Written questions by Midgley.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to (a) mitigate pollution from historic landfills and (b) facilitate the remediation of landfill sites in Knowsley constituency.

Responsibility typically lies with the landowner to maintain systems that prevent pollution. Under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities are primarily responsible for managing contaminated land, including designating historic landfills. If a historic landfill site is designated as a ‘special site,’ the Environment Agency (EA) can require remediation and continues to support local authorities in fulfilling their duties. The EA regulates two permitted landfill facilities in Knowsley, in line with issued permits: Marl Road (an inert waste closed landfill), which stopped recieving waste in the 1990’s. There is no requirement within the permit to remediate. Following a site visit in 2024, the EA observed that the site is covered with vegetation.Cronton Quarry (an inert waste operational landfill), which will be depositing waste for a further 3-4 months as a disposal operation. The site will then move into the restoration phase. These restoration works involve depositing of waste as part of an ongoing programme of remediation.

Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions he has had with authors whose work has been used without (a) permission or (b) remuneration to train generative AI models.

The Government has engaged extensively with the creative sector, including through a roundtable meeting held by the Secretary of State in March.The consultation on copyright and AI, which closed on 25 February, specifically sought views on giving rights holders greater control over uses of their material in AI training and supporting their ability to be remunerated when used.The Government will continue to engage with the sector, as it carefully analyses the responses received to the consultation.

Innovation and Technology, how many responses there were to the consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence which closed on 25 February 2025.

The Government received 11,587 responses to the consultation on copyright and AI. This total includes online survey responses and email submissions.A small number of the email submissions received were associated with online survey responses (providing supporting evidence, for example), so the total number of distinct responses will be slightly lower than 11,587.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that (a) artists and (b) creators retain control over the use of their (i) voice, (ii) style and (iii) likeness by generative artificial intelligence.

The Government published a consultation on 17 December 2024, seeking views on several topics relating to the interaction between copyright and artificial intelligence (AI). Given the rise of AI-generated ‘digital replicas’, the consultation sought views on whether the UK’s existing legal framework provides individuals with sufficient control over their voice and appearance.The consultation closed on 25 February 2025. The Government’s priority now is to review all responses to the consultation. The Government will set out its position in due course.

Innovation and Technology, whether his Department has made an estimate of the proportion of large artificial intelligence language models that are trained on datasets containing copyrighted material without licensing agreements.

Copying protected material in the UK will infringe copyright unless it is licensed, or an exception to copyright applies.The Government recently consulted on several topics relating to the interaction between copyright and artificial intelligence (AI), including seeking evidence on the use of copyright material in AI model development and transparency on this.This consultation closed on 25th February.The Government’s priority now is to review all responses to the consultation, to help inform its next steps. The Government will continue to engage extensively on this issue and its proposals will be set out in due course.

Innovation and Technology, whether he is taking steps to support fair remuneration for creatives whose works are used in AI datasets.

The Government published its consultation on Copyright and AI on 17 December 2024. This sought views on giving rights holders of creative works greater control over use of their material to train AI models and supporting their ability to be remunerated where it is used. The consultation closed on 25 February 2025.The Government’s priority now is to review all responses to the consultation, to help inform its approach to copyright and AI. The Government will continue to engage extensively as it considers next steps, and its proposals will be set out in due course.

Innovation and Technology, what representations he has received from creative industry stakeholders on the economic impact of generative AI.

The Government published a consultation on 17 December 2024, seeking views on several topics relating to the interaction between copyright and artificial intelligence (AI). This included seeking evidence on the economic impact of its proposals.The consultation closed on 25 February 2025 and the Government received over 11,500 responses. Ministers have also met with representatives of the creative industries and AI sectors to discuss the impact of generative AI.The Government’s priority now is to review all responses to the consultation, to help inform its approach to copyright and AI. The Government will set out its proposals in due course.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of generative artificial intelligence on employment in the creative industries.

AI is increasingly being used as a tool in the creative process, from music and film production to publishing, architecture and design. As of September 2024 more than 38% of Creative Industries businesses said they have used AI technologies, with nearly 50% using AI to improve business operations.It may foster innovation and efficiency but may also disrupt the sector.We are working with the creative sector and committed to ensuring our brilliant artists benefit in working with the AI sector to harness the opportunities this technology provides.

Innovation and Technology, when he plans to publish the Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Governance consultation.

The Government published its consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on 17 December 2024. This closed on 25 February 2025.The Government’s priority now is to review all responses to the consultation, to help inform its approach to copyright and AI. The Government will continue to engage extensively as it considers next steps, and its proposals will be set out in due course.

Innovation and Technology, if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that generative AI developers are obliged to disclose the use of creative works in AI training.

The Government’s consultation on copyright and AI closed on 25 February. This sought views on a proposal to require AI model developers to be more transparent about how they obtain and use copyright works in their training. Our priority now is to review the evidence from the consultation which will inform the Government response, including any legislative proposals.

Innovation and Technology, how many (a) in person and (b) online meetings he has had with organisations representing the creative industries since July 2024.

Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a range of stakeholders about the creative industries.Ministerial meetings and engagements are published through quarterly transparency reports on GOV.UK.

Innovation and Technology, if he will list the dates of meetings he has held with (a) companies and (b) creators on the potential impact of artificial intelligence on copyright since July 2024.

Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a range of stakeholders about artificial intelligence and copyright.Ministerial meetings and engagements are published through quarterly transparency reports on GOV.UK.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his Israeli counterparts on reported Israeli settler attacks on Masafer Yatta in the West Bank.

The Foreign Secretary continues to raise the rights of Palestinians and the need for Israel to hold settler violence to account in his engagements with Israeli counterparts. and The Foreign Secretary has also met Palestinian community members in the West Bank where he heard how communities are affected. We have always been clear that Israeli settlements are illegal under international law and harm prospects for a two-state solution. We condemn settler violence, and we are clear that the Israeli government must crack down on settler violence, stop settlement expansion and reject annexation of the West Bank. The demolitions of Palestinian homes causes unnecessary extensive suffering to Palestinians. In all but the most exceptional of cases, demolitions by an occupying power are contraryct to international law. Israel must cease its policy of demolitions and provide a clear route to construction for Palestinians in Area C.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of cuts to Official Development Assistance on (a) women and (b) children.

The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Detailed decisions on how the ODA budget will be used, including our work supporting women and children, will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review based on various factors including impact assessments.

What steps she is taking to support young people living with a long-term health condition to find work.

The Government recognises that many people find health conditions and disabilities a barrier to employment. Disabled people and people with health conditions are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key.Department for Work and Pensions currently provides young people aged 16-24, who are claiming Universal Credit, with labour market support through an extensive range of interventions at a national and local level. This support includes the Youth Employment Programme, Youth Hubs across Great Britain, and Youth Employability Coaches for young people with additional barriers to finding work. Youth Employability Coaches specifically work closely with Disability Employment Advisors to support those with disabilities and health conditions.Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Education will also be launching a Youth Guarantee for all 18-21 year olds in England to ensure that they can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work, starting in eight Youth Trailblazer areas from this Spring.There are a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals with health conditions to stay in work and get back into work, which involve joint working between Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Health and Social Care. Support includes Employment Advisers in NHS Talking Therapies, Individual Placement and Support programme for people with severe mental illnesses, and Intensive Personalised Employment Support programme aimed at disabled people with complex barriers to employment. In addition, Department for Health and Social Care’s Early Support Hubs also provide employment advice and broader mental health and wellbeing support to young people aged 11-25.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to increase physical activity levels for women.

The Government is dedicated to supporting every aspect of women’s sport and ensuring all women and girls, no matter their background, have access to high quality sport.We want to break down the barriers that exist and prevent women and girls from being active including but not limited to kit, facilities, time and cost. This Girl Can, which recently celebrated its ten year anniversary, is an inspiring campaign that has promoted women’s sport, challenged prejudice and made clear that sport is for everyone.The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Separately, as a government, we are investing £123 million in inclusive grassroots sport facilities that will support more women and girls to take part in the sports that they love.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether an impact assessment was carried out on the impact of cuts to Official Development Assistance.

The Prime Minister has set out a new strategic vision for government spending on defence and security, and official development assistance. Detailed decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review on the basis of various factors including impact assessments.

What steps her Department is taking to support people living with a musculoskeletal condition to remain in work.

MSK conditions are one of the leading conditions reported by people who are economically inactive due to long-term sickness in the UK, increasing by 34% between 2018/19 and 2023/24. The ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper sets out government’s plans to reform employment, health and skills support to tackle rising economic inactivity levels including the £3.5m joint DWP, DHSC and NHS England ‘Getting It Right First Time’ MSK Community Delivery Programme which will work directly with ICBs to reduce MSK community waiting times, improve data and enable referral pathways to wider support services. WorkWell sites also went live in 15 areas across England from October 2024, providing low intensity holistic support for health-related barriers to employment, and a single joined up gateway to existing local work and health service provision. By Spring 2026, WorkWell is expected to support up to 56,000 disabled people and people with health conditions, including MSK, to get into work and get on at work.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure affordable water supply for households.

As the independent economic regulator, Ofwat independently scrutinises water company business plans and ensure the prices water companies charge their customers are fair and proportionate. All water companies have measures in place for people who struggle to pay for their water and wastewater services, including measures such as WaterSure, social tariffs, payment breaks and holidays, and debt management support. We expect all companies to make sure households are aware of the measures available to them and do everything they can to support their customers. Furthermore, we expect companies to hold themselves accountable for their public commitment to end water poverty by 2030 and will work with the sector to ensure appropriate measures are taken to this end. The Government is working with industry to keep the current support schemes under review to ensure that vulnerable customers across the country are supported.

Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve water infrastructure.

The Water Environment (Water Framework Directive) (England and Wales) Regulations 2017 transposed the European Union’s Water Framework Directive (WFD) into law in England and Wales and were retained in UK law after EU exit. In the Government’s response to the Office for Environmental Protection’s report on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive Regulations, this Government agreed that not enough progress has been made in meeting the Framework’s objective for water quality, to restore water bodies to good ecological status or good ecological potential. This is due to a failure by the previous Government to drive sufficient investment and action over the last 15 years since the first River Basin Management Plans were published. The Secretary of State has made cleaning up the water environment a priority for Defra and made clear that increased action and investment, and more effective management of the water system as a whole is required.