Asked by: Chloe Smith (Conservative - Norwich North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, with reference to Q808 of the oral evidence given by the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee on 13 December 2023, HC 38, whether he has plans to undertake a review of electoral regulation.
Answered by Simon Hoare
The Electoral Commission does not have a role in regulating the use of artificial intelligence in campaigning nor does it have a role in regulating political debate. The AI Regulation White Paper, published in March 2023, set out our first steps towards establishing a regulatory framework for AI. Since then, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology have been setting up central risk assessment and monitoring activities and working with regulators to ensure they are responding to AI risks within their remits.
Digitally manipulated content can pose a severe threat to democratic processes, so we take this very seriously. We are working extensively across Government and in the Defending Democracy Taskforce to ensure we are ready to respond to any threats to our democratic processes. The Government keeps the regulatory framework under review and remains committed to ensuring elections are secure and fit for the modern age.
Asked by: Chloe Smith (Conservative - Norwich North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, if he will take steps to make water companies statutory consultees in medium and large scale planning applications.
Answered by Lee Rowley
The Government has made a commitment, as part of its reform package under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill (now the Act) to consult on whether or not we should make water companies statutory consultees on certain planning applications, and if so, how best to do this. It will be important that water companies engage local planning authorities on their applications at the right time so they can input effectively and not slow down the application process.
Asked by: Chloe Smith (Conservative - Norwich North)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he is taking steps with (a) the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and (b) other Cabinet colleagues to amend the National Planning Policy Framework to include regulations for a new infrastructure levy to ensure the provision of adequate (i) GP and (ii) dental provision in new housing developments.
Answered by Lee Rowley
The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act introduces powers to create the new Infrastructure Levy which aims to generate more funding for infrastructure, such as GP surgeries, to mitigate the impacts of new development.
The Act includes provisions to require local authorities to prepare Infrastructure Delivery Strategies which will set out the strategy for delivering infrastructure and spending Levy proceeds. The Act also enables authorities to require the assistance of infrastructure providers, including Integrated Care Bodies, in devising these strategies and development plans.
We have committed to consult further on the design of the Levy, before we draft regulations.