Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of proposals to indefinitely recognise CE-marked medical devices on the availability of medical technologies in the UK.

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

Approximately 90% of medical devices currently on the British market are CE marked and their continued supply to the National Health Service and wider health system is vital for patient access to essential products. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency recognises CE marked products until 2028 or 2030, depending on risk classification and the European Union legislation they comply with. The proposals are intended to allow continued access to medical devices that have been assessed as safe and effective in the EU while aligning with international best practice. As Northern Ireland follows EU medical devices regulations, continued recognition of CE marked medical devices in Great Britain would further support the functioning of the UK Internal Market, as manufacturers could continue to place the same product on the entire United Kingdom market.

The proposals are anticipated to drive growth in the medical technology sector by reducing administrative costs and safeguarding the continued supply of medical technologies. The purpose of the proposed policy is to enable indefinite market access for CE marked medical devices on the British market. The impact on safety, availability, and favourability may vary depending on whether all devices are recognised, or just devices that are the same risk class in Great Britain, or lower. An assessment of each proposal against the availability of medical devices can be found in Annex C of the published consultation document, which is available on the GOV.UK website.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of AI tools in supporting radiologists and improving diagnostic capacity in the NHS breast screening programme.

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

The Department is actively testing artificial intelligence (AI) in areas with significant impact on health and the economy. AI tools have demonstrated clear potential in aiding radiologists and enhancing diagnostic capacity within the National Health Service, especially in breast screening.

While no formal assessment has yet been completed, emerging evidence is already highlighting the benefits that AI can provide to the NHS. Previously, two radiologists were required to review each scan, but now an AI assistant can perform a preliminary check, which is then verified by a qualified radiologist. This approach reduces the number of radiologists needed to review each scan, but it does not result in fewer radiologists employed by the NHS. Instead, it enables clinicians to work more efficiently and to review a greater volume of scans, thereby improving diagnostic capacity and ensuring more patients are seen promptly.

Furthermore, on 4 February 2025, the Department announced that nearly 700,000 women nationwide will participate in the world-leading Early Detection using Information Technology in Health (EDITH) trial. This initiative aims to test advanced AI tools to detect breast cancer cases earlier and is supported by £11 million of Government funding through the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

The Department is pursuing significant initiatives to evaluate and expand the use of AI in NHS breast screening. Early evidence points to improved efficiency and diagnostic capacity, and the EDITH trial will further examine the potential of AI in delivering earlier detection of breast cancer for patients across the country.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of generative AI tools by consumers for pension planning and investment decision-making; and what steps they are taking to ensure that appropriate consumer protections and regulatory safeguards are in place.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

HMT has recently appointed Harriet Rees and Rohit Dhawan as Financial Services AI Champions. They will focus on helping firms seize opportunities of AI while protecting consumers and ensuring financial stability.

In recognition of growing consumer interest in these tools, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published information for consumers on using AI for investment research. This sets out the pros and cons of such tools, including the risk of incorrect or out-of-date information, and makes clear that advice from general purpose AI tools is not regulated and does not benefit from protections such as the Financial Services Compensation Scheme or the Financial Ombudsman Service.

The FCA also launched the Mills Review in January 2026 which will consider the implications of advanced AI on consumers, retail financial markets and regulators. The review will help the FCA support innovation while promoting the safe and trusted adoption of AI in retail financial services.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that AI tools are deployed safely in schools under the expansion of the EdTech Testbeds pilot programme.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The government is taking clear, evidence-based steps to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) tools are deployed safely. The EdTech Testbeds programme will test educational technologies, including AI and Assistive Technologies, in real education settings to evaluate their impact on workload, learner outcomes and inclusion. Alongside this, we have introduced Generative AI Product Safety Standards, which set out strict safeguards. These include child-centred design, enhanced filtering of harmful content and strong data protection and safeguarding requirements.

To support safe adoption, we have published materials created with the Chiltern Learning Trust and the Chartered College of Teaching, to help teachers and leaders use AI responsibly and effectively.

These measures, combined with strengthened digital and technology standards for all schools, ensure that AI can be introduced safely while delivering meaningful educational benefits.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the contribution of fintech lending platforms to improving access to working capital for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK is a world leader in Fintech, and attracted $3.6 billion of investment in 2025, second only to the US. The Government is committed to making the UK the world’s most technologically advanced global financial centre, and remaining a leading jurisdiction for fintech firms to start-up, scale and list.

Fintechs and specialist banks are an essential part of the UK's credit landscape, including access to working capital. The share of total nominal gross bank lending to SMEs by challenger and specialist banks in 2024 was 60 per cent.

Business models and financial technology have also evolved substantially, with more competition both for business banking and credit provision, increasing the options available to small and medium-sized enterprises to invest in and grow their businesses.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications for employment law, taxation and consumer protection of workers being paid in stablecoins or other digital assets.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Income Tax, National Insurance Contributions and PAYE rules for non-money earnings apply to stablecoins and other cryptoassets in the same way as other assets. HMRC has set out guidance explaining how tax rules apply to employment earnings in the form of cryptoassets.

As the market for cryptoassets evolves, the Government will continue to keep the tax framework under review.

The Government has also introduced a new financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets which will raise standards, strengthen consumer protection, and address market abuse.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of competition within the UK’s retail payments market, particularly in relation to international card schemes; and what steps they are taking to support the development of competitive domestic payment infrastructure.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The UK has a diverse and competitive retail payments ecosystem, with a significant number of entrants into the sector in recent years.

The UK nonetheless remains a heavily card-based market. The Government recognises that greater choice in how to make and receive payments is likely to increase innovation and downward competitive pressure on the cost of payments.

In the National Payments Vision the government set out its ambition for account-to-account payments to be developed as a ubiquitous payment method – enabling consumers to pay digitally for goods and services in shops and online, without using a card. A new Retail Payments Infrastructure Board, chaired by the Bank of England and with representation from across the payments ecosystem, is currently working to design the UK’s future retail payments infrastructure in line with the government’s vision.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of AI tools integrated in e-commerce platforms in supporting productivity growth of small and medium-sized enterprises; and what impact that assessment has on their strategy for digital adoption by UK businesses.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

AI tools integrated into e-commerce platforms can help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to become more productive by automating routine tasks and improving data-based decision-making, for example on marketing, customer service and stock management.

The Department for Business and Trade is committed to increasing SME digital capability and AI confidence and is implementing the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce recommendations to address barriers such as lack of information, resources and skills. This includes convening industry roundtables to partner on delivering more, running local digital adoption pilots to test what support works best as well as linking up with the Business Growth Service to improve SME access to existing support.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of financial data by departments to support strategic decision-making and value-for-money assessments; and what steps they are taking to strengthen financial management capability in the public sector.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government routinely assesses how departments use financial information to support strategic decision-making and value for money. This includes scrutiny during Spending Reviews, regular engagement between HM Treasury and departments on budgets and forecasts, an End-of-Year assessment measuring financial performance, through departmental Annual Reports and Accounts, and through National Audit Office examinations, which provide independent assurance on the quality, transparency and use of financial data.

Departments routinely provide finance data to the HM Treasury OSCAR system, setting out their forecasts, budgets and spend to date. Departments report their forecast and actual efficiencies to HM Treasury. Accounting Officers of departments are responsible for value for money in the use of public funds, and in this they are supported by the guidance, budgeting and accounting framework provided by HM Treasury.

The Government is taking steps to strengthen financial management capability across the public sector through the Government Finance Function’s learning and development offer, which aims to build financial capability and develop a skilled and talented workforce. The Finance Function’s Government Finance Academy provides core learning offers which strengthen financial literacy across Government in key areas such as value for money, budgeting & forecasting, and provides professional training and development for finance professionals.

The Function also supports the development of talent pipelines and leadership capability across departments by building career frameworks and pathways that support progression. The Function connects some 9,000 finance professionals across government through its communities, networks and events, which further builds financial capability by providing opportunities for shared learning and fostering professional excellence.

The Government is modernising finance operations to support better decision‑making, including enhancing digital skills, promoting modern finance practices and encouraging the adoption of shared services and improved systems. Through common finance standards and data approaches the function enables departments to access high‑quality, reliable financial information, underpinning stronger financial management and improved value for money across government.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the use of artificial intelligence tools by consumers when making mortgage and other financial product decisions, and (2) the implications of that use for consumer protection.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The majority of mortgage loans are intermediated. Mortgage brokers are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and must comply with FCA Rules including the Consumer Duty and relevant mortgage conduct rules.

Regulated firms are already required to manage technology-related risks to consumers and financial stability, including those arising from the use of artificial intelligence (AI), under existing FCA rules. These include requirements relating to governance, operational resilience and data use.

The Government believes that the safe adoption of AI by the financial services sector is a major strategic opportunity that will power growth across the economy. As set out by the Chancellor in her Mais lecture, the Government’s ambition is for the UK to be the fastest adopter of AI in the G7, to boost productivity, drive economic growth, and deliver better products for consumers.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the financial sustainability of the workforce in the United Kingdom’s film and television production sector.

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

The UK’s creative industries generated £145.8 billion in GVA in 2024 — 5.6% of the economy — with film, TV, radio and photography contributing £23.5 billion. The sector’s growth and global strengths position the UK to lead in film and television production. To realise that ambition, we need a skilled and sustainable workforce. That is why our Sector Plan designates film, TV and video games as a frontier industry, signalling their priority status for future investment and support.

From April 2026, a £75 million Screen Growth Package will support independent UK content, attract inward investment and expand skills development, creating more jobs and greater long‑term stability across the sector. The Sector Plan also boosts access to finance through the British Business Bank, expanded debt and equity options, and tailored support for producers.

We are raising standards across the sector by acting on the Good Work Review, establishing the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority and supporting the BFI’s £1.5 million WorkWise for Screen programme. Freelancers will have a stronger voice through a new Creative Freelance Champion, while the Employment Rights Act 2025 will tackle late payments, guarantee written contracts and extend health and safety protections.

We are also strengthening the skills and talent pipeline through major investment: expanding the National Film and Television School, scaling up the BFI Film Academy and delivering £725 million through the next phase of the Growth and Skills Levy, including fully funded SME apprenticeships for eligible under‑25s. From April 2026, new short courses in digital, AI and engineering will support Industrial Strategy sectors, complemented by work with DWP and Skills England to ensure training genuinely reflects the needs of creative employers.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to (1) support access to computing and AI education for schoolchildren, and (2) address disparities in digital literacy across England.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The government has accepted the relevant recommendations of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review to ensure that young people become more digitally literate through a refreshed computing curriculum, including essential AI content, that builds digital confidence from an early age. We are considering how digital content can be integrated across other subjects to build strong, transferrable digital skills, and will replace the computer science GCSE with a broader qualification reflecting the full computing curriculum.

Work is underway to develop the new curriculum, and the department will conduct a public consultation on the draft programmes of study in summer 2026. To increase the number of pupils who will benefit from the reformed national curriculum, we are legislating so that academies will be required to teach it, alongside maintained schools.

We are continuing to invest in the National Centre for Computing Education to support teachers to teach about these topics with confidence.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of fintech investment platforms on competition, costs and investment choice in the self-invested personal pension market; and what steps they are taking to support innovation in digital pension products while maintaining appropriate regulatory safeguards.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has not made a formal assessment of the impact of Fintech investment platforms on competition, costs and investment choice in the self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) market.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the regulator responsible for the SIPPs market. The FCA regularly reviews their relevant rules and regulations to ensure they are appropriate for the current market context. This includes supporting growth and innovation while maintaining appropriate regulatory safeguards to protect consumers.

As set out in the Government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, the UK aims to be the world’s most technologically advanced global financial centre, and to remain a leading jurisdiction for Fintech firms to start up, scale and list.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact and role of accelerator and innovation programmes that support the growth of early-stage financial technology firms.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

As set out in the Government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, the UK aims to be the world’s most technologically advanced global financial centre, and to remain a leading jurisdiction for Fintech firms to start up, scale and list.

The Strategy set out a comprehensive package of reforms to maintain the UK’s global leadership in Fintech. This includes creating a competitive regulatory environment by making it quicker and easier for new firms to achieve regulatory authorisation, as well as welcoming the City of London Corporation and the British Business Bank facilitating greater access to finance. The Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority have launched a joint Scale-Up Unit to enhance engagement with fast-growing innovative firms.

Research England is also supporting activity in FinTech through the INFINITY programme, a partnership led by the University of Nottingham and the University of Birmingham to help researchers explore commercial opportunities in financial technology. There has been good engagement so far, with over 100 research projects developing their business potential and a number of ventures now progressing towards market.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the risks associated with the expansion of buy-now-pay-later lending through digital wallets and online marketplaces; and how the new regulatory framework will ensure effective affordability checks and consumer protection.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government is aware that Buy‑Now, Pay‑Later (BNPL) products have become a standard feature of digital wallets and online marketplaces, allowing consumers to defer payment at the point of sale. While these products can be a convenient way to help spread the cost of purchases, the lack of regulation has left some consumers exposed to harm, particularly through unaffordable borrowing.

To address this, in July 2025 Parliament passed legislation to bring BNPL products within Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulation. The new rules will take effect this July, with the FCA having confirmed the final regulatory requirements in February.

Under the new regulatory regime, BNPL firms will be required to carry out proportionate but robust affordability assessments before lending, informed by appropriate checks on consumers’ financial circumstances and existing borrowing commitments. Firms will also be required to provide clear, timely and prominent information on repayment terms, the consequences of missed payments, and what rights consumers have, enabling them to make informed decisions. In addition, consumers will gain access to established protections for credit users, including the Financial Ombudsman Service and section 75 rights under the Consumer Credit Act. Together, these measures will support the continued use of BNPL products while ensuring appropriate consumer safeguards are in place.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Revolt being granted a banking licence on regulation and competitiveness in the fintech sector.

Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Bank authorisations are a matter for the independent Prudential Regulation Authority.

As set out in the Government’s Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy, the UK aims to be the world’s most technologically advanced global financial centre, and to remain a leading jurisdiction for Fintech firms to start up, scale and list.

The Strategy set out a comprehensive package of reforms to maintain the UK’s global leadership in Fintech. This includes creating a competitive regulatory environment by working with UK regulators to make it quicker and easier for new firms to achieve regulatory authorisation.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential role of large language models in supporting Government departments to respond to enquiries from members of the public.

Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

His Majesty’s Government continues to take a careful and evidence led approach to exploring the potential role of large language models in supporting departments to respond to enquiries from members of the public.

I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to question HL15270 on 18 March 2026.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the integration of voice-activated AI systems in consumer vehicles; and what steps they are taking to ensure that regulatory frameworks relating to safety, data protection and consumer protection are effective.

Answered by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill - Minister of State (Department for Transport)

The Department has not made a specific assessment of integration of voice-activated Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems in consumer vehicles. Applicable legislation concerning safety, data protection and consumer protection still applies irrespective of the use of AI. The Department recently bolstered this by mandating internationally recognised requirements for vehicle cyber security that it helped develop. It also continues to work internationally to understand the risks from AI in automotive applications and how they could be managed or mitigated.