Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to ensure that the AI Opportunities Action Plan (a) creates high-quality jobs and (b) enhances public services in (i) Vale of Glamorgan constituency and (ii) other rural areas.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Action Plan sets out how we will achieve our AI ambitions by laying the foundations for AI growth, driving adoption and encouraging country wide growth.

The opportunities of AI are for the whole of the UK. We will partner with devolved administrations, regional and local authorities on AI Growth Zones (AIGZs).

On Skills, the Plan sets out the essential role that equipping our workforce with the right skills will play in supporting the growth of the UK’s AI sector.

Regarding public sector adoption, the Plan outlines how AI will improve public services and drive growth across the economy.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of trends in the level of net migration; and what steps she is taking to reduce these.

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

Under the previous government, between 2019 and 2023, net migration more than quadrupled, driven by a big increase in overseas recruitment.

This Government has set out a new approach to end the over reliance on international recruitment and boost economic growth by linking the UK’s immigration, labour market, and skills systems and by training up our domestic workforce.

We have also commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee to review key sectors, and our long-term plan will see departments working together across government, partnering with agencies and experts, to build our skills base and reduce our reliance on migration.

Building on the Prime Minister’s speech on migration on 28 November 2024 - the Government will publish a White Paper later this year setting out measures to reduce net migration and link the points-based system with requirements for training in the UK.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to ensure there is adequate competition in the veterinary care sector.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) are currently conducting full market investigation into the supply of veterinary services for household pets in the UK. Defra appreciates any recommendations that support the services that consumers of veterinary services receive, whilst retaining a strong and healthy veterinary profession within the UK.

The CMA operates as an independent, non-ministerial department, which is separate from Defra. As such, Defra is not able to provide comment on any investigations currently being conducted but will consider the recommendations once the investigation is complete.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will release £2.3 billion in reserves from the British Coal Staff Superannuation Scheme to former scheme members; and what his planned timeline is for reducing the financial disparity between that scheme and the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government is receptive to representations regarding the BCSSS. I recently met with the Trustees of the Scheme to discuss their proposals, and will be discussing the matter with the Treasury in due course.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions she has had with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) the devolved Administrations on the potential for expanding the Stay Aware, Stay Safe, Stay Together campaign to schools and colleges across the UK; and what steps her Department is taking to promote the inclusion of similar safety awareness initiatives within the curriculum for 16-19 year olds.

Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The department is currently reviewing the relationships, sex and health education (RSHE) statutory guidance for schools and will look carefully at responses to the public consultation conducted last year, consider the relevant evidence and discuss with stakeholders before setting out next steps to make sure the guidance draws from the best available evidence. As part of this process, we will explore whether additional content is required, including on personal safety and safety awareness.

Sixth-form colleges and further education colleges are autonomous, and as such are responsible for determining the content of teaching provision, including whether to teach young people about personal safety and how to stay safe when going abroad.