Written questions by Onwurah.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on higher education institutions.

Although my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, did not announce new funding for the higher education (HE) sector, we have since announced measures across fees, maintenance and wider HE reform to address financial pressures faced by the sector, increase support for students, strengthen efforts to improve access and outcomes for disadvantaged students and enable flexibility to be at the core of our HE system. The department is aware that HE providers will have to pay increased national insurance contributions. As my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer set out in the Budget, raising the revenue required to fund public services and restore economic stability requires difficult decisions which is why the government has asked employers to contribute more. The tuition fee limit increase represents an increased investment from students for the sector and will support HE providers in managing the financial challenges they are facing. The department will explore how best it can continue to improve access to HE, thus widening opportunity for our students and learners, while driving the HE system to play a bigger role in our ambitions for national growth.

Which organisation is responsible for ensuring the connection of large energy user buildings.

Depending on the capacity they require, large energy users can connect to either the low-voltage distribution network or the high-voltage transmission network. The networks are owned by private companies that are solely responsible for ensuring the delivery of connections and regulated independently by Ofgem. The distribution network is owned and operated by six Distribution Network Operators across Great Britain. The transmission network is owned by three Transmission Owners and operated by the National Energy System Operator.

Whether his Department plans to amend negotiating objectives in active free trade agreement negotiations.

Economic growth is the first priority of this government. To deliver on this, one of our first steps after taking office was to announce that we were resuming Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with: the Gulf Cooperation Council, India, Israel, South Korea, Switzerland, and Turkey.Having carefully reviewed our negotiation objectives we have now started talks with some of these key partners. We will not sacrifice quality for speed and will only agree deals that are mutually beneficial.

Whether he plans to enable more civil servants to relocate from London to Newcastle upon Tyne.

The Civil Service is committed to establishing a strong presence in regions and nations across the United Kingdom, including in cities such as Newcastle upon Tyne. The Civil Service should be connected to and representative of the communities it serves as well as delivering a high quality of service for citizens across the whole of the UK. Further plans will be set out in due course, aligned with the upcoming Spending Review.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the affordability of the visit visa application process for applicants from (a) low and (b) middle income countries.

The Home Office keeps fees for immigration and nationality applications under review. Where we make fee changes in legislation, an Impact Assessment is published.

What system replaced the AI streaming tool used for visit visa applications discontinued in 2020.

The Global Visa Risk Streaming (GVRS) system which was operated by UK Visas and Immigration for streaming visit visa applications was discontinued on 3rd August 2020 but did not use Artificial Intelligence (AI). The current workflow routing solution, Complexity Application Routing Solution (Visits) (CARS(V)), does not use AI and each visit visa application is decided on a case-by-case assessment against the requirements of the Appendix V Immigration Rules. UK Visas and Immigration have published detailed guidance on the current workflow routing system: Complexity application routing solution (visits) (CARS(V)) (accessible) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of (a) stations and (b) rolling stock on the Northumberland Line.

The six new stations on the Northumberland Line are being constructed in accordance with the appropriate accessibility standards and will need to demonstrate compliance as part of their acceptance into service. The rolling stock will be in compliance with the appropriate accessibility standards.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, what progress the Commission has made on enabling (a) generative AI and (b) other new technologies to support members.

The House Authorities, in conjunction with the House of Lords administration and Parliamentary Digital Service, have been actively exploring the potential for AI, and other new technologies, to support the work of Members. A recent example includes the creation of the online portal for the registration of MPs’ financial interests released in spring 2024.PDS is undertaking a cost-benefit analysis of Microsoft’s Co-Pilot AI tool, which includes AI for mailboxes. This could aid Members and staff in their management of day-to-day administrative activities and involves learning from Government departments which are testing its use. Before a pilot of Co-Pilot could happen within Parliament, there are important information rights protections to put in place to make sure that sensitive information is handled appropriately. Steps to put those protections in place are taking place in coming months.Parliament’s Information and Digital Strategy sets out both an ambition to ensure that the Houses are exploring the opportunities and risks of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and to be more focused on meeting the needs of Members in the delivery of digital services.To support these ambitions, an AI Working Group has been convened with representatives of departments across both Houses coordinating and considering how best to enable the use of generative AI. A Digital Innovation Lab has been established to provide a safe testing ground for the use of AI and other emerging technologies, and initial proofs of concepts are being developed for the use of AI to support the work of Hansard and the Table Office. House staff and PDS are working closely with Government departments to understand their use of AI (in particular the development of the Redbox tool which can summarise documents and briefings, and whether there is potential application in Parliament).To support Members specifically, guidance is being prepared on the safe use of AI in relation to Parliamentary duties. AI learning materials are also being curated, as well as opportunities to learn more through seminar-style events. Both the guidance and learning should become available over the autumn.

Whether he has had discussions with Ofgem on guidance to energy companies on the maximum credit they can hold of their customers' funds before reducing the direct debt or offering a refund.

Ministers have discussed with Ofgem the need to drive higher standards of service for energy customers. Ofgem requires suppliers to ensure that payments are set to avoid building up excessive credit balances, including taking regular meter readings. Excess credit balances should be refunded promptly, upon request. Direct debit payments are designed to be flat across the year, meaning that energy accounts tend to build up a credit balance over the summer, when energy use low, with the reverse occurring over the winter months.