Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe

The Government recognises the importance of responsible and ethical AI to provide business and consumer confidence in this technology and support its adoption across the economy.

AI assurance is crucial to ensuring that AI systems are developed and deployed ethically, responsibly and safely. That is why we have designated AI assurance as a key pillar of support for meeting the commitments made in the government’s response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan.

To drive demand for AI assurance, DSIT has developed and consulted on AI Management Essentials, a self-assessment framework designed to help businesses establish responsible management practices for the development and use of AI systems.

The Government is committed to further improving air quality to unlock benefits for public health, the environment and the economy.

The environmental principles policy statement sets out how ministers should interpret and proportionately apply the principles, so that they are used effectively to shape policy to protect the environment. Environment refers to the natural environment as set out in [section 44 of] the Environment Act 2021, which includes air.

The government is committed to making transport more inclusive and accessible right across the country, so that it enables disabled people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity. Ministers are advised on accessible transport policy by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, whose membership is required to include at least 50% disabled people.

The Department for Transport also regularly meets with stakeholders to discuss a range of issues, including improving accessibility across the transport network. For example, the Department has engaged with organisations representing disabled passengers throughout the development of the Bus Services (No.2) Bill and the continuing consultation on the forthcoming Railways Bill, as well as through the engagement activities for the Integrated National Transport Strategy.

Aviation must be accessible to all. The Department for Transport launched the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group, bringing together industry and consumer advocates with first-hand experience, to consider the barriers to air travel for disabled passengers and to develop practical and achievable actions to improve aviation accessibility across the consumer journey. Two key areas the Group is considering are around communication with passengers so that they have the right information, and ensuring passengers receive a tailored service that meets their needs. The Group is set to report to the Transport Secretary with their agreed recommended actions by Summer 2025.

The Government remains committed to meeting its target of net zero emissions by 2050 and recognises the important contribution that the energy efficiency of buildings has to make in meeting it.

Through the Building Regulations, the Government sets minimum performance standards for new homes and buildings. In 2021, these standards were strengthened to ensure new homes and buildings are highly energy-efficient, with high-quality insulation and effective ventilation. These changes came into force in June 2022. We intend to introduce further changes to the Building Regulations through the Future Homes and Buildings Standards in the coming months. These standards will ensure new homes and buildings are extremely energy-efficient and use low-carbon heating.

A range of other mechanisms are being used to facilitate the retrofitting of existing buildings to higher energy efficiency standards.

We are investing £13.2bn in the Warm Homes Plan over the Spending Review period, which is a major step forward in the government’s plans to upgrade 5 million homes over this Parliament and cut energy bills for good. Through the Warm Homes Plan, we will help households take up measures like solar panels, heat pumps, home batteries and insulation, helping them save money on their bills and benefit from cleaner, cheaper heating.

Additionally, schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme help property owners make the transition from fossil fuel heating to more efficient, low-carbon systems, by offering upfront grants for self-build homes and retrofit installations, including renovation projects.

The Government’s English Devolution White Paper (attached) sets out Environment and Climate Change as a core area of competence for Strategic Authorities. It commits to strengthening their role in leading Local Nature Recovery Strategies and supporting wider environmental delivery. The White Paper also highlights opportunities for Strategic Authorities to influence energy system planning, act as heat network zoning coordinators, and embed climate adaptation principles in local services.

Alongside this, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill introduces a ‘Right to Request’, enabling Established Mayoral Strategic Authorities to seek additional devolution, including in relation to climate and environmental responsibilities. Departments across government will work with Strategic Authorities to ensure they have the tools they need to tackle climate change.

The Government is committed to ensuring that fire safety is embedded in all new and refurbished buildings.

The Building Regulations 2010 set functional requirements for fire safety in new building work, including new builds, extensions, material alterations, and certain changes of use, the Regulations are support by statutory guidance – Approved Document B (Fire Safety). Under the Building Safety Act 2022, the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) has a duty to keep the safety and standard of buildings under review.

Since the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Government has implemented a series of reforms to strengthen fire safety in new and existing buildings. These include:

• A ban on the use of combustible materials in and on the external walls of relevant buildings over 18 metres in height, introduced in 2018 and extended in 2022 to include additional building types.
• Requirements for sprinklers in new blocks of flats with a storey over 11 metres, and for wayfinding signage for firefighters in such buildings.
• Guidance on the provision of evacuation alert systems in new residential buildings over 18 metres, and secure information boxes in buildings with storeys over 11 metres.
• Enhanced requirements under Regulation 38 for the provision of fire safety information at handover, and the withdrawal of outdated national fire test classifications (BS 476) in favour of the European classification system.
• From 30 September 2026, new residential buildings with a storey at or above 18 metres will be required to include a second staircase, with transitional arrangements in place.

To ensure fire safety is considered from the earliest stages of development, Planning Gateway One was introduced in August 2021. It requires developers of relevant high-rise residential buildings to submit a fire statement with their planning applications and establishes the Health and Safety Executive as a statutory consultee.

For existing and renovated buildings, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places duties on the responsible person to carry out and regularly review a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, and to implement appropriate fire precautions.

In response to the Phase II Grenfell Inquiry Report, The Government has committed to keeping Approved Document B under continuous review.