Lord Pack

The Government does not collect data on the proportion of answers to written questions that are either researched or drafted using artificial intelligence tools. There is no specific cross - Government policy guidance relating to questions, but the Government Digital Service has published the “Artificial Intelligence Playbook for the UK Government” document which sets out principles for the use of a wider range of artificial intelligence technologies safely, effectively and responsibly.

The Lords communications team uses a range of social media channels to reach audiences and ensure they have access to accurate and impartial information about the role and work of the House. By using multiple channels, it aims to reach a broad range of audiences online with content that is most likely to engage them.

Posts on X cover the daily business of the House and work in committees. The team continually evaluates the effectiveness and risks of using each platform and adjusts its approach accordingly. It does not prioritise any single channel over others.

Whilst the Law Officers sit on the Parliamentary Business and Legislation Committee, the Attorney General’s Office does not, itself, have legislation that falls within its areas of policy responsibility. Questions as to the commencement of legislation should be directed to the Government departments with policy responsibility.

The Office of the Advocate General, along with supporting the Advocate General as a Law Officer, is the Scottish legal team for other UK Government departments.  Decisions about the implementation of uncommenced legislation are made by the UK Government department with responsibility for the legislation in question

The Terms of Reference for the Independent Review of Non-Corporate Communications Channels were published in full on 2 June on the Government website and are reproduced here for the benefit of their Lordships’ House:

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW INTO THE USE OF NON-CORPORATE COMMUNICATION CHANNELS IN THE UK GOVERNMENT

Purpose of Review

1. To examine the use of ‘non-corporate communications channels’ (NCCCs) within the UK government.

2. To consider the behavioural, organisational, legal, and technological factors affecting the use of NCCCs.

3. To make practical recommendations concerning NCCC use with the aim of improving the quality, security, propriety, effectiveness, and efficiency of government decision-making and record-keeping.

Background

The current lack of clarity on the use of NCCCs within Government raises concerns about information security practices, transparency and record keeping. These concerns engage with the Government’s legal obligations and standards of conduct.

Scope & Definition

The communication behaviours and practices of all UK Ministers, Special Advisers and Civil Servants concerning Government business are within scope, as are the related behavioural, organisational, legal, and technological factors. Where appropriate, this will include communications with wider public sector officials, although the communications of local government and other public sector bodies are generally out of scope. The review will provide a formal definition of NCCCs. However, for the purposes of these Terms of Reference, NCCCs are defined as any means of communication (generally, but not exclusively, textual) not provided for by HMG, and that might be personally owned, externally hosted or managed.

● The review is to gather and consider evidence of actual NCCC practice, including but not restricted to:

○ patterns of use, misuse and abuse, at all levels

○ communications with external partners (domestic and international)

○ crisis communications

○ record creation, retention, deletion and disclosure, including the use of auto-deletion features

○ assessment of the quality and provision of guidance and training

○ threats posed to the security and integrity of Government communications, including interception or device compromise by hostile actors and risks arising from the jurisdiction in which platform data is held

● The review should consider the following in making its recommendations:

○ how to reduce the risk of data loss and data leaks through the use of NCCCs

○ the incentives and disincentives to good behaviour (e.g: discipline, Codes of Conduct, etc.)

○ the communications channels that are available on official systems and the impact on the use of NCCCs as alternatives

○ any necessary changes to the policy and accountability framework for NCCCs and information security

○ options for improving guidance and training on NCCCs and information security ○ how to preserve the legitimate operational benefits of fast, informal communication whilst managing the associated risks

○ the likely impact of recommendations on the efficiency and effectiveness of government business

○ the views of the Information Commissioner and the Keeper of Public Records.

Leadership and Governance

This is to be an independent review, conducted by a qualified senior public figure supported by a small team of serving officials. The lead reviewer will make a written report of their findings and recommendations to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the Security Minister jointly, copying the Prime Minister.

Timings

The reviewer will report in early 2027. The Government will publish the Review’s findings and present the Government’s response to Parliament in due course thereafter.

Method

This will be determined by the lead reviewer, but the review team will be expected to make use of previous reviews and studies, the technical literature, structured interviews, data analysis, observational studies, surveys in preparing their findings and recommendations. The review will also consider suitable international comparators and models of best practice drawn from other corporate settings. The review will be informed and, as appropriate, illustrated by specific examples of NCCC use.

The Commercial Playbooks require departments to publish key performance indicators (KPIs) on their most important contracts. Within the data generated through this mechanism, across the last 16 quarters, the average percentage of published KPIs with inadequate ratings on Capita contracts across all departments was 9%. 'Inadequate' is the lowest rating.

Decisions regarding subscriptions and the use of platform features are taken by individual teams within departments, and are not centrally managed.

Decisions regarding subscriptions and the use of platform features are taken by individual teams within departments, and are not centrally managed.

There is no standard email wording for Downing Street staff electronic signatures.

The Postcode Address File is a privately-owned dataset. Ofcom’s regulations require Royal Mail to provide access to the Postcode Address File on reasonable terms.

Ministers and officials have regular discussions with Ofcom in its capacity as the independent regulator of postal services. If there were matters relevant to the Postcode Address File, they would be discussed in this forum.

The Export Credits Guarantee Department, operating under the name UK Export Finance, keeps the commencement and implementation of legislation within its area of responsibility under review alongside operational readiness and delivery of wider priorities. The only uncommenced legislation for which it is responsible is the Industry and Exports (Financial Assistance) Act 2026 which received Royal Assent on 18 March 2026 and will come into force on 19 May 2026, pursuant to Section 3(2).

Every year we are in contact with Parliament and the relevant Select Committee’s to undertake required post-legislative scrutiny of relevant legislation. Any post-legislative scrutiny will include a review of the operation of the legislation, and highlight any measures not commenced and plans to commence them.

The department will, as part of its usual process, continue to periodically review legislation within its area of policy development.

The Department for Business and Trade is responsible for decisions on whether to commence the Easter Act 1928.

The Department keeps this matter under review and – as part of this – considers whether the Christian churches agree on moving Easter to a fixed date.

The Government does not currently have any plans to commence the Easter Act 1928.

The Government recognises that register accuracy must be assessed, and this needs to be through a range of measures. The following have been taken to date:

• Monitoring compliant companies - to show how up to date the register is based on filed confirmation statements.
• Verified identities – tracking the proportion of Director and Persons of Significant Control (PSC) appointments that have been verified since the start of the IDV transition year from 18 November 2025.
• Corrections/ Removals – tracking the number of companies where actions have been taken under ECCTA to correct or remove them from the register

Additional measures are in development to provide further insights.

The usual procedures within the Department were followed with S.I. 2026/368 and the correct version of the S.I. was signed by the Minister.

However, during the drafting process several versions of the S.I. were created to correct several minor formatting issues, and on examination an incorrect version of the S.I. was then laid before Parliament and published. Whilst the Lawmaker software used to draft S.I.s system may have contributed to the generation of multiple versions of the S.I., it was human error that led to the failure.

The Department has taken steps to address these issues, and has also reviewed improvements to the process to ensure that the version that is sent for registration is clearly identified and confirmed as the correct version.

Policy teams within the department are responsible for ensuring effective legislative practice within their area, including uncommenced legislation and considering when to bring forward commencement orders. Where needed, they draw on advice of legal professionals and our central legislative functions to support their delivery.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology keeps the commencement and implementation of its legislation under review alongside operational readiness and delivery of wider priorities. This work is undertaken alongside established post‑legislative scrutiny processes.

Relevant policy teams keep the commencement and implementation of Acts of Parliament under review in light of operational readiness and wider priorities.

This is conducted alongside established post legislative scrutiny processes where appropriate.

In the past year, we have committed in Parliament to undertake the required post-legislative scrutiny of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This will include considering the coming into force of measures, where not yet commenced.

The department will, as part of its usual process, continue to periodically review legislation within its area of responsibility as part of policy development.

The department is reviewing our Early Years Register fees policy. As set out in the Explanatory Memorandum to the Childcare (Fees) (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which came into force on 9 June 2025, the department has extended the existing alternative annual fee arrangements until 1 September 2027 as a temporary measure to maintain the status quo while the fees policy is being reviewed and considered as a whole.

The Department keeps the status of uncommenced legislation falling within its areas of policy responsibility under review and decisions on commencement are taken in the normal course of policy making.

As set out by the Prime Minister, we will publish our Animal Welfare Strategy this year which will set out our priorities for animal welfare.

MMO and DfT are currently progressing a draft consultation and associated documents to consult with the sector in the summer 2026. In parallel stakeholder engagement will be undertaken and work will be completed to draft the appropriate regulation with a view to implementing a new structure during 2027.

Policy teams within the department are responsible for ensuring effective delivery within their area, including the review of uncommenced legislation and considering when to bring forward commencement orders.

Where needed, they draw on the advice of government lawyers to support delivery. This is conducted alongside established post legislative scrutiny processes where appropriate.

When a vehicle is due to be taxed, the DVLA sends the registered keeper a reminder that includes information on payment options, including the amount due if the customer chooses to pay by direct debit. The DVLA’s online vehicle licensing service also includes a link to a table of vehicle excise duty rates which individuals can view before deciding on which payment option to use.

The table below shows the number of new and automatically renewed direct debit mandates for vehicle excise duty payments in 2025/26.

The DVLA keeps all services under review to ensure compliance with all relevant rules and regulations.

When a vehicle is due to be taxed, the DVLA sends the registered keeper a reminder that includes information on payment options, including the amount due if the customer chooses to pay by direct debit. The DVLA’s online vehicle licensing service also includes a link to a table of vehicle excise duty rates which individuals can view before deciding on which payment option to use.

The table below shows the number of new and automatically renewed direct debit mandates for vehicle excise duty payments in 2025/26.

The DVLA keeps all services under review to ensure compliance with all relevant rules and regulations.

UK airspace and airlines are amongst the safest in the world. The UK remains steadfast in our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety. We are confident that the powers gap issue will not impact the UK’s exemplary aviation safety record.

The Department is actively looking at solutions to close or mitigate these gaps at the earliest opportunity to maintain a functioning statute book and provide certainty to the transport sector. We will review whether existing powers on the statute book may be appropriate and look at introducing primary legislation, where needed, when Parliamentary time allows.