Written questions by Stainbank.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to protect creative industries from AI developers scraping copyrighted works without permission or payment; and if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing (a) transparency obligations for AI developers, (b) a dynamic licensing market and (c) other protections for those industries.

The Government published a consultation on Copyright and AI in December 2024. This consultation seeks views on a number of issues relating to copyright and AI including transparency from AI developers over their training sources and renumeration to the creative industries for the use of their work. The success of any new approach to copyright and AI will depend on stronger trust between AI developers and right holders. That is why transparency and right holder control are two of the three primary objectives underpinning the Government’s approach to this work. The consultation closes on 25 February.

Whether the jet zero taskforce plenary group have met.

The Inaugural Jet Zero Taskforce Plenary took place on 4 December 2024 chaired by the Secretary of State for Transport. Members discussed the Taskforce Terms of Reference and priorities for 2025. Meeting minutes will be published in due course.

Whether the Jet Zero Taskforce has made an assessment of the potential merits of transitioning Grangemouth into a sustainable aviation fuel facility.

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given to PQ [UIN 23039] on 17 January 2025.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of changes to the Skilled Worker salary threshold on service levels in her Department.

Whilst the impact of changes to the Skilled Worker Salary threshold are affecting a very small proportion of staff within the Department, visa expiry and potential options for obtaining a future work visa are specific to individuals’ circumstances and the Home Office legislation which applies at the time that their current visa expires. As current employees’ Visa expiry dates span several years and not all will be impacted by the changes to the skilled worker salary thresholds, the department does not expect changes to the Skilled Worker salary threshold to negatively impact on service levels.

How many staff in her Department have been unable to secure further sponsorship following changes to the Skilled Worker salary threshold.

DWP does not hold this information centrally as this is information pertinent to individual circumstances and held by individuals.

Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to (a) promote and (b) support animal-free research; and what initiatives the Government provides to help increase funding for animal-free research research methods.

The Government is committed to supporting the uptake and development of alternative methods to the use of animals in science and we are engaging with the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory authorities on how to take this commitment forward.A significant part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding supports the development of alternative methods such as microphysiological systems, (eg.organ-on-a-chip and organoid platforms) and in silico models, eg. artificial intelligence (AI). The Government also currently invests £10m annually in the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) to accelerate the development and adoption of non-animal approaches.

What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on supporting transport providers to buy British buses.

On 8 October 2024, the Department announced plans to create a new UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel. This panel will bring together industry experts and local leaders to explore ways to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing. The Department continues to work with officials across Government to engage with British bus manufacturing stakeholders and more details on this will be set out in due course. UK-based bus manufacturers have benefited the most from the Department’s funding programmes, such as Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA). It is estimated that 60% of ZEBRA-supported buses will be procured from UK-based manufacturers, supporting economic growth and jobs across the zero-carbon transport industry. We want to see domestic manufacturers build on this foundation and stimulate innovation and skills development to ensure the UK remains a leader in bus manufacturing.

If the Jet Zero Taskforce Group will make an assessment of the potential merits of transitioning Grangemouth into a Sustainable Aviation Fuel facility.

This government, along with the Scottish Government, has put in place support to help workers to find new, skilled jobs, signed the £100m Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal, and funded Project Willow to find a viable long-term future for the site. This work includes consideration of potential production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel on the site amongst other options.

What assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of Pension Credit at tackling financial hardship among older people; and what steps she is taking to improve levels of (a) awareness and (b) uptake of Pension Credit among (i) eligible groups and (ii) women born in the 1950s that were impacted by changes to the State Pension age.

Pension Credit was introduced specifically to help address pensioner poverty. It provides a vital safety net for low-income pensioners by guaranteeing a minimum level of income. For a single pensioner this Standard Minimum Guarantee (SMG) is currently set at £218.15 per week; for pensioner couples it is £332.95. The Government is absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. Subject to Parliamentary approval, in April 2025 the SMG will increase by 4.1% and mean that the SMG for a single pensioner will be £227.10 per week and for a pensioner couple it will be £346.60 - an increase in both cash and real terms. Receipt of Pension Credit also opens the door to a whole range of other financial support, including help with rent, council tax, fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75. That’s why the Government is taking significant steps to raise awareness and maximise the take-up of Pension Credit. Our campaign to promote Pension Credit has been running since September and is aimed at all eligible pensioners, including of course, women born in the 1950s. It has been running on TV, radio, social media such as Facebook and Instagram, on YouTube, on advertising screens, including on GP and Post Office screens as well as in the press. The latest phase of the campaign ran from 8 November and was aimed at friends and family - especially adult children of eligible pensioners - asking them to tell people they know about Pension Credit, encourage them to check their eligibility, as well as help them make a claim. In November we also wrote to around 120,000 pensioners who were in receipt of Housing Benefit but not Pension Credit. We invited these pensioners to claim Pension Credit in time to make a successful backdated Pension Credit claim and qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment. In order to promote Pension Credit through as many channels as possible, we have also engaged with key stakeholders and partners, including other government departments, local councils, housing associations, community groups, local libraries and service providers as well as charities and third sector organisations. Over the coming weeks, as part of the annual State Pension uprating exercise, around 11 million pensioners will receive a leaflet promoting Pension Credit along with their State Pension uprating letter.

Communities and Local Government, whether Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing additional funding to Returning Officers to cover the costs of accessible voting devices that excee

The Elections Act 2022 requires Returning Officers to consider and provide support for electors with all forms of disability, including varying degrees of sight loss. The Tactile Voting Device, introduced in 2001, has proven effective for some voters with...

What steps his Department is taking to help increase the number of jobs in the renewable energy sector.

The Government is committed to creating good clean energy jobs through the multitude of investments being made to support our mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower such as Great British Energy, the British Jobs Bonus, and boosting support for o...