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Written Question
Arts: Artificial Intelligence
Thursday 20th July 2023

Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with representatives of creative industries on the impact of AI on that sector.

Answered by John Whittingdale

The Government recognises the opportunities presented by AI to enable growth in a range of sectors, including our creative industries. As set out in the recent AI white paper, our goal is to ensure that the UK becomes an AI superpower. However, it is important that while we harness the benefits of AI, we also manage the risks. This includes particular risks to creative sectors and copyright holders.

The Department has held a number of meetings with the sector on this issue, including with members of the Creative Industries Council earlier this week, and with music, press and publishing stakeholders over recent weeks. The Secretary of State also met with the Minister for AI and Intellectual Property this week, together with the Intellectual Property Office.

The Secretary of State intends to convene roundtable discussions in September with media stakeholders to discuss the particular impact of AI on journalism.


Written Question
Electronic Government: Proof of Identity
Monday 3rd February 2020

Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)

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

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish the (a) terms of reference, (b) membership and (c) minutes of the meetings of the Digital Identity Unit.

Answered by Matt Warman

The Digital Identity Unit is a collaboration between DCMS and Cabinet Office. Further information on the work of the Unit will be published in the government’s response to the Digital Identity Call for Evidence in Spring 2020. Any additional information will be released in line with DCMS and Cabinet Office publication schemes.


Written Question
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Databases
Monday 3rd February 2020

Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)

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

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what the timeframe is to enable access to the DVLA database of licences to private sector identity organisations that are not part of the Gov.verify project.

Answered by Matt Warman

The Digital Identity call for evidence, published in July 2019, sought views on how the government can support the development and secure use of digital identities across the public and private sector. A government response and next steps will be published in Spring 2020.


Written Question
Charities: Pay
Tuesday 22nd October 2019

Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of remuneration for chief executives in the charity sector in the last five years.

Answered by Baroness Morgan of Cotes

Setting executive pay is a matter for a charity’s trustees to determine, acting in the best interests of their charity. In doing so the charity trustees need to consider a number of factors, including securing value for money for the charity, and the impact of their decisions on public trust. The Charity Commission for England and Wales requires charities to include information on the number of staff receiving remuneration in excess of £60,000, in their Annual Return. This information will be published in income bands on the charity register. The Charity Commission also requires charities to include information on the remuneration of their highest paid staff member. It will use this data to make a study of pay in charities and will publish its findings, once that work is complete.


Written Question
Charities: Pay
Tuesday 22nd October 2019

Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of remuneration for chief executives in the charity sector in the last five years.

Answered by Baroness Morgan of Cotes

Setting executive pay is a matter for a charity’s trustees to determine, acting in the best interests of their charity. In doing so the charity trustees need to consider a number of factors, including securing value for money for the charity, and the impact of their decisions on public trust. The Charity Commission for England and Wales requires charities to include information on the number of staff receiving remuneration in excess of £60,000, in their Annual Return. This information will be published in income bands on the charity register. The Charity Commission also requires charities to include information on the remuneration of their highest paid staff member. It will use this data to make a study of pay in charities and will publish its findings, once that work is complete.


Written Question
Charities: Pay
Tuesday 8th October 2019

Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of remuneration for chief executives in the charity sector in the last five years.

Answered by Baroness Morgan of Cotes

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.


Written Question
Youth Organisations
Friday 24th May 2019

Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)

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

What recent assessment his Department has made of the value of youth organisations to local areas.

Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister (Women)

The Government recognises the transformational impact that youth services can have, especially for young people facing multiple barriers or disadvantage.

We are working across Government and with young people to develop a new Youth Charter setting out Government’s clear vision and offer for young people.


Written Question
Proof of Identity: Digital Technology
Wednesday 27th March 2019

Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that digital ID has carries the same age proofing weight as a passport or other physical ID document.

Answered by Margot James

The evidential requirements to authenticate identity attributes vary depending on the nature of the goods or services being sought. Usually relying parties determine the necessary level of authentication they require, though this is sometimes prescribed in regulation. There are no current legislative proposals on this matter but regulation is kept under review.


Written Question
Internet: Proof of Identity
Friday 22nd March 2019

Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans his Department has to develop a strong market for age and identity verification products to (a) protect young people against internet harms and (b) to reduce online fraud.

Answered by Margot James

The government is supporting the development of a standards based digital identity market in the UK. The Minister for Implementation made a written statement on the future of Gov.uk Verify programme on 9 October 2018 setting out next steps. Discussions continue within government and with industry as we develop our proposals, which we will set out further in due course.


Written Question
Artificial Intelligence
Thursday 13th December 2018

Asked by: Eddie Hughes (Conservative - Walsall North)

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

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the UK remains a world leader in the field of artificial intelligence.

Answered by Margot James

The UK is a world leader in AI and this government is committed to retaining this position.

Our AI and Data Grand Challenge is a major collaboration with industry and academia to this end. It includes up to £0.95bn Sector Deal package with industry that will strengthen the UK’s position as a global AI leader.

We are establishing an AI Council, an expert committee, to provide high-level leadership on implementing the AI Sector Deal.

We are also working with partners including the Turing Institute and UKRI to encourage retention and attract new, diverse talent from abroad.