Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if the Government will publish a full register of the algorithms currently being used in the provision of public services throughout Government by each Government department.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government’s Data Ethics Framework and ‘Guide to Using AI in the Public Sector’, alongside other guidance are available on GOV.UK, to support ethical and safe use of algorithms in the public sector. Building on existing work on algorithmic and data ethics, the Government is now seeking to deliver more transparency on the use of algorithmic-assisted decision making within the public sector; and is working with leading organisations in the field of data and AI ethics on a proposed approach to algorithmic transparency.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, who is responsible for monitoring or overseeing the use of algorithms used in the provision of public services by the Government.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government’s Data Ethics Framework and ‘Guide to Using AI in the Public Sector’, alongside other guidance are available on GOV.UK, to support ethical and safe use of algorithms in the public sector. Building on existing work on algorithmic and data ethics, the Government is now seeking to deliver more transparency on the use of algorithmic-assisted decision making within the public sector; and is working with leading organisations in the field of data and AI ethics on a proposed approach to algorithmic transparency.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much funding his Department has allocated to (a) digital skills and (b) cyber skills; and to whom that funding has been allocated.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Government Digital Service (GDS) leads the Government’s Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) function. The GDS Academy provides training.
Regarding cyber skills, I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQs 53531 and 52225 on 09 June 2020. Details of funding are published in the Cabinet Office annual reports.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 29 June 2020 to Question 64182 on UK Trade with EU, for what reason he did not answer the question of whether his Department holds any economic modelling of the potential effect of (a) a trade deal with the EU and (b) WTO rules trade with the EU on (i) the North East and (ii) the UK.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
As the Government has previously stated, it is difficult for a single model or scenario to capture the varying impacts that will be felt across different parts of the economy. We want to stimulate and capture the widest possible range of analysis from economists and academics to businesses and civil society groups. As such, the Government intends to invite contributions in due course about the economic implications of the future relationship.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2020 to Question 59762, whether the Government holds any economic modelling of the potential effect of (a) a trade deal with the EU and (b) WTO rules trade with the EU on (i) the North East and (ii) the UK.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
I refer the Hon. member to the answer given to PQ 59762 on 23 June 2020.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to his oral response to the hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne Central on 16 June 2020, if he will publish the economic modelling on the effect on the North East economy in the event that a free trade agreement is not secured with the EU.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
The economic impacts of our trade deal with the EU are already the subject of a thriving public debate.
A Written Ministerial Statement (HCWS271) made by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on 8 June updated on the progress of negotiations.
We will continue to keep Parliament informed with appropriate analysis at appropriate times.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2020 to Question 1979, how much funding from the public purse has been provided to initiatives such as Don’t Feed The Beat that seek to reduce misinformation online in the last two years.
Answered by Chloe Smith
This Government has invested £1.68m in communications initiatives to counter disinformation since March 2018. These initiatives include the RESIST toolkit which helps public organisations respond to disinformation campaigns, and the 'Don’t Feed the Beast' behaviour change campaign to educate and empower those who see, inadvertently share and are affected by false and misleading information.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much the Government has spent on Facebook adverts on (a) the UK leaving the EU and (b) covid-19 in the latest 12 months for which figures are available.
Answered by Chloe Smith
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to PQ 33512 on 21 April 2020.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many EU workers are employed in the telecommunications sector.
Answered by Chloe Smith
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.
Asked by: Chi Onwurah (Labour - Newcastle upon Tyne Central)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, what use (a) the Government and (b) local government is making of emergency messaging on mobile phones during the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Penny Mordaunt - Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
National and local governments are using messaging to mobile phones as part of its COVID-19 communications campaign to ensure people across the UK continue to adhere to the guidance to 'stay at home, protect the NHS, and save lives.' This has included the Government sending a message to all mobile phone users to highlight the new rules in force. Local health providers, such as GP surgeries, are also using mobile messaging to advise people of revised ways to access health care services.