12 Feb
Question
Improving Access to Public Services

The Question session in the House of Commons, titled 'Improving Access to Public Services,' primarily focused on advancing digital solutions and data accessibility to enhance public service delivery in the UK. Patrick Hurley from Labour raised queries about leveraging technology for better public access and the complexities surrounding postal address data. Peter Kyle responded by highlighting ongoing governmental initiatives such as the Government Digital Service and the Data (Use and Access) Bill aimed at improving data usability.

Government Digital Service implemented in June 2023

Digital cohort initiative to enhance public access to services.

Data (Use and Access) Bill Second Reading

Legislation aimed at improving data sharing and access across sectors.

Sir Oliver Dowden questioned collaborations involving AI's potential in public service efficiency, while Chi Onwurah steered the conversation towards ethical AI usage, referencing the recent Paris AI summit. Jim Shannon spotlighted the challenges in booking GP appointments, urging for digital solutions, while Ben Spencer questioned the reliance on big cloud service providers amid regulatory scrutiny. Overall, the exchanges illuminated ongoing legislative measures and framed concerns regarding data accessibility, AI ethics, and infrastructure.

Post-privatization of Royal Mail in 2014

The complexity of address data access raised due to ownership changes.

Outcome

The session concluded with a reinforced government commitment to digital transformation across public services, emphasizing new policies in data access, the introduction of digital apps and services, and AI infrastructure investment for future growth. The dialogue underscored the scope and scale of digital initiatives intended to streamline service delivery while ensuring responsible AI usage.

Key Contributions

Patrick Hurley
Labour

Questioned digital avenues for improving access to public services.

Peter Kyle

Assured the existence of a swift digital center aiding service delivery.

Sir Oliver DowdenConservative
Conservative

Inquired about AI's role in service delivery efficiency and departmental discussions with international counterparts.

Chi OnwurahChair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Labour

Challenged the Government's decision not to sign the Paris AI summit declaration, seeking elaboration on global governance concerns.

Jim Shannon
DUP

Voiced constituent frustrations on GP appointment booking issues, suggesting digital solutions for immediate access.

Dr Ben SpencerShadow Minister
Conservative

Asked about strategic decisions regarding Government's reliance on major cloud service providers amidst regulatory investigations.

Original Transcript
Patrick Hurley
Southport
Lab
Question
UIN: 902714

1. What steps his Department is taking to use technology to improve access to public services.

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Peter Kyle

I congratulate my hon. Friend on getting on the Order Paper twice today—it would be a good day for him to buy a lottery ticket. I can assure him that the new digital centre exists to serve Departments and the wider public sector.

The Government Digital Service enables Departments to deliver digital public services that work for everyone.

Patrick Hurley

Good public services are dependent on reliable and easily accessible and available underlying data, such as postal addresses. However, address data is complex and expensive for UK businesses to access.

Given the importance of that data to public service delivery and economic growth, will the Minister commit to reviewing the terms under which UK address data is made available to support growth?

Peter Kyle

My hon. Friend raises an important point. Following the privatisation of Royal Mail in 2014, the postcode address file—the definitive list of UK postal addresses—became a privately owned data asset.

He will know that this afternoon we have the Second Reading of the Data (Use and Access) Bill, which will be a great step forward for the use of data in the public and private sectors.

He will also know that we have committed to creating a national data library, which will use data in a radically new way for the benefit of the country and public sector users.

Sir Oliver Dowden
Hertsmere
Con

I am sure that the Secretary of State will agree that people want their public services delivered efficiently and effectively.

To that end, what discussions have he and his Department had with the Department of Government Efficiency and Elon Musk in the United States about how we can harness the power of artificial intelligence to deliver better services, and scrutinise Government spending and datasets, to eliminate waste and inefficiency?

Peter Kyle

I think the right hon. Gentleman has been asleep at the wheel since the election—not just when he was in government. Our Government have brought in the Regulatory Innovation Office, which is now up and running and piloting four areas to get innovation through the regulatory landscape without delay.

Our Government have brought in the gov.uk app, which will be delivered in June, as well as the digital wallet and the digital driving licence, and a suite of productivity services are already being deployed in the public sector. His Government did none of those things. We are doing them now.

Mr Speaker

I call the Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee.

Chi Onwurah
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Lab

The Government’s determination to embrace AI to transform public services and pull through procurement opportunities for British businesses is very welcome, but many public service users and others may have been concerned by the Government’s failure to sign the Paris AI summit declaration, which sought to ensure that AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure and trustworthy.

A Government spokesperson said that there were concerns about progress on global governance and national security. Will the Secretary of State elaborate on that?

Peter Kyle

I am grateful to my hon. Friend the Chair of the Select Committee, who raises an important point.

Let us focus on what we did achieve in Paris: we signed this week the joint coalition for sustainable AI, which is to be launched this summer; we joined the initial group of countries and multilateral organisations kicking off the collaborative network of AI observatories on work; we co-sealed the statement on cyber-security with France—that also launched this week; and we signed a statement on AI and gender, as part of the global partnership for action on gender-based online harassment and abuse.

A lot was achieved this week, but we will always put the national interest first. The House will know full well that this Government will always put national security first—an issue that we wanted to raise at the summit, and which prevented us from signing the overall agreement.

Jim Shannon
Strangford
DUP

When it comes to public services, one thing that bugs me, and bugs our constituents, is the difficulty of accessing GP appointments, let alone having to call at half-past 8 in the morning.

What progress is being made in allowing patients to book GP appointments online, so that they are not forced to wait on the phone every morning to see a doctor when they need an appointment right away?

Peter Kyle

As always, I am grateful for the exchanges that the hon. Gentleman and I have in this House, which are always constructive.

That issue is part of the legacy that we have inherited from the failed Tory Government of over 14 years, but I assure him that the Data (Use and Access) Bill, which has its Second Reading today, will force different parts of the NHS to finally start communicating with themselves and using interoperable data in the interests of patients.

Mr Speaker

I call the shadow Minister.

Peter Kyle

Obviously, I cannot comment on the CMA, which is an independent regulator.

I can, however, say that this Government, via the AI opportunities action plan, have committed to fully investing in AI infrastructure so that we can have a sovereign AI infrastructure here, with data stored here and processed here, creating jobs and wealth in this country.

All content derived from official parliamentary records