Oral Answers to Questions

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Thursday 23rd May 2024 Commons Chamber

The hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, was asked—

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

8. What recent progress the Commission has made on using digital tools to support the work of hon. Members.

[Mr Speaker]

First, may I just say to Sir Charles that I am sorry you are stepping down? I thank you for all you have done. You have been a wonderful servant of this House, and I thank you for everything, including your service on the Commission.

[Sir Charles Walker (Broxbourne)]

Thank you for that, Mr Speaker. It has been a great privilege to serve with you on the Commission, and it has been such an honour to be in this amazing institution and to serve my country in the way I have, with the wonderful people here. Gosh, I wasn’t going to get sentimental.

Since my last answer on this issue in February 2024, the Parliamentary Digital Service has been assessing Microsoft’s generative AI toolset, Copilot, which includes artificial intelligence for mailboxes. That tool will aid Members and staff in their management of day-to-day administrative activities across Microsoft 365 applications. PDS is conducting further necessary technical work, and it is expected that a trial of the new capability will start with Members before the end of the year. I am not sure if it is Nokia compatible, but if it is, I hope it can be put on my Nokia.

[Chi Onwurah]

Mr Speaker, I echo your tribute to the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Sir Charles Walker), and thank him for his service on the House of Commons Commission and his engagement with me on this subject on many occasions.

During the dark days of covid, Mr Speaker, when many did not believe that a digital Parliament was possible and some did not want the continued scrutiny, you and I, and the House officials and the Digital Service, worked together to move Parliament online over the course of just one recess. That was an immense achievement, and I pay tribute to you and to the Digital Service for that. Does the hon. Member for Broxbourne agree that while Labour will be campaigning for the change that Britain so desperately needs, the Digital Service will be working to ensure that AI, open source, cloud and all the other digital innovations are at the disposal of Members of the new Parliament to support them in their work?

[Sir Charles Walker]

PDS and the security services are working really hard to make sure that the House gets it right. There is so much opportunity presented by AI, but given the sensitive and important positions that we hold and that future colleagues will hold, we have to make sure that we get it right so that we are advantaging our constituents, not our enemies.

Draft Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (Security Requirements for Relevant Connectable Products) (Amendment) Regulations 2024

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Tuesday 21st May 2024 General Committees

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Rees, I believe for the first time. I thank the Minister for setting out the draft regulations.

Before I start, I must declare an interest. I worked in technology for two decades before entering Parliament, the last six years of which I spent with Ofcom as head of telecommunications technology, which included internet security. I am proud to have been the first Member of Parliament to mention the internet of things—connected devices—in this place, in 2011 during a Westminster Hall debate I secured on machine-to-machine communications, partially as a consequence of my experience in the tech and regulatory sectors.

Over the years I have regularly called for better security for consumers with regard to this important enabling technology. Indeed, the exponential growth that I predicted in the number of connected devices in our homes, on our wrists and on our roads has taken place, and with it the need for robust protections has grown. We on the Opposition Benches are glad that the Government finally took action in 2022 and are building on that with these latest draft regulations, which will take the next steps towards a bespoke cyber-security regime for vehicles. Automated vehicles have the potential to create a market worth £42 billion by 2035, create 38,000 new jobs, and improve road safety and connectivity for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. It is right that this highly exciting sector is supported to grow with targeted pro-innovation and pro-consumer regulation.

Members will be glad to hear that I do not intend to detain the Committee long, but I want to address some of the fundamental concerns with the legislation. Above all else, safety is paramount. During the passage of both the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2022 and the Automated Vehicles Act 2024, which received Royal Assent this week, Labour was crystal clear that the first duty of any Government is to keep their citizens safe. Our cyber-security is a No. 1 priority, and Labour would never play fast and loose with it.

As such, we welcomed the security aspects of the PSTI Act, as well as Government concessions to put the highest standards of safety on the face of the Automated Vehicles Act. The Government’s “Connected and automated vehicles: process for assuring safety and security”, or CAVPASS, with which I am sure the Minister is familiar, is intended to provide Government assurance of the safety and cyber-security of self-driving vehicles by 2025—that is, at the end of this year. Is the Minister confident that the Government are on track to achieve that goal? What assurances can she give the public in the meantime—in the next six months or so, until CAVPASS bears fruit, if that is when it will bear fruit—that automotive products with connected capabilities are being sold secure?

Are the Government taking steps to address the national security implications of connected vehicles, which is an increasing concern for the public? In the debate on the 2023 regulations last September, I highlighted how cellular internet-of-things modules, or CIMs, power much of the consumer connected device landscape by enabling internet access. China is attempting to corner the global market in CIMs, which could have immense national security implications, since, for example, when they are embedded in cars, they transmit location, route and even passenger video. With Chinese firms such as BYD and Geely becoming major players in automotive manufacturing, is the Minister assured that the regulatory regime is strong and flexible enough to protect the British public as the technology adapts and evolves?

Lastly, I want to raise the need for ongoing dialogue in this space. It is right that the Government have communicated to businesses years in advance their intention for automotive vehicles to be exempted from the PSTI regime. I also appreciate the extensive work by organisations such as the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles and the Law Commission in preparing for the Automated Vehicles Act.

The explanatory memorandum to the draft regulations leaves open a few options for the Government to regulate further, such as mandating UN regulation No. 155 on cyber-security, as the European Union has already done for some vehicles from July 2022. Given that we export 600,000 cars a year, have the Government considered alignment with international partners on cyber-security—the Minister seemed to suggest that she had—through the UN and other fora, and the implications for trade and exports? Can the Minister explain what the Government are doing to keep businesses abreast of their plans? It is vital that businesses, particularly in our incredibly important automotive industry, which is undergoing so many changes, can plan ahead for the next generation of cars.

On that subject, it was disappointing that the Government did not accept any of Labour’s amendments during Committee stage of the Automated Vehicles Bill, which would, in particular, have established an advisory council to aid the Act’s implementation and strengthened the accessibility of automated vehicles for disabled people. Will the Minister commit to consult regularly with business and trade unions during the roll-out of the connected and automated vehicles security regime, and to embed accessibility in all the safety regulations from day one?

Innovation in road transport will create huge opportunities for our economy and society, and we must embrace them. But we must make sure that security and safety are built into these technologies from the outset. Labour and the British people will accept nothing less. I thank the Minister in advance for her answers to my questions.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Thursday 18th April 2024 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

1. What steps her Department has taken to reduce barriers to physical activity in lower-income families.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lucy Frazer)]

Getting people active is absolutely vital, particularly those who are not active at the moment, which will include those from low-income families. That is why we have a sport strategy to get 3.5 million people more active. It is why we are investing around £400 million in grassroots sports facilities up and down the country, including £4 million in Newcastle upon Tyne Central. We are ensuring that that money is targeted particularly on the most deprived neighbourhoods.

[Chi Onwurah]

I hope the Secretary of State will join me in congratulating Newcastle United women on their promotion to the championship. This season, they have helped inspire more than 300 young girls to take part in Newcastle United Foundation’s Premier League Kicks sessions, but with a third of young people in Newcastle inactive and our childhood obesity rates the highest in the region and among the highest in the country, we cannot leave it all to the foundation. How frequently does the Secretary of State meet the Department for Education to ensure that disadvantaged young people have access to sporting opportunities in schools? Specifically, what comparison has she made between sporting facilities in the state and private school sectors?

[Lucy Frazer]

This is a really important area, and I congratulate the Newcastle United women on their success and, indeed, all women taking part in sport. That is why, through the future Lionesses fund, we have invested £30 million for 30 pitches across the country to make sure that women get more activity and more opportunities to take part in sport. The specific question was about engagement with the Department for Education, which I have regularly. In fact, it sits on the taskforce I was talking about to get more people active, as do other Departments. We all need to work together to make sure we get more sport in school, more people active and equal opportunities for young girls in schools across the country.

--- Later in debate ---

[Madam Deputy Speaker (Dame Eleanor Laing)]

Order. If we have very brief questions and answers, I will try to get everybody in. I call Chi Onwurah.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

The “Space Investigators” exhibition at the Great North Museum celebrates the amazing history of the north-east in designing and manufacturing telescopes. What support does the Minister offer so that regions such as ours can better understand and promote our great industrial heritage?

[Lucy Frazer]

I am pleased that work has been going on in the hon. Lady’s constituency on these important matters. Of course, through Arts Council funding and through Department for Culture, Media and Sport funding, we support institutions across the country that support the history of, and what is going on in, their local communities, as well as arts across the country.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Thursday 22nd February 2024 Commons Chamber

The hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, was asked—

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

8. If the Commission will take steps to increase the use of digital tools in parliamentary services to support the productivity of Members.

[Sir Charles Walker (Broxbourne)]

The Parliamentary Digital Service supports the Commission by delivering technology for Members, and tools are under constant development. A range of productivity tools are already available to Members and their staff from Microsoft via the Parliamentary Digital Service. They include Microsoft Forms, which helps with tasks such as collating constituents’ information. Microsoft Planner can track workstreams in an MP’s office and is used by some offices to induct new staff. “Bookings with me” can arrange one-to-one time with external guests, such constituents.

PDS independently investigates and works with Parliament’s suppliers to explore new technologies that could benefit MPs in their work. The team welcomes volunteers from the Member community to pilot such services ahead of full roll-out. As the Chair of the Administration Committee, I would be happy to arrange for the hon. Lady to meet any relevant officials.

[Chi Onwurah]

Like most Members, I receive hundreds of invitations every week, and much more spam. It takes a member of my team hours—sometimes days—to go through them all. That is time that could be much better spent supporting constituents, particularly in a cost of living crisis. There are digital tools that can help with that; none that the hon. Gentleman mentioned will do so. Microsoft recently demoed its Copilot tool, which uses artificial intelligence. Other tools are available. While there may be issues of privacy, security and bias with such tools, as with much AI, can he confirm that the Commission is looking specifically at AI tools to help us in our work for our constituents?

[Sir Charles Walker]

I can. The hon. Lady is absolutely right: there are security issues that need to be looked at closely, but I have an answer, specially prepared. Copilot is Microsoft’s version of ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence service. Now, this is the relevant bit: PDS has arranged a series of internal workshops with Parliament’s Microsoft partner to allow PDS staff to explore how this technology could be used in the parliamentary network. The outcomes of those workshops will feed into Parliament’s overall AI strategy—I am nearly there, Mr Speaker. I speak as the proud owner of a Nokia. The recent and rapid development in artificial intelligence, especially generative AI, presents exciting opportunities.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Thursday 11th January 2024 Commons Chamber

[Julia Lopez]

My constituency shares deep ties with my hon. Friend’s, as RAF Hornchurch is in my constituency. Some RAF fighters based there joined in the battle of Britain, protecting London and our nation at a time of deep terror. We have a fantastic local museum at RAF Hornchurch, if I may just give it a plug, that is run by volunteers and is an absolute treasure trove; I recommend it. I understand that my hon. Friend has met with the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, who is responsible for arts and heritage, but I understand that we will also have an opportunity to debate the subject in greater detail next week, and I look forward to that.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

Hadrian’s Wall runs through the heart of Newcastle’s west end, but it is little celebrated or signposted, and the Hadrian’s Wall national trail does not actually follow the wall’s path through my constituency. What help can the Minister offer to local communities keen to celebrate this history, which is literally in their backyard?

[Julia Lopez]

I was not aware of this outrageous oversight on paths and signage, so I will raise it with Lord Parkinson at the next opportunity.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Thursday 16th November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Stuart Andrew]

Well, Eurovision of course. I always make sure that I take the opportunity to meet fans and see the experience that they are having at these events, so that we learn from them and ensure that we are addressing any issues that come up. That is why we will be working with all operational partners to ensure that every match is a good one for people to enjoy.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

St James’ Park in the heart of Newcastle will be welcoming European football fans as part of Euro 2028, and we are very proud of that. Following the 2012 Olympics, sports participation did not increase. Will the Minister set out what the Government will do to ensure that the legacy of Euro 2028 is increased participation across Newcastle?

[Stuart Andrew]

The hon. Lady raises an important point. Legacy is incredibly important to me. That is why we have been giving hundreds of millions of pounds to improve on and build new grassroots sports facilities, so that there are plenty of opportunities for people to enjoy the things they want to do that are inspired by tournaments just like Euro 2028.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Thursday 15th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

We want Radio Lancashire for Lancashire —that is the answer, Minister.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

6. Whether her Department is taking steps to support the sustainability of local (a) swimming pools, (b) leisure centres and (c) sports grounds.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stuart Andrew)]

Local authorities are responsible for providing access to public leisure centres and sports grounds, but the Government continue to encourage them to invest in those really important community spaces. That is why we are delivering £60 million through the swimming pool support fund to address the cost pressures facing many public swimming pools and to invest in energy efficiency measures to reduce their future operating costs.

[Chi Onwurah]

Elswick swimming pool is a wonderful enabler of physical and mental health, serving communities who have some of the highest levels of deprivation and health inequalities in the country. It could do more if social prescribing were enabled, but instead, it faces an absolute crisis because of rising energy costs and the cost of living crisis hitting income. The Minister says that money is available, but it has received none. Can he tell me what he is doing to ensure that Elswick swimming pool survives and thrives?

[Stuart Andrew]

The hon. Lady is absolutely right to highlight the importance of the work of many swimming pools and leisure centres up and down the country. It is precisely because of the messages I heard from them that we were successful in getting that £60 million in the Budget. £20 million of that will help with initial costs, and the other £40 million will help to make those swimming pools and leisure centres more resilient in the future. The criteria will be released very shortly so that the hon. Lady’s particular pool can apply for that money at that time.

--- Later in debate ---

The hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the House of Commons Commission, was asked—

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

8. What steps the Commission is taking to help facilitate the work of Members through technology.

[Sir Charles Walker (Broxbourne)]

The Commission, through the Parliamentary Digital Service, constantly assesses and reviews new and emerging technologies that could be of use to Members. There are issues related to licensing, deployment and security that must always be considered.

[Chi Onwurah]

The single greatest increase in my productivity as a Member of Parliament is probably due to the introduction of the Android tablet that I am holding. It enables me to share messages and casework instantly with my office, and I thank the Parliamentary Digital Service for providing it.

Far from replacing us, technology can help us. Artificial intelligence could, for example, identify requests from constituents in an inbox flooded with PR emails, or automatically monitor the length of time the Home Office takes to respond to us so that I can raise it with you, Mr Speaker. Will the hon. Gentleman work with service providers such as Microsoft and Mimecast, and open-source providers, to ensure that we are always benefiting from the progress in technology?

[Sir Charles Walker]

The House is very much open to the idea of artificial intelligence. I have prepared a long written answer for the hon. Lady, which I shall send her and a copy of which I shall place in the Library. I ask her please to be assured that we are looking at artificial intelligence, but there are real security issues in this place: there are a lot of really bad people out there who want to access the information that we hold about each other but also about our constituents, so these things can take a little time.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Thursday 20th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Damian Collins]

Absolutely. I agree with my right hon. Friend: it is really important that big tech platforms are transparent and accountable to their users in their terms of service for how they trade. That is important in the principle of how the Online Safety Bill works, both in protecting freedom of speech and in ensuring that companies enforce their platform policies correctly. In terms of digital markets, it is also important that customers know what fair access they have to markets and that they will be treated fairly by platforms, and that the platforms make clear what their terms of service are.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

8. Whether she is taking steps to give people in the UK more control over their data.

[The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (Michelle Donelan)]

We will create a new bespoke British data protection system that will give people around the world world-class data rights and control over their data, and greater ability to benefit from its responsible use, as well as maintaining data advocacy. For example, our Bill will create a better complaints system and provide the framework for the delivery of smart data schemes that will empower individual consumers and business customers to access and share their data simply and securely with trusted third parties, enabling innovative services.

[Chi Onwurah]

On 1 October, the Government announced that they would be collecting, processing and storing all British smart meter data. This is despite assurances given over many years that that data was under the control of households and that only they could decide who accessed it, and that, without express permission, it would be used only for billing purposes. Indeed, in 2016, the then Home Secretary told me that smart meter data is protected and not under the Government’s control. Will the Secretary of State set out to me how households in this country can control their smart meter data in the face of this chaotic and dysfunctional Government?

[Michelle Donelan]

I am more than happy to meet the hon. Member and discuss this further and also take this away to discuss with hon. and right hon. Members across Government.

Oral Answers to Questions

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Thursday 7th July 2022 Commons Chamber

[Ms Dorries]

Hundreds of premises in rural areas across my hon. Friend’s constituency, which I know well, have received gigabit-capable connections through the voucher scheme, but, as she says, there are some fragilities to that. We will be bringing forward our Project Gigabit procurement for suppliers to provide coverage to premises that are not covered by the commercial providers, or where vouchers are not the most effective approach. Alongside this, we have introduced voucher priority areas, but in some instances suppliers are able to deliver faster thanks to their participation in the voucher scheme. I reiterate what I said in response to a previous answer: we were never going to reach 100% overnight, but to have gone from 6% to 69% across the UK in three years is pretty remarkable, and that progress continues at pace.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

The Prime Minister—sorry, the Secretary of State—[Laughter.] With the level of change at the moment, it is hard to keep track. The Secretary of State refers, I presume, to the current Prime Minister’s commitment that no one be left behind, but she knows well that under successive Conservative Governments, the absence of a digital inclusion strategy means that the digital divide has broadened, whether it be between rural and urban, between those who have digital skills and those who do not, or between those who can afford broadband and those who cannot. The last digital inclusion strategy was in 2014. When will a new one appear?

[Ms Dorries]

The progress with which we have commenced the roll-out of gigabit broadband across the UK has been exemplary. Just last week, I held a roundtable with telecommunications providers to urge them to look at social tariffs and to offer lower rates to those who are left behind and cannot afford the rates that others can. Work never stops in this area. We are very aware of those who cannot access broadband and cannot have digital access—

--- Later in debate ---

[The Attorney General]

I do not think it is the right of a UK Government Minister to comment on a judicial decision in another jurisdiction such as the United States. That is a matter for the United States Supreme Court and the United States Congress to resolve. What I am focused on is the experience of victims in Britain and Wales and how we can improve our criminal justice system. That is why I am very proud of the achievements that we have secured. I am very proud that, for example, the CPS prosecuted 430,000 defendants last year on a whole suite of offences, including 69 alleged terrorists, 33 of whom were convicted, and 19,000 serious violence offences, with a conviction rate of almost 75%. Those are the statistics, the facts and the policies on which I am focused.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

Is the Attorney-General proud of her achievements when the delay between offence and completion in rape cases is now more than 1,000 days and there are 50 UK Crown courts with delays of more than three years and 18 with delays of more than four years? Does she agree with the Victims Commissioner that these delays are appalling? Could she take time out from her leadership campaign to look at bringing in pre-recorded evidence and cross-examination in all rape cases in all Crown courts now?

[The Attorney General]

Actually, what we are seeing as a result of pioneering operations such as Soteria is a closer collaboration between police and prosecutor. What we know works is when a prosecutor has a good, clear case strategy, has a grip of the case and has properly identified the challenges, and when the police are supportive and involved in the investigation. Close collaboration, early investigative advice and support for the victim is what will cut down the timelines and ensure that victims get justice in a swifter way. That is why I am very proud of the section 28 roll-out.

Football Governance

Chi Onwurah Excerpts

Monday 25th April 2022 Commons Chamber

[Nigel Huddleston]

My right hon. Friend makes some pertinent and wise points, including his first point. He is absolutely right that football is a British success story, and the premier league in particular is something we should all be proud of. It is incredibly successful around the world and brings in a lot of money for the UK economy. Establishing greater stability and sustainability across the whole of the football pyramid is good for football overall, including the premier league. The premier league does distribute money, and we are grateful for that, but we would like to see it do a little bit more.

[Chi Onwurah (Newcastle upon Tyne Central) (Lab)]

I have repeatedly raised with the Minister the impact on Newcastle United fans of the Premier League’s arrogance and lack of accountability, so I welcome his recognition of the need for reform. Will he confirm whether this further delay is at the behest of the Premier League? Does he agree that it is unacceptable for the Premier League to stand in the way of football fans, and that it is particularly distasteful given its policy director’s recent fine for partying while football fans, and indeed the rest of the country, were in lockdown?

[Nigel Huddleston]

I am afraid the hon. Lady is misinterpreting what I have outlined today. We are pursuing a process, and we have not announced delays; we have announced a route forward. A White Paper is a perfectly reasonable step that we have to take because these are complex issues. We will move forward on all these important areas.