Written questions by Morrison.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure transparency for consumers in the use of AI-generated music on streaming platforms; and what assessment she has made of the potential impact of AI-generated music on artists.

AI presents both significant opportunities and challenges for the creative industries, including music. We recognise concerns regarding AI-generated content on streaming platforms and are engaging with relevant music industry stakeholders to better understand the implications. On AI and copyright specifically, the Secretaries of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have jointly chaired three meetings with representatives of the creative and AI sectors. We are also establishing industry-expert working groups and a parliamentary working group to give Members the opportunity to share their views on AI. Our goal is to put in place measures and funding that will help create the conditions for our UK artists to remain globally competitive. This government is dedicated to supporting UK artists, including emerging talent, to thrive and achieve their full potential. As part of this Government’s Industrial Strategy, the Creative Industries Sector Plan published in June set out our ambition to unlock new opportunities for innovation across the creative sector and wider economy while ensuring a trusted copyright regime that values and protects human creativity.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 July 2025 to Question 67189 on Pre-school Education: Accidents and Death, whether official communication channel exists to communicate early years foundation stage updates to every early years setting.

When changes are made to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, the department ensures there is a comprehensive programme of communications and engagement with the sector to support understanding of the changes. The framework can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2.Updates are communicated through a range of mechanisms, including emails sent to local authorities for dissemination to all early years settings and, where appropriate, through webinars and vodcasts hosted on the Foundation Years website, which can be accessed here: https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/. These are promoted through multiple channels, including local authorities, stronger practice hubs and sector representatives.​

If she will take steps to ensure that early years staff in all settings read (a) the relevant Early years foundation stage statutory framework, last updated on 1 September 2025, in full and (b) NHS guidance on Sudden infant death syndrome, last updated on 21 October 2021.

Early years providers are legally required to adhere to the requirements with the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which can be read in full here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2. It is therefore providers’ responsibility to ensure they and their staff are following the current version of the framework and that they understand the requirements within.Within the framework there is a requirement for providers to ensure that babies are placed down to sleep safely in line with the latest NHS guidance on reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Further information can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome-sids/.The department promotes EYFS framework updates and relevant health and safeguarding guidance through a range of communication channels, including emails sent to local authorities for dissemination to all early years settings, and, where appropriate, through webinars and vodcasts hosted on the Foundation Years website, which can be accessed here: https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 July 2025 to Question 66737 on Pre-school Education: Inspections, how much funding his Department plans on allocating to Ofsted to increase the frequency and quality of Early Years Register inspections.

Further funding is expected to be provided across the next three financial years by the department to Ofsted to increase the frequency and quality of Early Years Register inspections. This is to be agreed between the department and Ofsted.

If she will take steps to produce educational videos to aid early years staff in (a) reading and (b) learning the Early years foundation stage statutory framework.

The department is committed to supporting early years practitioners and teachers to deliver the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework well for the benefit of all children, and already provides a range of educational video content.Our online service ‘Help for Early Years Providers’ includes videos designed to help practitioners understand and implement the EYFS framework.The ‘Foundation Years’ service provides subscribers with the latest EYFS news, information and resources including vodcasts.The ‘Early years child development training’ resource provides online training, including video content, to build practitioners’ understanding of child development and the EYFS framework. This can be accessed here: https://child-development-training.education.gov.uk/.The Education Endowment Foundation’s ‘Early Years Evidence Store’ is regularly updated with evidence-based research to help educators to understand and reflect on their practice, including video content.The department is producing a package of support for teachers completing the EYFS profile assessment, to build their confidence in their role as assessors. This new support will include online resources and videos.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the absence of a formal central email channel for early years foundation stage updates for early years settings on the safety of children in those settings.

When changes are made to the early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework, the department ensures that there is a programme of communications and engagement with the sector to ensure they understand the changes being made. This includes emails sent to local authorities to disseminate to all early years settings.In addition, where appropriate, the department produces webinars and vodcasts on the Foundation Years website, which we promote to the sector via numerous channels, including local authorities, stronger practice hubs and sector representatives. The Foundation Years website is available here: https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/.

What steps she is taking to ensure that Ofsted inspections are (a) standardised and (b) include safe sleep practice.

Ofsted will receive additional funding as part of the Best Start in Life Strategy to enhance the quality and consistency of early years inspections, and we will fund Ofsted to move towards inspecting all providers at least once every four years, in parity with schools.Ofsted’s inspectors for early years inspections are early years professionals with relevant knowledge of safer sleep practice and are capable of assessing a provider’s adherence to the relevant suitability and safer sleeping requirements in the early years foundation stage (EYFS). In September 2025 we strengthened the safeguarding requirements in the EYFS statutory framework, including:Amendments to promote safer recruitment.Creation of new requirements for providers to follow up if a child is absent for a prolonged period of time.A new safer eating section.A safeguarding training annex and a requirement for safeguarding training to be repeated every two years.New requirements to support whistleblowing.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 July 2025 to Question 67189Pre-school Education: Accidents and Death, what steps she is taking to ensure that early years foundation stage safeguarding requirements are (a) implemented within early years settings, (b) read by staff on a mandatory basis and (c) communicated (i) consistently and (ii) coherently when changed.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework sets the standards and requirements all early years providers must legally follow to ensure that children have the best start in life and are kept healthy and safe. The framework is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2.Ofsted is responsible for the registration, regulation and inspection of childcare provision in England. Ofsted, as a regulator, has a responsibility to check that providers meet the EYFS requirements.The EYFS framework states that early years providers must ensure that practitioners are supported and confident to implement the setting’s safeguarding policy and procedures on an ongoing basis.The safeguarding changes to the EYFS framework in September 2025 were supported by a programme of communications and engagement, including webinars and vodcasts via the Foundation Years website. We worked with the sector and local authorities to ensure they understood the changes being made and how to implement them. The Foundation Years website is available here: https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/2025/07/early-years-foundation-stage-eyfs-safeguarding-reforms-2025/.

Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support artists in adapting to the growing presence of AI-generated music in the music industry.

This government is committed to supporting UK artists, including emerging talent, to succeed and reach their full potential. As part of this Government’s Industrial Strategy, the Creative Industries Sector Plan published in June set out our ambition to unlock new opportunities for innovation across the creative sector and wider economy while ensuring a trusted copyright regime that values and protects human creativity. We continue to engage with industry to understand the challenges and opportunities it faces, including from AI, and are putting in place measures and funding that help create the conditions for UK artists to remain globally competitive. The Creative Industries Sector Plan also announced the new Music Growth Package of up to £30 million over three years from 2026; more than doubling funding for the grassroots music sector. This funding will support new artists with touring, performance, mentoring and export opportunities and ensure they have the resources and guidance to grow their careers, reach wider audiences and remain competitive as new technologies such as AI impact the music industry landscape.

What steps her Department is taking to support the Community Security Trust in safeguarding (a) synagogues, (b) Jewish schools and (c) other Jewish community locations.

There is no excuse for violence or abuse driven by antisemitic hatred and discrimination, and we support the police in taking strong action against those who carry out these crimes.This Government is committed to supporting the protection of Jewish communities against antisemitic attacks and other security threats.The Jewish Community Protective Security (JCPS) Grant provides protective security measures (such as security personnel services, CCTV and alarm systems) at synagogues, Jewish educational establishments and community sites. It is managed on behalf of the Home Office by the Community Security Trust.From 2024/25 to 2027/28, the Community Security Trust has been allocated £18 million annually through the JCPS Grant to continue this important work. We continue to work closely with the CST to ensure the safety and security of Jewish communities across the UK.

Whether his Department plans to establish a research hub to (a) coordinate research and (b) support early-career researchers working on ME and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 financial years the NIHR committed approximately £3.7 million to research projects and programmes on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The NIHR, alongside other Government research funders, remains committed to funding high-quality research to understand the causes, consequences, and treatment for ME/CFS.Together with the Medical Research Council (MRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation, we are actively exploring next steps in ME/CFS research, as outlined in the ME/CFS final delivery plan. This includes a new funding opportunity for a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed pharmaceutical inventions for post-acute infection syndromes and associated conditions, including ME/CFS. This funding opportunity is one component of our approach to improve the evidence around the diagnosis, management, and treatment of post-acute infection conditions, including ME/CFS. We are also planning an NIHR and MRC hosted showcase event for post-acute infection conditions research, including ME/CFS and long COVID, later this year to stimulate further research in this field.The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including post-acute infection conditions such as ME/CFS, and research funding is available. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on ME/CFS and other post-acute infection conditions to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded. Establishing a research hub for ME/CFS would not provide the same level of flexibility. The NIHR Academy offers extensive support for early-career researchers through various fellowships, training awards, and mentoring structures. For instance, through the INSIGHT Programme, they work with universities to fund research masters studentships and attract students into research. Through Academic Clinical Fellowships, for doctors and dentists, and Predoctoral Academic Fellowships, for other health professionals, the NIHR Academy supports healthcare practitioners in integrating research with clinical practice.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that online sellers meet their obligations in relation to (a) the Hallmarking Act 1973 and (b) the payment of VAT.

(a)Anyone selling precious metals items must comply with the Hallmarking Act 1973. British Hallmarking Council guidance is available at: ”Selling articles of precious metal on the internet - GOV.UK”. In January 2025, I met some of the major online marketplaces and emphasised the importance of ensuring non-compliant products are not made available through their channels.(b)VAT collection is already regulated by HMRC under the VAT Act 1994, with updates from the Finance Act 2021 that place VAT obligations on online marketplaces. Since 2021 online marketplaces are liable to VAT from overseas sellers operating on their platform, levelling the playing field with UK businesses.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing measures to ensure that (a) the (i) location and (ii) identity of online sellers can be effectively verified and (b) information on where the item will be shipped from is displayed on the UK websites for global selling platforms.

The increase in e-commerce has provided greater choice and convenience, giving consumers access to global markets. However, this has brought significant regulatory challenges.The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 requires ‘material information’ to be included in any invitation to purchase. The Act prohibits unfair commercial practices, which includes misleading actions and omissions that are likely to impact the average consumer’s transactional decisions.Government has committed to consult on introducing proportionate requirements to online actors using powers in the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025. This includes the aim for consumers purchasing online to have appropriate safety information.

How much funding his Department has allocated for Myalgic encephalomyelitis research in each of the last five years.

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 financial years the NIHR committed approximately £3.7 million to research projects and programmes on myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). The NIHR, alongside other Government research funders, remains committed to funding high-quality research to understand the causes, consequences, and treatment for ME/CFS.Together with the Medical Research Council (MRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation, we are actively exploring next steps in ME/CFS research, as outlined in the ME/CFS final delivery plan. This includes a new funding opportunity for a development award focussed on evaluating repurposed pharmaceutical inventions for post-acute infection syndromes and associated conditions, including ME/CFS. This funding opportunity is one component of our approach to improve the evidence around the diagnosis, management, and treatment of post-acute infection conditions, including ME/CFS. We are also planning an NIHR and MRC hosted showcase event for post-acute infection conditions research, including ME/CFS and long COVID, later this year to stimulate further research in this field.The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including post-acute infection conditions such as ME/CFS, and research funding is available. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality. Welcoming applications on ME/CFS and other post-acute infection conditions to all NIHR programmes enables maximum flexibility both in terms of the amount of research funding a particular area can be awarded, and the type of research which can be funded. Establishing a research hub for ME/CFS would not provide the same level of flexibility. The NIHR Academy offers extensive support for early-career researchers through various fellowships, training awards, and mentoring structures. For instance, through the INSIGHT Programme, they work with universities to fund research masters studentships and attract students into research. Through Academic Clinical Fellowships, for doctors and dentists, and Predoctoral Academic Fellowships, for other health professionals, the NIHR Academy supports healthcare practitioners in integrating research with clinical practice.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including the adequacy of support services for adult survivors of child sexual abuse in the terms of reference for the planned independent inquiry into grooming gangs announced on 16 June 2025.

In line with the Inquiries Act 2005, the Chair of the National Inquiry into Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, once appointed, will play a central role in shaping the inquiry's Terms of Reference. These will be published in draft and consulted on with stakeholders, including victims and survivors, before being finalised. The Inquiry will have full statutory powers to investigate systemic and institutional failings wherever they are found. Where the Inquiry finds evidence of potential criminal wrongdoing, it will provide the material to the relevant police force for investigation.

Whether his Department has made an assessment made of the potential merits of Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers in the development of the hydrogen economy.

The Government continues to review the range of potential hydrogen carriers, including liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), and their role in the long-distance transport, storage and trade of hydrogen. Our ongoing assessment highlights the need for further research, demonstration and learning from deployment in order to optimise carrier options, whilst ensuring environmental and safety concerns have been fully considered and mitigated. This assessment will help to inform the potential of hydrogen carriers in enabling hydrogen deployment and their contribution to delivering the infrastructure needed to unlock hydrogen’s role in clean power, providing new home-grown energy and good jobs in our industrial heartlands.

What steps her Department is taking to help ensure that survivors of child sexual abuse (a) receive support in a timely manner and (b) are assured that support will be provided.

The Home Office recognises the devastating impacts that child sexual exploitation and abuse can have on victims and survivors and is committed to ensuring that all victims and survivors, including men and boys, receive better care and support.As set out in the Government’s Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Progress Update in April, we are working across Government to develop ambitious proposals to improve therapeutic support services for victims of child sexual abuse.This year the Home Office is doubling funding for adult victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, to a total investment of £2.59 million in the Support for Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (SVSCSA) fund. This includes funding for support helplines, in-person and remote counselling, group support, and training for professionals working with victims.We also recognise the importance of ensuring that all staff supporting victims have sufficient guidance on child sexual abuse to deliver effective trauma informed support. The Government is providing funding to the independent Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse to strengthen professional responses to child sexual abuse through evidence-based training and resources.In line with the Inquiries Act 2005, the Chair of the National Inquiry into Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, once appointed, will play a central role in shaping the inquiry’s Terms of Reference. These will be published in draft and consulted on with stakeholders, including victims and survivors, before being finalised. The Inquiry will have full statutory powers to investigate systemic and institutional failings wherever they are found.

What discussions she has had with relevant stakeholders on the introduction of medals for emergency service personnel injured in the line of duty.

Any official award is a gift from the Government, on behalf of His Majesty The King to recognise individuals within policing and emergency services personnel. The creation of a new award requires cross Government consensus and approval from the Committee on The Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals, before advice is put to HM The King to make his final decision.The Home Office will continue to consider proposals for new awards for members of the emergency services. It is only right that we recognise the sacrifices made by the emergency services, and it is important to make sure this is considering fully and carefully to ensure any changes are proportionate and effective.

Whether he made a comparative assessment of Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers with and other hydrogen (a) storage and (b) transport methods to inform the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan.

The Government continues to review the range of potential hydrogen carriers, including liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), and their role in the long-distance transport, storage and trade of hydrogen. Our ongoing assessment highlights the need for further research, demonstration and learning from deployment in order to optimise carrier options, whilst ensuring environmental and safety concerns have been fully considered and mitigated. This assessment will help to inform the potential of hydrogen carriers in enabling hydrogen deployment and their contribution to delivering the infrastructure needed to unlock hydrogen’s role in clean power, providing new home-grown energy and good jobs in our industrial heartlands.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing financial support for pensioners in single-person households who have higher per-person energy costs than those in households with more than one person.

The Government knows that more needs to be done to support vulnerable households which are struggling with bills whilst we transition to clean power. The Department’s Warm Home Discount (WHD) provides a £150 rebate off winter energy bills for eligible low-income households. On 19 June we announced that we are expanding the Warm Home Discount to around an additional 2.7 million households. This means that from next winter, around 6 million low-income households will receive the £150 support to help with their energy bill costs. The Warm Home Discount regulations expire in 2026, and we will want to consider all options for future bill support beyond this point. In the interim, one of the biggest practical barriers to providing help to households that need it, is the availability of the right data to target financial support and advice. The Department is working closely with other Government Departments to unlock the data that will enable us to more effectively target support to those who need help with their energy bills.