Oral QuestionCabinet Office

When the public inquiry into the covid-19 pandemic will begin.

Tabled: 10 February 2022Answered: 24 February 2022

Asked by

Afzal Khan

LabourManchester Rusholme

Answering Minister

the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Answer from Hansard

The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)

Protecting children from harmful content online is a top priority for this Government and for me personally, because it is a deeply concerning issue for parents and children across the country. Since implementing the Online Safety Act this summer, 6,000 sites have taken action to stop children seeing harmful content online, but I will be paying close attention to what is working and will not hesitate to go further if necessary. Indeed, on Monday I added self-harm material to the list of priority offences in the Act, so if companies do not take down content that promotes self-harm or actively stop it appearing, they will face enforcement action. I hope this shows the House my determination to take all necessary steps on this issue.