EU Digital Services Act and Regulation

Baroness Gill Excerpts

Wednesday 11th March 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Gill]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with the European Union in relation to (1) alignment with the EU Digital Services Act, and (2) greater co-operation on digital services regulation.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business and Trade and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (Baroness Lloyd of Effra) (Lab)]

The Government regularly engage with the EU on digital policy, including direct discussions on the Digital Services Act, which like the UK’s Online Safety Act requires companies to take proportionate steps to protect users online. While the UK has taken its own regulatory approach, we co-operate with the EU where it supports UK citizens and businesses. The new EU-UK digital dialogue will deepen co-operation on shared challenges, including AI and online child safety.

[Baroness Gill (Lab)]

I thank the Minister for her response. There would be several economic, regulatory and strategic benefits if the UK were to be part of the EU’s Digital Services Act. Scale matters when it comes to dealing with the powerful global tech companies, and it is quite clear from the US’s AI action plan that it will not limit their powers. The DSA is likely to become a global standard, like GDPR, so can the Minister confirm that this Government will include it as a matter of urgency on the agenda of ongoing reset discussions with the EU, with a view to becoming a member?