Science and Technology Select Committee, 2021-
The Science and Technology Committee is a permanent committee appointed to consider science and technology. It does this principally through undertaking inquiries. Currently the Committee is investigating the role of battery and fuel cell technologies in achieving the UK’s ambition to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The work will consider the use of these technologies in transport, and also in other sectors such as power grids, agricultural machinery and heat production. The Committee has issued a call for written evidence, and is taking oral evidence in spring 2021.
Democracy and Digital Technologies, 2019-2020
Democracy faces a daunting new challenge. The age where electoral activity
was conducted through traditional print media, canvassing and door knocking, is rapidly vanishing. Instead it is dominated by digital and social media. They are now the source from which voters get most of their information and political messaging and the Democracy and Digital Technologies Select Committee was set up to look at the spread of misinformation and make recommendations to rebuild trust in our democratic system.
Full report and recommendations
Read the Government’s response
Intergenerational Fairness and Provision Select Committee, 2018-2019
Chris was a member of the Intergenerational Fairness and Provision Select Committee established to make policy recommendations to help with long-term planning on a ‘generational timescale’. Intergenerational fairness covers the policy challenged exacerbated by an ageing population, the global financial crisis and successive government policies that have not fully accounted for generational issues.
Full report and recommendations
Artificial Intelligence Select Committee, 2017-2018
Chris was a member of the House of Lords Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence. The committee was established to consider the pace of technological change, the social and economic impact, and ethical considerations around AI. The committee concluded that the Government must understand the need to build public trust and confidence in how to use AI, as well as explain the risks. The committee also recommended a cross-sector ethical code of conduct, or ‘AI code’, which could provide the basis for statutory regulation.
Full report and recommendations
Financial Exclusion Select Committee, 2016-2017
Chris was appointed to the Financial Exclusion Committee in 2016. The committee was set up to consider the problems faced by people who have difficulty accessing or using the mainstream financial services that are necessary to participate in daily economic life and society. The committee findings and recommendations were published in March 2017. Chris spoke at major Fintech conference in April referring to the report and highlighting the incredible possibilities of technology in this area and the need to always ask will this enable and empower?
Full report and recommendations
Social Mobility Select Committee, 2015-2016
In June 2015 Chris was appointed to the Social Mobility Select Committee, to consider social mobility in the transition from school to work. Findings were published in a report called “Overlooked and left behind: improving the transition from school to work for the majority of young people” which called for action to address the current situation in which young people who do not follow an academic route face a system that is “complex and incoherent.”
Full report and recommendations
Read the Government’s response
Digital Skills Committee, 2014-2015
Chris was also a member of the Digital Skills Committee, established to examine the digital capability of the nation, particularly competitiveness and skills.