Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department has taken to extend sanctions to dual-use items to prevent their use in Russian attacks on Ukraine.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK has introduced extensive trade sanctions to prevent Russia acquiring dual‑use items used in its military operations. Since March 2022, we have banned the export of all dual‑use goods and other high‑risk technologies, including products identified on the battlefield and items critical to Russia’s military‑industrial complex.
Our comprehensive export sanctions have led Russia to pursue convoluted and costly routes to circumvent our measures. Alongside extensive guidance and outreach to UK exporters, we plan to bring forward secondary legislation to introduce new sanctions end-use controls. These new powers will help to tackle circumvention of UK goods sanctions via third countries. We work closely with international partners to close those circumvention routes and further restrict Russia’s access to sensitive technologies.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if she will sanction Russian judges and court officials involved in using Russian anti-terror and other domestic laws to penalise Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Independent reporting by the UN Commission of Inquiry and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Moscow Mechanism has highlighted widespread abuses of prisoners of war, including violations of their fundamental rights. The UK has been clear that prisoners of war must be treated humanely and in full accordance with the Geneva Conventions and has called on Russia to meet its obligations under international humanitarian law. As per the UK's long-standing policy, it would not be appropriate to speculate about any future sanctions action, but - having already imposed on Russia the largest and most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on a major economy, alongside our international partners - we keep the scope for further action under constant review.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he has plans to ban UK politicians accepting cryptocurrency donations.
Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
We have introduced the Representation of the People Bill which brings forward a package of reforms to deliver on our manifesto commitment to tighten the rules on political donations. It introduces a ‘Know your Donor’ scheme requiring enhanced checks on larger donations, to prevent the risk of foreign interference. It introduces tighter eligibility rules on donations from companies to ensure a genuine connection to the UK, and stricter rules and checks by unincorporated associations on the gifts they receive and donations they make.
The Rycroft Review on foreign interference in UK politics will focus on the effectiveness of the UK’s political finance laws, as well as the safeguards in place to protect our democracy from illicit money from abroad, including cryptoassets. The terms of reference for the review can be found here: Independent review: countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics: Terms of Reference - GOV.UK. Review findings will be delivered to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Security Minister by the end of March 2026.
We will take any steps necessary to ensure the integrity of our system.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her dept is taking to ensure that schools (a) remain up to date with AI technology as it develops and (b) remain equipped to offer support for their pupils.
Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The department is committed to ensuring that schools can benefit and use artificial intelligence (AI) safely and effectively. We are supporting staff to stay up to date with developments through clear guidance, as well as online support materials to help staff use AI confidently, safely and responsibly. Developed with sector experts, these materials set out what all staff should know about using AI safely with potential use cases and an additional toolkit for leaders to help address the risks and opportunities of AI across their whole setting.
The department has accepted all the relevant recommendations of the independent Curriculum and Assessment Review, and will refresh the computing curriculum to build digital confidence from an early age, and to include essential content on AI. Work is now underway to develop the new curriculum, and the department will conduct a public consultation on the draft programmes of study in summer 2026.
The department is investing in the infrastructure and evidence schools need to adopt technology well and make informed choices. This includes setting digital and technology standards and programmes such as the EdTech Testbed Programme and EdTech Evidence Board.
In late January, the department, in partnership with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology also announced plans to work with industry on the development of AI tutoring tools. Central to these plans is that any generative AI tutoring tools are co-created with teachers, are aligned to the curriculum and meet safety standards. As this work progresses, all tools developed will be rigorously tested and evaluated for safety, quality and effectiveness before they are made available for use in schools, ensuring they genuinely support learning and protect pupils.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what plans her Department is planning to take to ensure that social media sites adhere to their 13+ rule of access.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Online Safety Act requires in-scope services, including social media platforms, to protect children from illegal content, harmful content and age-inappropriate content.
The government has announced a consultation and national conversation to gather evidence to understand how best we can build on the Act’s provisions to ensure children have positive, enriched digital lives. The consultation will seek views on a range of measures, including what the right minimum age for children to access social media is.
We will act on the findings of the consultation.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure children use AI safely.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government takes the safety of children extremely seriously. We recognise the potential risks that AI systems pose, and that is why strong protections apply to them. Under the Online Safety Act, in-scope AI services must assess the risk of harm to users from illegal content on their services and implement measures to manage and mitigate this risk. Where services are likely to be accessed by children, they will be required to take action to protect them from harmful content.
The Government has been clear that it will continue to take further action where required. We have introduced new offences in the Crime and Policing Bill to criminalise AI tools designed to generate child sexual abuse material. Additionally, the Secretary of State has confirmed in Parliament that the Government is exploring how emerging services, such as AI chatbots, interact with the Online Safety Act and what further measures may be required.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that parents have the skills they need to support children's safe use of AI.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Protecting children from harm online is a top priority for this government.
This year, the government will be supporting a NSPCC summit at Wilton Park on the impact of AI on childhood. This will bring together experts, technology companies, civil society and young people to explore how AI can benefit children without exposing them to harm
Media literacy is also a key part of our approach, helping children and adults develop critical thinking skills to navigate the growing presence of AI-generated content. DSIT has developed with DfE an online safety parent hub providing guidance on media literacy and online safety.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether support will be made available through the Arts Everywhere funding to heritage ships of historic national significance.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Over the course of this parliament £1.5 billion will be invested in arts venues, museums, libraries and heritage attractions across England. Historic ships, where they are registered as accredited museums, can apply for the Museum Estate and Development Fund, the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, and tax incentives like the Museums and Galleries Exhibitions Tax Relief, and Museum VAT Refund Scheme. The Government also continues to support National Historic Ships UK who lead on research, publications, training, recording and similar activities relating to the preservation of historic vessels.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance and funding streams are available to support independent, family-owned cultural and educational attractions that contribute to community engagement and heritage preservation.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
This Government recognises the importance of local heritage assets in contributing to local community engagement. Through our dedicated funds, such as the £15m Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, delivered by Historic England, and the £4.85m Heritage Revival Fund, delivered by the Architectural Heritage Fund, we support communities and local community organisations to care for and in some cases take ownership of and repurpose heritage assets for community benefit. Support is provided throughout various project stages, and may include guidance and advice on project plans, to funding for feasibility studies and larger capital grants for repairs.
On the 21st of January, the Secretary of State announced a £1.5bn Arts Everywhere package. The package includes nearly £200 million new funding for heritage protecting and preserving heritage buildings across the country:
£60 million for at risk heritage which provides grants towards repairs and conservation of historic buildings.
£41 million for the Heritage Revival Fund which helps communities to take control of and look after local heritage and bring buildings back into public use.
Further details regarding the application process,eligibility criteria and guidance, for both funds, will be announced in due course.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund offers grants between £10,000 and £10 million to projects that connect people and communities to the UK’s heritage.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has had discussions with transport operators, including Eurostar, on the provision and availability of guidance for the carriage of specialist equipment, including musical instruments.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The carriage of specialist items like musical equipment is down to the discretion of transport operators. Most operators have information available on their websites regarding the provision and availability of services to carry specialist items, for example the National Rail Conditions of Travel (NRCOT) which are available on the National Rail Enquiries website states that musical instruments exceeding 30 x 70 x 90 cm are only permitted at the discretion of individual train companies.