Written questions by Whittingdale.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 81396 on Artificial Intelligence: Copyright, if she will publish a list of the membership of all technical working groups that are due to be established in relation to the issue of copyright and AI.

We are establishing technical working groups to inform our approach to copyright and AI. They will be designed to bring together a range of experts and stakeholders across key issues, including transparency and technical standards. We have shared the full list of attendees of the Ministerial meetings with members of the plenary group. The terms of reference will be published in due course.

Innovation and Technology, in what way he plans to appoint the Chairs of the technical sub-groups on (a) AI and (b) copyright; and what criteria will be used to ensure their impartiality.

We have committed to establishing technical working groups to inform our approach to copyright and AI. They will be designed to bring together a range of experts and stakeholders. The initial groups are being jointly chaired by SoS DSIT and SoS DCMS. Details on the subsequent meetings will be set out in due course.

Innovation and Technology, if he will publish the (a) membership, (b) minutes and (c) Terms of Reference of the (i) working groups on AI and copyright and (ii) technical sub-groups.

We have committed to establishing technical working groups to inform our approach to copyright and AI. They will be designed to bring together a range of experts and stakeholders. A full list of attendees and Terms of Reference will be published in due course.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 15 October 2024 to Question 8498 on Digital Technology: Disadvantaged, what steps he is taking to tackle digital exclusion.

Unlike the previous government, this government takes tackling digital exclusion as a priority. That is why we are working to develop our approach with a view to taking coherent and consistent action across government. We expect to make further announcements soon.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2024 to Question 8499 on Information Commission, what implications for the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill were discussed with the Information Commissioner's Office.

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology has worked with John Edwards, the Information Commissioner (IC) on the development of the upcoming Data (Use and Access) Bill.When they met on 30 July, DSIT SoS thanked the IC for his and ICO’s officials’ ongoing support in the development of Bill, and they discussed the plans to give the ICO new, stronger powers and a more modern structure.The IC supports the aims of the Bill and is a vital stakeholder in the Bill’s success. DSIT’s engagement with the IC also fulfils the Government's statutory duty to consult with the ICO when developing policy proposals relating to the processing of personal data.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Home Office on the potential impact of the planned switch from the Public Switched Telephone Network on emergency services.

Yes, the Department engages regularly with the Home Office to identify and mitigate risks associated with the Public Switched Telephone Network switchover, including risks posed to the emergency services. Mostly recently, on 17 September the Department chaired a cross-Government engagement group that the Home Office attended, which included a discussion of the impact on emergency services.The Department also supports the 999 / 112 Liaison Committee chaired by the emergency services, which coordinates and manages all risks and issues related to 999 and ensures efficient handling of emergency calls between the public, call handling agents, and emergency authorities.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2024 to Question 8503 on Government Departments: Telecommunications, whether he plans to meet with Cabinet colleagues to discuss the use of ISDN telephone lines across Government.

The Department chairs a quarterly cross-government group on this issue, to which all government departments are invited. The group allows for discussion around plans and progress, and the opportunity to raise any concerns around the retirement of these legacy networks. Where dependencies have been identified, the Department is actively monitoring the progress of mitigation plans and engaging with industry on removing obstacles to migrating off legacy networks.

Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 18 October 2024 to Question 8500 on Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, whether he plans to have further meetings with the European Commissioner for Justice.

Yes, the Secretary of State and other ministers in the department will continue to meet with the European Commissioner for Justice on this important issue as many times as necessary throughout the EU adequacy review process.

Innovation and Technology, how much and what proportion of funding for Project Gigabit has yet to be (a) allocated and (b) spent.

Almost £2 billion of Project Gigabit contracts are in place, with a further £750 million allocated in live and planned procurements.Project Gigabit spend is reported in Building Digital UK’s (BDUK) annual report and accounts. Total capital Project Gigabit spend in 2021/22 and 2022/23 was £90.9 million. Spend for 2023/24 will be published in BDUK’s next annual report and accounts.The purpose of Project Gigabit is to fund the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband to UK premises that would otherwise not be reached by suppliers' commercial plans. Most of these will be in rural locations, but to achieve full gigabit coverage, and consistent with the programme’s original design, we will also need to address any pockets of poor connectivity in urban areas, removing barriers to efficient build plans and allocating funding where it is needed.

Innovation and Technology, what proportion of the remaining budget of Project Gigabit will be assigned to urban areas.

Almost £2 billion of Project Gigabit contracts are in place, with a further £750 million allocated in live and planned procurements.Project Gigabit spend is reported in Building Digital UK’s (BDUK) annual report and accounts. Total capital Project Gigabit spend in 2021/22 and 2022/23 was £90.9 million. Spend for 2023/24 will be published in BDUK’s next annual report and accounts.The purpose of Project Gigabit is to fund the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband to UK premises that would otherwise not be reached by suppliers' commercial plans. Most of these will be in rural locations, but to achieve full gigabit coverage, and consistent with the programme’s original design, we will also need to address any pockets of poor connectivity in urban areas, removing barriers to efficient build plans and allocating funding where it is needed.

Innovation and Technology, how much and what proportion of the remaining budget for Project Gigabit has been allocated to rural areas.

Almost £2 billion of Project Gigabit contracts are in place, with a further £750 million allocated in live and planned procurements.Project Gigabit spend is reported in Building Digital UK’s (BDUK) annual report and accounts. Total capital Project Gigabit spend in 2021/22 and 2022/23 was £90.9 million. Spend for 2023/24 will be published in BDUK’s next annual report and accounts.The purpose of Project Gigabit is to fund the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband to UK premises that would otherwise not be reached by suppliers' commercial plans. Most of these will be in rural locations, but to achieve full gigabit coverage, and consistent with the programme’s original design, we will also need to address any pockets of poor connectivity in urban areas, removing barriers to efficient build plans and allocating funding where it is needed.

Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to introduce a broadened copyright exception for text and data mining.

No decision has been made on whether to legislate on copyright in relation to text and data mining.The Government is committed to supporting the growth of the creative industries and AI sectors while recognising the value of human-centred creativity. Whilst clarity is needed, this is a complex topic and we must take the time to hear stakeholder views and give them careful consideration.The Minister for Creative Industries, Arts, and Tourism and I held roundtables with the creative, media and AI sectors last month and our departments continue to engage with those stakeholders to inform our approach.