Asked by: Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential for artificial intelligence to support national efforts to reduce loneliness; and what steps they are taking, if any, to develop or pilot artificial intelligence enabled interventions as part of their loneliness strategy.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Whilst there are currently no plans to use artificial intelligence in our efforts to reduce loneliness, the Government recognises the importance of using innovative approaches to address this issue.
The Government welcomes research and evidence on how artificial intelligence may be harnessed to safely support positive social connections. The government-funded Tackling Loneliness Hub recently published this blog on health innovation and the role of AI in strengthening social connection, and hosts a range of events for members to learn about novel approaches to addressing loneliness.
Our ambition to strengthen positive social connections and tackle loneliness is a key part of achieving wider government objectives to create a healthier society and more connected communities across all demographics. My department has been working hard to ensure social connection and loneliness are embedded across government policy making, including the recently published Pride in Place strategy, Men’s Health Strategy and National Youth Strategy.
Asked by: Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a mobile national digital technology support force, in partnership with local authorities and the private sector, to assist those who struggle with digital technology, including (1) the elderly, and (2) economically and socially disadvantaged groups.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
The Government recognises that, although we live in an increasingly online world, a significant part of the population remains digitally excluded. There are currently no plans to establish a national digital technology support force. There are, however, a number of initiatives that tackle the digital divide in partnership with local authorities and the private sector.
In 2017 the Digital Skills Partnership was established by DCMS to bring together the public, private and third sector to improve digital skills across the spectrum. We have worked closely with Local Enterprise Partnerships and Combined Authorities to establish Local Digital Skills Partnerships in seven regions. These bring together key regional stakeholders to address local digital skills challenges.
The introduction of the Digital Entitlement means that from August 2020, adults with no or low digital skills can undertake new digital qualifications free of charge. The Government also supports the Future Digital Inclusion Programme. Since 2014, the programme has helped over 1.4 million people to gain the digital skills they need for life and work.
Asked by: Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent meetings they have had with yoga practitioners, or representatives of yoga practitioners; and what action they are taking as a result of those meetings.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
Government wants to encourage everyone to get physically active in a way that they enjoy, something we set out in our Sporting Future sport and physical activity strategy. As part of their roles the Secretary of State and Minister for Sport meet with the national governing bodies for sport and physical activity on a periodic and ongoing basis. Ministers continue to work with them to ensure that the government's Sporting Future strategy is implemented effectively and that grassroots participation is supported.
National governing bodies are also in regular contact with Sport England, the government arm’s length body responsible for investing in and supporting grassroots sport and physical activity. Yoga clubs and associations are eligible to apply to Sport England for funding and are encouraged to consider this as an option to help increase participation.
Asked by: Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they estimate the consultation conducted by Ofcom on the proposal for a watershed on advertising foods with high fat, salt and sugar content will be (1) completed, and (2) published.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
In the second chapter of the Government's Childhood Obesity Plan, the Government committed to consult on introducing a 9pm watershed on TV advertising of HFSS products and similar protection for children viewing adverts online - with the aim of reducing children’s exposure to HFSS advertising, and incentivising sugar and calorie reduction. We will be publishing the consultation at the earliest opportunity.
As far as we are aware, Ofcom has no current plans for any equivalent consultation.