Tech Push Dominates; PM Apologises, Opposition Defeated Twice

High-Level Summary

The Commons day combined Science, Innovation and Technology questions, Prime Minister’s Questions, two Opposition Day debates on fuel duty and student loans, and an adjournment debate on rural flooding. Ministers outlined broadband rollout plans, online safety parity, AI growth zones and skills, and UKRI funding. At PMQs, questions ranged from the Mandelson appointment and Iran policy to hospice funding, heating oil support and justice proposals. A Ten Minute Rule Bill on menstrual and gynaecological health received leave; Government amendments defeated the Opposition’s motions on fuel duty and on student loans.

Detailed Summary

Science, Innovation and Technology: Rural broadband

Ian Murray said the Government aims for “gigabit-capable connections… to 99% of UK premises by 2032 through, for instance, Project Gigabit”. He offered meetings with Building Digital UK to address constituency issues and noted alternatives for the hardest‑to‑reach areas, including “wireless solutions, fixed‑wireless access and, indeed, satellite broadband”. On resilience, he said the UK is a shareholder in Eutelsat/OneWeb and has asked for proposals “to ensure that we have that resilience here in the UK”. He added Project Gigabit can adapt if a supplier exits.

Science, Innovation and Technology: Pornography regulation and online safety

Kanishka Narayan reiterated the objective of parity—“making illegal online that which is illegal offline”—and said a cross‑Government unit would deliver the plan “within six months”. He pointed to age‑assurance mandates for pornography sites and a national consultation to consider further reforms.

Science, Innovation and Technology: AI growth zones and skills

Liz Kendall said five AI growth zones have been launched, “creating 15,000 jobs and unlocking £40 billion of investment”, with an east midlands bid under active consideration. She added the Government is “upskilling 10 million workers with free AI skills”, introducing a practical AI and automation apprenticeship, and delivering a £27 million TechLocal programme.

Science, Innovation and Technology: Social media and children

The Secretary of State reported over 25,000 responses to a national consultation designed for children and young people, including targeted outreach to those with special educational needs and disabilities and children in care. She outlined youth‑led engagement across the UK and pilots such as “overnight curfews and daily screentime limits” to assess practical impacts, and acknowledged concerns about a “cliff edge” if a ban were pursued.

Science, Innovation and Technology: UKRI, STFC and sovereign AI (Topical questions)

Liz Kendall highlighted “a record £38 billion for UK Research and Innovation, including £14 billion for curiosity-led research”, and a plan to buy usable, large‑scale quantum computers backed by £2 billion. On the Science and Technology Facilities Council, she said its budget is flat over the spending review, with historic overspends to be addressed and close engagement with the physics community. She later added the STFC budget is “rising slightly, but is flat over the spending review period because of the impact of inflation”. On sovereign AI, she cited “£500 million backing our new sovereign AI unit and £1 billion of free compute”. In Topical Questions, she listed recent action against intimate image abuse and deepfakes, saying such images are now “taken down within 48 hours”, and announced a report and impact assessment under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 with “no longer a preferred option” and further work on digital replicas and labelling AI‑generated content. Kanishka Narayan said of the West Burton fusion site: “Construction will be on its way by the end of the decade”.

Prime Minister’s Questions (Engagements)

The Prime Minister opened with condolences following a meningitis B outbreak and reaffirmed support for Ukraine. On heating oil he cited “£53 million” in support, “particularly important for rural communities and for Northern Ireland”.

In exchanges on the Mandelson appointment, he said: “It was my mistake in making the appointment. I have apologised to the victims of Epstein”, adding the independent adviser said “the relevant process for a political appointee was followed”. On Iran, he restated, “we will not be drawn into the wider war”. Other topics included hospice funding—“We support the work of hospices”—Ofcom’s role on broadcasters, tackling online misogyny and deepfakes, reforms to the vaccine damage payment scheme, mobile phone theft and potential ‘kill switch’ steps, sovereign AI procurement and UK firms, NHS performance claims, jury trial changes—“We are not abolishing jury trials… After these changes, it will be 2.25%”—farming profitability, HS2 reset, rail station accessibility via devolved funding, and urging Travelodge to meet MPs on safeguarding.

Points of Order

Members queried the relevance of PMQs answers. The Speaker replied “that is not a point of order”, and emphasised tolerance and mutual respect in debate.

Ten Minute Rule Bill: Menstrual and Gynaecological Health

Abena Oppong‑Asare sought leave to bring in a Bill on education, training and public understanding of menstrual and gynaecological health, including tackling online misinformation and racial discrimination. Citing stigma—“Stigma around menstruation… is a barrier to discussion of reproductive ill health”—she highlighted delayed diagnoses and workplace and clinical needs. The House granted leave—“Question put and agreed to”—and the Bill was read a First time, to be read a Second time on Friday 17 April (Bill 409).

Opposition Day: Fuel Duty

Richard Holden moved to maintain the 5p per litre duty cut beyond September 2026 and oppose staged increases, calling rises regressive and inflationary, especially in rural areas. He described planned rises as “1p in September… 2p in December, and 2p in March”, and said taxes comprise about 55% of pump prices.

Replying for the Government, Torsten Bell said the Autumn Budget extended the 5p cut for five months and cancelled the inflation‑linked increase for 2026‑27, saving the average motorist “over £90”. He highlighted Fuel Finder and CMA vigilance, said “fuel duty will be frozen until the end of August this year”, pledged to keep duty “under close review”, and announced £53 million targeted support for vulnerable heating‑oil users. The Opposition motion was defeated (Ayes 103, Noes 259); the Government amendment was agreed and the House resolved to note the extended cut, Fuel Finder and CMA work, and that de‑escalation in the Middle East is key to keeping prices down.

Deferred Divisions announced

The Chair announced approval of the Employment Rights Act 2025 (Investigatory Powers) Regulations 2026 (Ayes 368, Noes 107) and the Higher Education (Fee Limits and Fee Limit Condition) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (Ayes 277, Noes 98).

Opposition debate: Student loans

Laura Trott proposed capping Plan 2 loan interest at RPI‑only, ending the repayment‑threshold freeze, and funding more apprenticeships by limiting places on courses with poor returns. Urging support, she said if Members think the system is broken, “vote for our motion”, arguing for an end to interest above inflation and action on ‘dead‑end’ degrees.

Georgia Gould said Plan 2 was devised in 2012, confirmed the threshold will rise “to £29,385 this year”, and announced reintroduction of “targeted, means‑tested maintenance grants of up to £1,000 a year” from 2028‑29, alongside linking future fee rises to quality, the Youth Guarantee and a target for “two thirds of young people to achieve higher level skills by the age of 25”. The motion was defeated (Ayes 88, Noes 266) and the Government amendment was agreed, endorsing its approach including maintenance grants and the skills target.

Delegated Legislation (agreed without division)

The House approved: the Armed Forces Commissioner (Family Definition, and Consequential and Transitional Provision etc.) Regulations 2026; the Grants to the Churches Conservation Trust Order 2026; the Tertiary Education and Research (Wales) Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2026; and the Contracts for Difference (Sustainable Industry Rewards and Contract Budget Notice Amendments) Regulations 2026.

Petitions presented

Two petitions were presented: one urging continuation of the school bus service from Kings Worthy to Henry Beaufort School, citing safety and access; and one calling for the phasing‑out of plastic ‘biobeads’ in wastewater treatment following a major spill on the Sussex coast.

Adjournment debate: Flooding in rural communities

Alicia Kearns described repeated flooding in villages across Rutland, Harborough and South Kesteven, difficulties with small mitigations (e.g. depth gauges), insurance gaps and funding thresholds. She argued that the Flood Recovery Framework’s trigger—“50 houses must flood”—excludes small communities, and urged updates to Flood Re, faster section 19 reports, ending double council tax for displaced residents, revisiting dredging and developer liabilities, and making water companies statutory consultees. She opened, “Water has no respect for property”.

Minister Emma Hardy praised responders and farmers, and set out “a £1.4 billion investment in flooding in 2026-27” with 600+ schemes, including natural flood management—“The new formula… puts greater emphasis on natural flood management”—as part of “the largest flood defence programme in English history”. She undertook to consider section 19 timeliness and to refer council tax issues to the housing department.