Kanishka Narayan
MP for Vale of Glamorgan · Labour · United Kingdom
“May I, as ever, thank the Chair of the Select Committee for such a depth of expertise and experience, and in particular for the report that she mentioned, which has formed the basis of a lot of our thinking?”
“I first thank my hon. Friend for championing an incredibly important cause. Content promoting eating disorders is horrific, and I have to be clear that not just at the age of 16, but under the Online Safety Act 2023, platforms must already prevent children under the age of 18 from accessing content about eating disorders or self-harm.”
“This Government have led the world in tackling dangerous content online, including in law with illegal content duties that platforms must comply with, with our full backing for Ofcom’s enforcement of them, and by strengthening the law, with cyber-flashing, intimate image abuse and self-harm content all deemed priority offences needing to…”
“Do we want tougher accountability? Absolutely. That is why the codes published mean stronger review mechanisms, a direct line to law enforcement and a clear crisis playbook required of risky platforms. Do we want it to be faster? Absolutely. That is exactly why we have asked Ofcom to expedite those codes in particular.”
“Keeping people safe online at moments of real danger is a top priority for this Government. That is why we have asked Ofcom to expedite its work on updates to its codes of practice under the Online Safety Act 2023. All services face strict duties to deal with illegal content.”
“I first pay tribute to the families that I have met who have raised the issue of suicide forums, which the hon. Member rightly raises. I have committed to them in the past that we will continue to press for quicker remedies for them when they suffer the worst tragedies imaginable.”
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“I am conscious of the focus on investment that delivers the greatest impact across the centres—working with centres to develop sustainable models and innovative partnerships will deliver on resilience and value for money.”
“As highlighted, many have ageing infrastructure, which needs replacement, and many operate as charities without a consistent funding stream. They often rely on low ticket prices to ensure that accessibility is a priority and to deliver on inclusive community engagement. I recognise those pressures, as we do right across Government, and we understand the difficult decisions that many centres face, but with limited income sources and major infrastructure needs, building financial resilience will be a key part of long-term success for the centres. I know that they will reflect on diversifying income and exploring innovative ways to strengthen sustainability as part of the solution. I am also keen to highlight the available funding streams that UKRI will continue to provide, some of which may be of relevance and support to the centres.”
“Last year, 55% of visitors were female, and targeted outreach programmes are bringing science to communities that have historically been excluded from STEM careers. Close to my heart, I am particularly excited about the way in which the centres speak to diversity of place as well, ensuring an offer for rural places, such as those highlighted by my hon. Friends the Members for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr and for Widnes and Halewood (Derek Twigg). That is the case right across every part of our Union, as represented so ably by Members’ contributions today from across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales—diversity not just in theory, but in practice. I listened carefully to the concerns expressed by Members about the financial and operational challenges faced by the centres.”
“UKRI support, through its research councils, has been pivotal in enabling those programmes, aligning public investment with priority sectors and ensuring that research outcomes reach learners, teachers and under-represented communities nationwide. The scale of these centres’ reach is remarkable. In 2024 alone, they welcomed over 5.2 million visitors, including hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren and families. More than 450,000 people from disadvantaged or under-represented communities were able to access the centres free of charge. Over the past two years, science and discovery centres have worked with 37% of UK schools, supporting the science curriculum and STEM skills in 96% of parliamentary constituencies. Importantly, these centres help us to tackle one of the biggest challenges in science and technology: diversity.”
“The Life Science Centre in Newcastle and Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh are active delivery partners in this national programme, bringing inclusive, practical physical science engagement to schools and families. Through Next Gen Earth, centres are connecting young people with climate and environmental science, linking classroom concepts to real-world data and local action. The Centre for Alternative Technology in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr continues to play a leading role in this programme, helping young people to engage with climate science through hands-on workshops and youth-led projects. Mindsets + Missions has supported new ways for science and discovery centres and museums to co-create with local audiences, strengthening trust, inclusion and civic value, alongside scientific literacy.”
“They maintain strong civic links with schools, teachers, industry, businesses and research partners, and they meet the growing demand for STEM education and learning opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Through their engagement right across the UK, these centres enrich our cultural life, much like museums and galleries do for art and heritage. They deliver outstanding experiences that spark curiosity, foster critical thinking and build problem-solving skills, which are qualities that collectively drive innovation. The Explore Your Universe: Valuing Inclusion programme has taken hands-on science into schools and communities that rarely have access to those opportunities, building confidence and inspiring future STEM careers.”
“A strong, skilled STEM workforce is vital to delivering innovation, driving productivity and strengthening our country through our mission-led approach. That means inspiring the next generation, broadening participation and ensuring that science does not just happen behind closed doors but belongs to everyone. That is exactly the motivation behind our £187 million TechFirst programme, which will touch the lives of 1 million young people right across the UK. The Government acknowledge that that is one of the key areas in which science and discovery centres play a deeply important role. Although some centres conduct research, their primary purpose is to serve as cultural institutions and visitor attractions that embed science within the UK’s cultural fabric, making it open, inclusive and aspirational.”
“Those allocations reflect our national science and technology priorities, ensuring the UK leads in critical fields such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and life sciences—areas that are essential to our future prosperity. I am conscious that investment alone is not enough. To turn this unprecedented commitment into real-world impact, we need a world-class STEM workforce—a pipeline of talented individuals equipped to transform ideas into breakthroughs. That is why the Government believe in the value of a strong STEM workforce and have committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to pursue a rewarding career in science, technology, engineering and maths.”
“It signals our determination to put science and technology at the heart of our national priorities. Of that investment, £38 billion is allocated to UK Research and Innovation to deliver our core priorities across the research and innovation buckets. That includes £14 billion for advancing curiosity-driven research, £7 billion to support the formation and growth of innovative companies and £8 billion for funding research into the Government’s priorities, including the industrial strategy priority areas. For the first time, UKRI will map its investments against priority sectors, with £9 billion of direct support for the industrial strategy across buckets 2 and 3.”
“It has been a total delight to hear about the wonderfully distinct flavours of science and discovery centres across the country, and about the distinct stages of our lives at which they have touched us. As my hon. Friend said, they include the experiences of our parents, of our childhood, of our schooling, of our enlightened first girls’ holidays, of our weddings and of our professional work too. Growing the economy is the Government’s No. 1 priority, and science and technology are central to achieving that ambition. That is why the Government have committed to an unprecedented £86 billion investment in UK research and development over the next five years—the largest ever by any Government. That investment is about driving innovation, creating jobs and securing long-term economic growth.”
“Thank you, Mrs Harris. I pay my due respects to you as the godmother of the Welsh mafia. It is always a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, but particularly on this occasion. With my hon. Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr (Steve Witherden) initiating his first Westminster Hall debate on this deeply important subject, you in the Chair and me responding on behalf of the Government, I am deeply proud that the Welsh enthusiasm for science and technology is right at the heart of the debate. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr for securing this important debate on the impact of science and discovery centres on national science and technology priorities. I am grateful to all Members who contributed to the debate.”
“It would be remiss of me not to pay a personal tribute to the science and discovery centres. As true as the preference for magazines of the hon. Member for Winchester (Dr Chambers) is, it is also true that growing up faced with the choice between Techniquest in Cardiff Bay, and the cinema and bowling alley neighbouring it, I made a commitment to my parents—and I commit the same to the House—that my preference was always Techniquest. On that note, I thank all Members who have spoken today. The debate has highlighted not only the extraordinary contribution of science and discovery centres, but the shared responsibility that we all have to ensure that they succeed in a sustainable way, and that the inclusive way in which they engage young people and families right across this country is maintained for as long as possible.”
“I am keen not just to meet the low bar of having turned up to the debate as a Minister, but to take up the requests of hon. Members across the House to ensure that today is the start of the conversation, not the end of it. I am therefore delighted to commit to a meeting with my hon. Friend the Member for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr and with the Association for Science and Discovery Centres to progress the conversation in a tangible way as well. On the question of potential sources of funding, whether underspends or Treasury, I am afraid that I have neither the power, nor—on this occasion—the willingness to commit to particular sources of funding and to write a fiscal event live in this debate, but I have heard loud and clear the concerns expressed about the funding resilience of science and discovery centres.”
“We will continue to champion programmes that broaden participation and that embed science in our culture, while exploring practical ways to support the infrastructure that enables the centres to thrive, always guided by the principle of long-term sustainability. I am particularly conscious of the questions asked by Members from across the House. In response to the question about departmental engagement, I am keen—I have turned up here—that DSIT engages closely, but I am also conscious that the cultural contribution of discovery centres is a fundamental part of what motivates them and those who visit them. I am therefore keen to commit to close cross-Government working right across DCMS, DSIT and any other Departments.”
“I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for her experience of science societies that she described so vividly. Historically, as I mentioned, UKRI has funded specific programmes. I am conscious that where there is available programme funding for eligible centres, they ought to ensure that they apply for it. I am keen to make sure that UKRI is working keenly and engaging with the centres, flagging up such funds as relevant. Looking ahead, we remain committed to strengthening the STEM pipeline in collaboration with science and discovery centres, UKRI and industry, so that together we can inspire the next generation and secure the UK’s future as a science and technology leader.”
“In that instance, the Government acted swiftly in exceptional circumstances by providing a £1.5 billion loan guarantee to protect jobs, support businesses in the supply chain, and preserve this vital part of British industry. However, as the hon. Member for Exmouth and Exeter East (David Reed) noted, that should not be the expectation on Government; businesses must look to their own defences as a matter of corporate responsibility.”
“However, the Government need assurances that the resilience to cyber-attack of essential services, the disruption of which would have the most profound consequences for public safety, national security and economic stability, is prioritised. Of course, businesses outside the scope of the Bill should make it a critical business priority to gain the same assurance without the need for as much Government intervention. I am aware of the points made by my hon. Friends the Members for Lichfield (Dave Robertson) and for Warwick and Leamington, the Chair of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, as well as by my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West (Dame Chi Onwurah), the Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, on Jaguar Land Rover.”
“A significant source of mitigation must be the quality of our capability in the private sector, but also in the public sector. I pay tribute to the work of the AI Security Institute, which is right at the frontier of understanding the risk of agentic AI. Several Members asked questions about scope. Of course, there is a significant risk across our economy, but we have chosen to focus, as NIS regulations have historically done, on essential services, the failure of whose network and information systems poses imminent threat to life to the British public. For that reason, the scope of the Bill is tight. That is not to say that other businesses should not do a great deal to protect themselves against cyber-attacks.”
“Let me deal with some of the themes that hon. Members raised, especially threats from AI that will emerge in future. The right hon. Member for Hertsmere (Sir Oliver Dowden) and my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton (Sarah Russell) mentioned those threats. AI will almost certainly continue to make elements of cyber-intrusion operations more effective and efficient, and cyber-threats more frequent and intense. That is why it is important that organisations take steps to bolster their cyber-defences. Under the Bill, organisations must have regard to the state of the art when maintaining the security of their network and information systems. That applies not only to cyber-defences, but to cyber-threats. The right hon. Member for Hertsmere mentioned agentic AI, and I am conscious that it will be a particular risk.”
“Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington (Matt Western) shared, such as the most common password in this country being “password”, and, indeed, the comments of my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Cheshire (Andrew Cooper) about Buffy the Vampire Slayer being an effective name deployed in some contexts. The combination of aggregate impacts and such personal experiences is the motivation for the Bill. National security is the first responsibility of any Government. Cyber-threats have grown and the previous Government failed to move fast enough in the light of that. This Government are acting robustly to ensure that the British public are secure. The big message is, “Let’s ditch legacy systems and platforms and move to a more secure future.” We have done that by ditching the Conservative party; it is time to do it across our economy.”
“First and foremost, I thank all Members for their contributions to the debate. I am glad that the House has welcomed the Bill, with deep expertise shown by Members on both sides of the House. Of course, Members have asked questions and I will try to share the Government’s approach. Before that, let me set out what is at stake. The UK is the most cyber-attacked country in Europe. In 2024, more than 600,000 businesses were subject to a cyber-attack, the average cost of which was just over £190,000. The cost of cyber-attacks to UK businesses in aggregate is estimated to be £14.7 billion a year. The personal experience of my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton South (Mike Reader) is on my mind, as well the facts that my hon.”
“Over the last decade and a half, the Conservative party in government sold this country’s strategic leverage over the primary sector, software and digital infrastructure. We will not repeat that mistake. We have already committed, right across the board, to extremely robust digital sovereignty measures. We have committed £500 million to a sovereign AI fund. We have made sure that there are tens of billions of pounds pouring into this country as capital infrastructure for AI, and British firms like Nscale are right at the heart of that. There is an advanced market commitment to cloud compute, to make sure that British companies are right at the heart of the provision of core infrastructure in future. Through the British Business Bank, we are committing tens of billions.”
“Friend the Member for Mid Cheshire about companies meeting the bar for designation. A point was made about the ability of small businesses to tell quickly whether they are in scope. The regulator will complete an investigation process, which will include giving notices and having consultations with relevant businesses, prior to confirming whether an organisation meets the criteria for being in scope. That process needs to be robust, but we hope to make sure that those regulatory processes are proportionate, too. I turn to a critical question from my hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes Central (Emily Darlington), my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East (Anneliese Dodds) and the hon. Member for Ceredigion Preseli (Ben Lake) on long-term sovereignty and capability in this country.”
“The Government’s new cyber governance code of practice focuses on the governance of cyber risk specifically, and we will consider using secondary legislation to require companies to clarify their cyber-security responsibilities at board level. A number of Members raised the issue of the effect on small and medium-sized businesses. Growth is the Government’s No. 1 mission, and small businesses are the engine room of that growth. They provide many of our most important services. That is exactly why small and, particularly, micro-sized managed or digital services are exempt from regulation under this Bill. They can be regulated only if they are designated as critical suppliers, and there will be an extremely high bar for designation. That should answer the question from my hon.”
“A single attack can disrupt hospitals, transport and vital services, putting lives at risk, and we will not gamble with our economy or our people’s safety. The cost of doing nothing is, of course, too great. As I have mentioned, cyber-attacks drain almost £15 billion a year from UK businesses. At the same time, this Bill takes a proportionate approach to ensuring the safety of British people. Board-level responsibility was brought up by a number of Members from across the House. I simply say that all business leaders need to take responsibility for their organisation’s cyber-resilience. On 13 October last year, the Government wrote to chief executives, requesting that they make cyber-security a board-level responsibility.”
“The threats are of course growing, but the regulatory approach taken by the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Bank of England were some of the sources for the approach we have taken in this Bill. Regulatory overlap was mentioned; this Government will make sure that businesses that have to navigate multiple regulatory frameworks with multiple services will face minimal burdens. We will work with our regulators and international authorities, including those in the EU, on the implementation of the Bill. Turning to the impact on business, and the Bill ensuring a proportional approach to security, the Government will regulate only when that is necessary to protect our economy and our country from serious harm.”
“With the exception of data centres, reportable incidents that affect operators of essential services would need to have affected the operation of significant network and information systems right across the entity, and to have a significant national security impact. [ Official Report , 29 January 2026; Vol. 779, c. 10WC.] (Correction) That is extremely unlikely to include minor matters, such as the receipt of a phishing email. The Chair of the Treasury Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Hackney South and Shoreditch (Dame Meg Hillier), made a point about financial services organisations, and I respond simply by flagging that UK financial services are resilient against cyber-threats.”
“We have set out a sectoral approach, but that does not preclude the Secretary of State from setting out, in a statement of strategic priorities, the possibility of co-ordination and information sharing across regulators. In response to the points made by the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the hon. Member for Harpenden and Berkhamsted, as well as the hon. Member for Exmouth and Exeter East, about making sure that incident thresholds are clear and proportionate, the 24-hour light-touch notification requirement is proportionate. All that is needed is information alerting the regulator and the National Cyber Security Centre to the nature of the incident; the system does not rely on over-regulation.”
“Friends the Members for Warwick and Leamington, and for Mid Cheshire, about the possibility of a cross-sectoral cyber regulation approach, I flag that 12 regulators are responsible for enforcing this regime, because different sectors rely on different technologies, and have very different risk attitudes and responses to vulnerabilities. It is right that we use sector expertise to address sector-specific issues. The hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Alison Griffiths) made an appropriate point about enterprise IT and operational technology being differentiated. That is why we have used a sectoral lens; it is a very tractable way of differentiating the risk factors.”
“The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology will monitor and evaluate the new framework in reviewing the effectiveness of the regime. The Bill requires the Secretary of State to lay before Parliament a report on the operation of certain NIS legislation, and to publish one at least every five years. It will be an extensive review, so we want to make sure that it is proportionate, rather than overly frequent. The commitments made by the Secretary of State to the Chair relate primarily to the Bill. In response to the points made by my hon.”
“The shadow Secretary of State talked about regulators not finding enough incidents, and about them finding too many, but I will let her work out the obvious contradiction in her position. I say in response to the right hon. Member for Hertsmere that there is clear scope for AI capability to be used in triage. I very much hope that the reviews that the Secretary of State must undertake—they are embedded in the Bill’s requirements—will ensure that we look at efficient ways that regulators can do that. The Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West, made a point about the frequency and quality of the reviews of the regime in this Bill.”
“Members from right across the House that our proposals for security and resilience requirements are being prepared for secondary legislation. They will align with the NCSC’s cyber assessment framework, which relates to effective response and recovery. A consultation is likely in the year ahead. There were a series of questions and comments about regulators, and proportionate and effective regulation. The Bill allows regulators to make sure that they are well resourced to carry out their duties, and can charge reasonable fees to cover more of the cost of their activities under the regime. It will enhance the regulators’ impact by ensuring clearer information gateways and increased incident reporting, and establishes a unified set of objectives.”
“The plan takes decisive action and holds Government Departments accountable for their cyber-security and resilience, as well as providing them with more direct support and services, and co-ordinating responses to fast-moving incidents. I will take up the point made by the right hon. Member for New Forest East (Sir Julian Lewis) about the juiciness of local government digital provision. I share his enthusiasm. The Government’s cyber action plan takes into account wider Government and public sector coverage. In fact, it strengthens, clarifies and joins up how lead Government Departments hold the wider public sector, including local government, to account for improved and equivalent cyber-resilience. I will make an observation about the points raised about not just reporting and assessment, but recovery and resilience. I flag to hon.”
“I highlight in particular the fact that the Government have written to UK businesses and trade bodies across sectors to make sure that they are embedding cyber essentials across their supply chains, that they are making cyber-resilience a board-level priority, and that the NCSC’s early warning system and advice is heeded. Both Conservative Front Benchers, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the hon. Member for Harpenden and Berkhamsted (Victoria Collins), and my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton spoke about coverage of the public sector. The public sector requires a significant step change in cyber and digital resilience. As has been mentioned numerous times, today we have published the Government’s cyber action plan, backed by £210 million of investment.”
“Where sectors are covered by existing regulations, and where the Government do not consider it essential to regulate a sector through the Bill, we have taken a proportionate approach. Introducing blanket coverage for whole new sectors would create extensive regulatory burdens for more of our economy, stifling economic growth. At the same time, this Bill will enable the Government to bring more sectors into scope in the future, and to take swift action if national security is at risk. The Bill sits alongside a series of actions that the Government have taken.”
“I might just make a bit of progress. My hon. Friend the Member for Warwick and Leamington mentioned the food sector and food retailers, given recent attacks. Following the attacks on Marks & Spencer and Harrods, my hon. Friend the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs has written to and engaged deeply with the chief executive officers of major food retailers to advise on how the food sector can best protect itself from cyber-threats. There is a broader question about sectors that are not regulated by this Bill, which has been raised by numerous Members from across the House. The fact that a sector is not regulated under the Bill does not mean that organisations in it cannot protect themselves against cyber-attacks. As I said, the Bill is not designed to cover every sector.”
“52(1)( a )), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill, it is expedient to authorise: (1) the imposition of charges under or by virtue of the Act; and (2) the payment of sums into the Consolidated Fund.— (Jade Botterill.) Question agreed to. Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill (Carry-over) Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 80A(1)(a)), That if, at the conclusion of this Session of Parliament, proceedings on the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill have not been completed, they shall be resumed in the next Session.— ( Jade Botterill .) Question agreed to.”
“Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 52(1)( a )), That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill, it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of: (1) any expenditure incurred under or by virtue of the Act by the Secretary of State or another public authority, and 2) any increase attributable to the Act in the sums payable under or by virtue of any other Act out of money so provided. —( Jade Botterill.) Question agreed to. Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill (Ways and Means) Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No.”
“(3) The Public Bill Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it meets. Consideration and Third Reading (4) Proceedings on Consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion one hour before the moment of interruption on the day on which those proceedings are commenced. (5) Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at the moment of interruption on that day. (6) Standing Order No. 83B (Programming committees) shall not apply to proceedings on Consideration and Third Reading. Other proceedings (7) Any other proceedings on the Bill may be programmed.— (Jade Botterill.) Question agreed to. Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill (Money) King’s recommendation signified.”
“To all rogue organisations with hackers at the helm—I do not just mean the Conservative party—I say this: your time is up. With this Bill, we will make sure that the British public are secure. Question put and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill: Programme Motion made, and Question put forthwith (Standing Order No. 83A( 7 )), That the following provisions shall apply to the Cyber Security and Resilience (Network and Information Systems) Bill: Committal (1) The Bill shall be committed to a Public Bill Committee. Proceedings in Public Bill Committee (2) Proceedings in the Public Bill Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 5 March 2026.”
“The “whole society” approach was mentioned by a number of right hon. and hon. Members. We are making a series of investments in skills to ensure that young people are inspired to pursue careers in cyber-security. On the points made by my hon. Friends the Members for South East Cornwall (Anna Gelderd), and for Portsmouth North (Amanda Martin), I am deeply passionate about ensuring that young people—young women and girls, in particular—in their areas, Wales and across the country pursue thriving careers in cyber-security. National security is the first responsibility of this Government. The Bill could not be more necessary for confronting developments in global cyber-threat. I thank all right hon. and hon. Members for their engagement with the Bill as it progresses. I encourage them to engage deeply.”
“I point the hon. Member to a thriving compound semiconductor cluster in south Wales, as well as chip manufacturing companies. If he doubts how advanced Arm is—the primary chip design company in the world—I would advise him to read a primer on the chip company supply chain. The Government are pursuing a clear sense of digital sovereignty. On China, I flag that we are taking stronger action to protect our national security, including our critical national infrastructure, as well as making sure that, where appropriate, we look for opportunities for co-operation. The national security strategy, the independent review of state threat legislation and our new powers on counter-terrorism will make sure that we do that. I am conscious that I am testing your patience, Madam Deputy Speaker, so I will simply flag a final point.”
“Online content depicting or promoting animal torture is horrific and—let me be clear—unacceptable. Under the Online Safety Act 2023, animal cruelty is a priority offence, which needs proactive steps from platforms to counter it. We will keep the pressure on to enforce that.”
“May I first pay tribute to my hon. Friend—and indeed her cats Clement Cattlee and Mo Meowlam—for being right at the vanguard of campaigning on this serious issue. Animal cruelty is a priority offence in the law, as I mentioned, and Ofcom must enforce it and platforms must act on it. The Government will keep the pressure on, as we have done in our engagements with the platforms, to ensure that our cats—our animals—are safe from cruelty.”
“I thank the hon. Member for an apt question on this theme. As I mentioned, animal cruelty is a priority offence under the law. Platforms must take proactive steps, including to assess risk before it pertains and to remove content where it clearly falls foul of the law. The Government will keep making sure that enforcement through the regulator and via platforms continues at pace.”
“Online harassment has no place in our society. Under the Online Safety Act, platforms must take steps to remove illegal content. These duties apply to abuse, to harassment, to threats and hate crimes, and to disinformation and misinformation that amounts to illegal content. What is more, the Government have already written to Ofcom to accelerate the final phase of implementation of the Online Safety Act. We will continue to ensure that we are empowering users against harassment.”
“I thank my hon. Friend and pay tribute to Debbie, the mother of Jay Slater, who has had to deal not just with the tragedy of her son’s death, but with all the subsequent harassment that she, family and friends have experienced. After I met my hon. Friend and Debbie, I raised the issue with the platforms. I know that the Secretary of State will meet bereaved families in the new year as well. I am keen to continue our engagement to make sure that we support victims and work hard to ensure that no other bereaved families face what Debbie and Jay’s family have had to face.”
“I thank the hon. Member for raising a very important point. The Online Safety Act 2023 already focuses on areas of illegal content, in particular to keep young people safe under the child safety duties. If there are particular instances that the hon. Member wishes to write to me about, I will be happy to raise them. Notwithstanding the fact that Ofcom continues to be the regulator, we are keeping the pressure on both Ofcom and platforms to act robustly.”
“While love might be in the air at this festive moment, we want to make sure that it is financially responsible. In that spirit, therefore, I will continue to engage with both the regulator and platforms to ensure that the existing provisions of the Online Safety Act are robustly enforced when it comes to online fraud and scams, which so many of us experience both directly and indirectly through our constituents.”
“Members for Dewsbury and Batley, for Winchester (Dr Chambers) and for Strangford, and by my hon. Friend the Member for York Outer (Mr Charters) on health advice, and how we can ensure that the quality of NHS advice is privileged in wider AI chatbot engagement, as well as the points made by my hon. Friend the Member for Congleton and my right hon. Friend the Member for Oxford East on British Sign Language standards in AI, which are important points that I will look further at. To conclude, the UK is realising the opportunities for transformative AI while ensuring that growth does not come at the cost of security and safety. We do this through stimulating AI safety assurance markets, empowering our regulators and ensuring our laws are fit for purpose, driving change through AISI and diplomacy.”