AI has advanced rapidly in recent years, supported by major improvements in computing power, data availability and the emergence of large language models (LLMs). This has enabled AI to perform an expanding range of tasks.

AI adoption has increased, but uptake remains uneven. As adoption accelerates, AI is expected to have significant impacts on UK business and the UK workforce, reshaping work. It will prove a growth industry in itself, enhance productivity, disrupt existing industries and business models, cost jobs, and create jobs.

The Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan includes a twentyfold expansion of public AI hardware by 2030 and seeks to leverage private investment through initiatives such as the US–UK Tech Prosperity Deal (with £30 billion committed by major technology firms).

In their new inquiry, MPs will explore how growing AI use might accelerate the need for data centres and whether planning authorities will take account of their impact on the environment. They will also consider how new technologies could minimise their environmental impact and what lessons the UK could learn from other countries. Amongst the issues the Environmental Audit Committee’s new inquiry will examine will be how much energy and water data centres are likely to use, and how this could impact the Government’s net zero goals.

Read the call for evidence for more information about this inquiry, and to find out how to submit written evidence through the Committee's online evidence submission portal.

The deadline for receiving written submissions is Friday 10 April at 23.59

Terms of Reference

The Committee will aim to clarify the precise nature of the economic relationship between the UK and China, setting out the risks involved and determining the relative level of risk for different areas of economic engagement. It will assess the way Government weighs trade-offs and makes decisions, the effectiveness of the its existing regulatory toolkit and implementation. Finally, it will explore how the UK’s allies and partners are mitigating these risks, the lessons that the UK could draw, and the ways in which the UK and its allies might strengthen co-operation to address the economic security challenges posed by China.

The Government has identified critical minerals as one of the UK’s “foundational sectors”, which support the resilience of the IS‑8 sectors. It has published a new critical minerals strategy, the third in four years. The strategy sets two core objectives: increase domestic production, and build resilient UK and global supply networks. For the first time, the Government has set targets for domestic production, recycling, and diversification of supply chains.

The Business and Trade Sub‑Committee on Economic Security, Arms and Export Controls is launching an inquiry to consider how domestic production and trade can support a secure supply of critical minerals for UK industry, and assess the likely impact of the proposals set out in the Government’s strategy.

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The review of the BBC Charter, which sets out how the broadcaster is governed, regulated and funded, takes place about every ten years. The current process started with the launch of the Government’s consultation in December. 

To help shape the next Charter, which is due to come into effect at the start of 2028, the Committee is now launching an inquiry on the future purpose, governance and funding of the corporation ahead of making its recommendations to the Government. 

This inquiry will examine the health of electoral democracy in the UK today, in light of the decline in voter turnout in recent elections and diminishing voter trust in democratic institutions. We will scrutinise the potential effectiveness of the Government’s proposals for increasing democratic engagement, including its reforms to the voting age and the move towards automated systems of voter registration. We will also consider best practice for implementation of these changes.

The Government have commissioned an independent review, led by Philip Rycroft, into foreign financial interference in UK politics. Our inquiry will also consider this issue and the outcome of that review. The Government have said that the measures in the Representation of the People Bill “will mean foreign actors will no longer be able to use their money to interfere in the UK’s elections.” Our inquiry will assess whether these changes will be effective in closing existing loopholes in the rules governing foreign political donations and whether further reforms are needed.

Large majorities of voters reported seeing some kind of misinformation on social media at the last general election and do not believe that the enough is being done to tackle this. Our inquiry will also take evidence on what more can be done to reduce voters’ exposure to mis- and disinformation.

Relative low income (after housing costs) is a widely used measure of child poverty, and is based on how much income each household has after deducting taxes paid and their housing costs. It is adjusted for the number and ages of people in the household to account for different levels of need across households. 

This inquiry seeks to understand how the UK and Welsh governments work together towards ending child poverty, and examine what barriers might prevent Wales from realising the ambitions set out in the UK Government's child poverty strategy.

Read the call for evidence for more details about the inquiry.

It will consider coaching, sports science, officiating as referees and umpires, roles in club administration and sports governance, plus access to sports journalism and broadcasting. The inquiry will explore access from grassroots level and pathways to professional and elite careers.