Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to help insure that training and education (a) monitors and (b) adjusts to developments in (a) artificial intelligence and (b) the needs of the green economy.
Answered by Robert Halfon
The department wants to capitalise on the opportunities technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents for education, as well as addressing its risks and challenges. The department's position on the use of generative AI in education was published on 28 March 2023. The department will keep its programme of measures under review and continue to establish a strong evidence base for technology in education. The Department launched a call for evidence on generative AI in order to gather experiences and expertise from across education, support continued evidence generation and spread best practice.
The department wants to ensure everyone has the essential digital skills they need to engage with modern technology such as AI. A digital entitlement has been introduced to fully fund adults to study towards an Essential Digital Skills Qualification , up to level 1, and from September 2023, Digital Functional Skills Qualifications. Digital skills are also delivered through :T Levels with three Digital pathways, the Level 3 Free Courses for Jobs offer with a range of qualifications on offer, Skills Bootcamps with free, flexible courses in job specific skills including digital professions, and a number of apprenticeships in digital.
The government has also funded a broad package of AI skills and talent initiatives throughout education. These initiatives will address the skills gap, support citizens and businesses to take advantage of AI technologies and drive economic growth.
For higher education institutions, at Level 7 and above, £190 million investment includes pioneering one of the first programmes of its kind to boost the market for AI Masters courses through the Industrial Funded Masters in AI programme, investing £117 million to create PhDs through UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training in AI, £46 million to develop the Turing AI Fellowships, and up to £30 million in the AI and Data Science Conversion Course and Scholarships programme.
Developing the department’s green skills offer is crucial to ensuring the UK can meet its statutory Net Zero Strategy and Environment Act targets. The department is helping to create a sustainable future through education, developing skills needed for a green economy, and supporting sectors to reach net zero. The needs of the green economy are being monitored through our Unit for Future Skills (UFS) and the Green Jobs Delivery Group (GJDG).
The UFS was set up to improve the quality of jobs and skills data to better understand current skills mismatches and future demand. The GJDG is the central forum for driving forward action on green jobs and skills across government and industry. In the Government’s 2023 Powering Up Britain: Net Zero Growth Plan, the GJDG committed to publishing an action plan in 2024. This will include sectoral assessments that will support the department to identify opportunities to flex the skills system.
The Strategy for Sustainability and Climate Change in the Education System, published by the department in April 2022, sets out detail on how the system will help create a sustainable future through education and develop the skills needed for a green economy. The strategy sets out initiatives including extra support for teaching about nature and climate change, the introduction of a Natural History GCSE, a National Education Nature Park, Climate Action Award and support for head teachers to take a whole setting approach to climate change. The National Education Nature Park and Climate Action Award will provide educational opportunities for children and young people to take part in community science, in biodiversity monitoring, mapping and data analysis learning important skills for the future.
Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the potential revenue generated by by extending the Soft Drinks Industry Levy to include (a) milk-based drinks and (b) fruit juice; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Gareth Davies - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The exemption for milk-based and certain milk substitute drinks will next be considered after the Office for Health Inequalities and Disparities completes its voluntary sugar reduction reporting programme, expected later in 2023.
The primary aim of the SDIL is to encourage producers to remove added sugar from soft drinks. There are no current plans to review the exclusion of fruit juices packaged and sold without added sugars.
Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether he has had recent discussions with OCR on progress towards introducing a Natural History GCSE; and whether she plans to launch a consultation for the specification for the qualification.
Answered by Nick Gibb
Last year, the Department announced the introduction of a new natural history GCSE. The Department is committed to developing the GCSE as quickly as possible, provided that it meets the rigorous requirements that apply to all GCSEs. The Department is working closely with the Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations (OCR), other exam boards and independent experts to develop draft subject content for the GCSE.
The Department aims to consult publicly on the draft subject content later this year. Any amendments to subject content will then be made considering responses to the public consultation before the subject content is finalised.
Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the National Food Strategy, published in July 2021, whether she is taking steps with Cabinet colleagues to implement (a) the first recommendation on introducing a sugar and salt reformulation tax and (b) other recommendations from that report.
Answered by Mark Spencer - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government does not consider that now is the right time to introduce new taxes that will push up the cost of food.
The affordability of food, and individuals’ access to food, is a key element of the Government’s approach to tackling poverty as we manage the impact of cost-of-living pressures.
In 2022 the Government published its Food Strategy, which considered and responded to Henry Dimbleby’s independent review.
Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure energy companies allow business customers who agreed energy contracts in 2022 to renegotiate those contracts to reflect the lower wholesale prices now available.
Answered by Amanda Solloway - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury
The Government has implemented the Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) to take effect until April 2024. Businesses fixed into more costly long-term contracts are more likely to receive EBDS support due to how the baseline discount is calculated. Contract negotiations are ultimately a matter for suppliers and their customers, but the Government continues to work with Ofgem and energy suppliers to ensure they are doing all they can to support their customers.
Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will offer targeted support to businesses which agreed energy contracts in 2022 when wholesale energy prices were high and which are now having difficulty in meeting their operating costs.
Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
The Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) will provide all eligible businesses and other non-domestic energy users with a discount on high energy bills for 12 months from 1 April 2023 until 31 March 2024. It will also provide businesses in sectors with particularly high levels of energy use and trade intensity with a higher level of support.
EBDS will help those locked into contracts signed before recent substantial falls in the wholesale price manage their costs and provide others with reassurance against the risk of prices rising again.
The Government is aware that some businesses are having difficulties securing the benefit of falling wholesale prices from their energy suppliers. The Government welcomes Ofgem’s recent update on their investigation into the non-domestic retail market. We encourage them to complete their review at pace and welcome their commitment to take swift compliance and enforcement action against any supplier who has breached market rules.
Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of running trials on the use of cashless payments for the land-based gambling sector.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is reviewing the Gambling Act 2005 to make sure it is fit for the digital age. Secondary legislation (The Gaming Machine (Circumstances of Use) Regulations 2007) currently prohibits the direct use of debit cards for payment on gaming machines. However, cashless payments via digital apps, ticket in ticket out systems and debit card payments at cash desks are currently permitted in the land-based gambling sector. It is also possible to pay for chips at a casino gaming table by turning away from the table and completing a debit card transaction with a staff member.
We are considering issues around payment methods as part of our wide-ranging Review and will publish a White Paper setting out our conclusions and next steps in due course.
Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of consulting people under the age of 18 on its science and technology policies.
Answered by George Freeman
The Government is committed to ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of research and innovation. This means we need to inspire young people who are our future decision-makers and researchers and show that research is something to which they can contribute and benefit from throughout their lives.
The Government supports this through programmes like UKRI’s £35m ‘Adolescence, mental health and the developing mind’ which includes a youth advisory group.
The Government also supports ‘Future Forums’, managed by the British Science Association, which seeks young people’s views on science policy and the role of science in solving the issues of tomorrow.
Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he plans to take at the meeting of international justice ministers on 20 March to help ensure (a) under 18-year-olds, where safe and appropriate, and (b) other survivors are represented in discussions about the process for prosecuting war crimes in Ukraine.
Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
On 20 March, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Justice, co-hosted a Justice Ministers’ Conference with the Netherlands bringing together 42 countries and institutions from across the globe. Support for victims and witnesses of war crimes in Ukraine, including children, was a core theme of the Conference. Additional practical support for the International Criminal Court was collectively agreed, alongside financial contributions totaling over £4 million. The UK announced £395,000 for the Office of the Prosecutor Trust Fund which will be earmarked for support for victims and witnesses. The Ministry of Justice is exploring further the provision of expertise, advice and training including specialist support for children.
Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what steps he plans to take at the meeting of international justice ministers on 20 March to help ensure that the financial support committed by States for the International Criminal Court investigation includes dedicated funding to embed child-specific expertise throughout the process.
Answered by Mike Freer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Justice)
On 20 March, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Justice, co-hosted a Justice Ministers’ Conference with the Netherlands bringing together 42 countries and institutions from across the globe. Support for victims and witnesses of war crimes in Ukraine, including children, was a core theme of the Conference. Additional practical support for the International Criminal Court was collectively agreed, alongside financial contributions totaling over £4 million. The UK announced £395,000 for the Office of the Prosecutor Trust Fund which will be earmarked for support for victims and witnesses. The Ministry of Justice is exploring further the provision of expertise, advice and training including specialist support for children.