Sovereign ambitions, American cash
Announcements show US dependency.
Good morning, I'm writing this stuck somewhere in Essex on a very delayed train. Thoughts and prayers etc.
Happening Today 📆
Big speech: Liz Kendall sets out the government's approach to AI sovereignty and the UK's place in the world at midday. More below.
Progress please: MPs will discuss the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI) at 11am in a Westminster Hall Debate, organised by Labour MP Dan Aldridge. The debate comes after a visit by the Business and Trade Committee to India last month. The TSI was signed in July 2024, covering AI, semiconductors and quantum, but progress has been stop-start.
Danger: MPs on the Education Committee will be asking about social media's dangers from 9:45am. Giving evidence is Esther Ghey mother of murdered teenager Brianna, Andy Burrows, CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation, and Rani Govender from the NSPCC. Jacqueline Beauchere from Snapchat gives evidence separately at 11:30am.
On that note: The Lords voted for a social media ban on under-16s for the fourth time yesterday (316 votes to 165), rejecting the government's approach of a consultation followed by action. The government said it had strengthened its amendments to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill by committing to a new timeline after the consultation and "some form" of restrictions would be brought in. MPs then sent the Bill back to the Lords again late last night, but ministers are running out of time to get it through.
In today's edition for paid subscribers:
🇬🇧 The government sets out a vision for British AI Sovereignty
👉 The Conservatives outline principles which will underpin the party's tech policy
🇪🇺 The UK joins a European AI scheme