finance deals, what assessment they have made of the impact of finance agreements on equipment, such as phones, on small businesses.

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

The Department for Business and Trade has not made any assessment of the impact of financial agreements on equipment in relation to small businesses.

Businesses can reach out to the Business Support Service or their Local Growth Hub for further support and advice before taking out any finance agreements. Further financial support can be found via the Business Finance Finder on https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of artificial intelligence on the job market.

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

Government is working to harness the benefits that AI can bring in terms of economic growth, productivity gains, rising living standards, and improved worker wellbeing; while mitigating the risks. Government is planning for a range of plausible outcomes and closely monitoring the data that will help us track and prepare for these. We will continue to work closely with other government departments through the AI Opportunities Action Plan to ensure we shape AI to deliver economic prosperity for the UK.

Boxing APPG
Friday 18th July 2025

Found: Institute of Sport Lee Marsham Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Ryan Pratt Office of Lord Taylor of Warwick

Boxing APPG
Friday 18th July 2025

Found: Boxing Baroness Grey-Thompson Member of APPG Boxing Kim Johnson MP Member of APPG Boxing Lord Taylor of Warwick

Boxing APPG
Friday 18th July 2025

Found: Vice Chair of the APPG on Boxing Richard Brooke England Boxing Matt Holt GB Boxing Lord Taylor of Warwick