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1421601

	registered interest
	date	10/02/2022
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Ofcom: Telecommunications
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	With reference to the Penrose review, published in February 2021, what assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the recommendation in that review that Ofcom should promote competition and reduce regulatory burdens in the communications sector.
	tabling member constituency	Weston-super-Mare
	tabling member printed	John Penrose
	uin	905571
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/02/2022 answer text <p>Our Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review recognised that promoting competition and stable, long-term regulation were critical to our connectivity ambitions. We embedded these goals into Ofcom’s Statement of Strategic Priorities.</p><p>Moreover, work continues across government on the UK’s regulatory frameworks: the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has consulted on reforms to competition and consumer policy; and, the government has set out its vision for modernising the economic regulation of the utilities sectors, including telecommunications.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 10/02/2022 16:43:52 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	1584 label Biography information for John Penrose

1356095

	registered interest
	date	16/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Digital Technology: Disadvantaged
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps she is taking to help prevent people from becoming digitally excluded.
	tabling member constituency	Halifax
	tabling member printed	Holly Lynch
	uin	903490
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/09/2021 answer text <p>The Government has worked closely with providers to put in place social tariffs. These provide low cost landline and broadband services for people on means-tested state benefits. We are encouraging providers who do not currently offer social tariff packages to do so. The telecoms industry has also removed data caps on fixed broadband packages, and provides free or low cost data boosts on mobile services to support vulnerable consumers.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In February DCMS also launched a £2.5 million Digital Lifeline Fund to reduce the digital exclusion of people with learning disabilities.This fund has provided tablets, data and free digital support to over 5,000 people with learning disabilities, enabling them to connect with friends and family, and access services and support groups, promoting overall well being.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government has also introduced a digital entitlement for adults with no or low digital skills to undertake specified digital qualifications, up to level 1, free of charge.</p><p><strong><p><p></strong></p><p>Finally, around 2,900 public libraries in England provide accessible locations offering free Wi-Fi, computers, and other technology. Library staff, often supported by volunteers, can provide library users with digital support.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 28/09/2021 10:39:56 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4472 label Biography information for Holly Lynch

1356094

	registered interest
	date	16/09/2021
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Digital Technology: Rural Areas
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What steps her Department is taking to improve digital infrastructure and connectivity in rural areas.
	tabling member constituency	Buckingham
	tabling member printed	Greg Smith
	uin	903489
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/09/2021 answer text <p>The government is focused on improving digital infrastructure and connectivity in rural areas, with our £5bn Project Gigabit and £1bn Shared Rural Network. As such, the government recently announced more details about our procurement pipeline, specifically, for the 2.2 million hard to reach premises in England in Phases 1 and 2 of the delivery plan.</p><p>Alongside Project Gigabit and the Shared Rural Network, we are continuing with our strategy to reduce barriers and to promote competition and investment.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 24/09/2021 15:54:41 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4778 label Biography information for Greg Smith

1400213

	registered interest
	date	06/01/2022
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Film and Television: Health and Safety
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What recent discussions she has had with representatives of the UK film industry on that sector's compliance with health and safety legislation.
	tabling member constituency	South West Bedfordshire
	tabling member printed	Andrew Selous
	uin	904878
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/01/2022 answer text <p>The Government is dedicated to improving the creative industries, upskilling individuals, and promoting health and safety.</p><p>My department recognises the importance of the film industry’s compliance with relevant health and safety legislation and we engage regularly with the sector, including through the British Film Institute.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 06/01/2022 15:22:19 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	1453 label Biography information for Andrew Selous

1453886

	registered interest
	date	24/03/2022
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Broadband: Standards
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What proportion of addresses have access to gigabit-capable broadband connections in (a) Kettering constituency and (b) England.
	tabling member constituency	Kettering
	tabling member printed	Mr Philip Hollobone
	uin	906275
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2022 answer text <p>88 per cent of premises in the Honourable Member’s constituency are able to access gigabit-capable broadband.</p><p>Across the UK as a whole, 66 per cent of premises now have access to gigabit broadband, up from six per cent three years ago. This means Kettering’s connectivity is above the national average and we are on track for gigabit coverage to reach at least 85 per cent of premises by 2025 and we are working to reach near-universal coverage as soon as possible thereafter.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 24/03/2022 14:22:04 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	1537 label Biography information for Mr Philip Hollobone

1379761

	registered interest
	date	18/11/2021
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Channel Four Television: Privatisation
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	What assessment she has made of the impact of the potential privatisation of Channel 4 on jobs in the independent media production sector.
	tabling member constituency	Birkenhead
	tabling member printed	Mick Whitley
	uin	904213
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2021 answer text <p>The government’s decision on the future of Channel 4, including its role with the independent production sector, will be informed by the responses to our recent consultation, which are still being analysed.</p><p>We are pleased that the UK’s independent production sector is flourishing and has become less reliant on income from PSBs over the years. Between 2008 and 2018, the contribution of PSB commissions to sector revenue fell from 64%-42%. But Channel 4 - and other PSBs - still has an important role to play in supporting independent production and the wider creative economy.</p><p>Whatever decision is made, it will not compromise the government’s commitment to this sector. Channel 4’s ability to work with independent producers is a strength to be celebrated and maintained into its future, and is not at odds with private investment.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 18/11/2021 12:18:59 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4755 label Biography information for Mick Whitley

1452516

	registered interest
	date	18/03/2022
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Broadcasting: Russia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport, what recent discussions her Department had held with Ofcom on revoking the licences of Russian state-backed broadcasters.
	tabling member constituency	Falkirk
	tabling member printed	John McNally
	uin	142463
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2022 answer text <p>Broadcasting regulation is a matter for the independent regulator Ofcom. The Secretary of State wrote to Ofcom on 23 February setting out her concerns over Russian propaganda following the crisis in Ukraine. Ofcom responded on the same day, informing the Secretary of State that it had already stepped up its oversight of coverage of these events by broadcasters in the UK, in recognition of the serious nature of the crisis in Ukraine.</p><p>We welcome Ofcom’s decision to revoke RT’s licence to broadcast in the UK so that Putin can no longer spread insidious propaganda on UK television. We will not hesitate to take any necessary action against key individuals and bodies responsible for disseminating misinformation and are exploring options to stop the spread of such material in the UK.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 24/03/2022 14:41:21 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4424 label Biography information for John McNally

1433741

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2022
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Entertainers: EU Countries
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with which EU member states the Government has conducted formal negotiations on reducing barriers to cultural touring since January 2021.
	tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
	tabling member printed	David Warburton
	uin	126759
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2022 answer text <p>The Government has engaged bilaterally with all EU Member States about the importance of touring. From these discussions, 21 out of 27 Member States have confirmed they offer visa and work permit free routes for performers for some short-term touring. More recently, following further discussions, and having sought evidence from industry, Bulgaria and Croatia have also confirmed that they offer visa and work permit free routes for some touring activity. Most of these Member States have confirmed that they offer visa and work permit free routes of at least 30 days, and many for up to 90 days, including important touring markets such as France, Germany and, following close work between our governments and industry, Spain.</p><p>Discussions are ongoing with the remaining Member States to encourage them to make touring easier, including through ministerial discussions between the Minister of State for Media, Data and Digital Infrastructure and the Greek Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Greek Ambassador in December 2021.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 126760 question first answered 01/03/2022 11:13:50 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4526 label Biography information for David Warburton

1433589

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2022
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Telecommunications
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the upgrading of the telephone network, what steps she is taking to ensure that the provision of voice services is maintained for vulnerable landline-only users without broadband.
	tabling member constituency	St Albans
	tabling member printed	Daisy Cooper
	uin	126830
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2022 answer text <p>Whilst the upgrade of UK landlines from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over IP (VoIP) technology is an industry-led initiative, the government and Ofcom are working together to ensure consumers and sectors are protected and prepared for the upgrade process.</p><p>In order to function correctly, VoIP services require a minimum stable connection speed of just 0.5Mbps, and voice-only services will still be available to consumers in the UK who do not wish to purchase a general internet connection.</p><p>Ofcom has issued guidance on this migration which states that providers should take steps to identify at-risk customers and engage in effective communications to ensure all are protected and supported in the switch-over process.</p><p>Moreover, the PSTN migration does not affect the universal service obligations set in the Electronic Communications (Universal Service) Order 2003 which require the designated providers to offer telephony services throughout the UK. BT and KCOM are therefore still required to maintain access to a range of telephony services as well as provide a series of special measures designed for users who have a disability.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 01/03/2022 16:44:57 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4769 label Biography information for Daisy Cooper

1433592

	registered interest
	date	21/02/2022
	answering body	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	10
	answering dept short name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Telecommunications: Emergency Services
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the upgrading of the telephone network, what steps she is taking to ensure resilience in telephone access to emergency services, particularly during a mains power failure.
	tabling member constituency	St Albans
	tabling member printed	Daisy Cooper
	uin	126831
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/03/2022 answer text <p>The upgrade of UK landlines from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to Voice over IP (VoIP) technology is an industry-led initiative. Despite this, the Government and Ofcom are working together to ensure consumers and sectors are protected and prepared for the switchover process.</p><p>The Communications Act (2003) places obligations on Communications Providers, implemented under Condition A3 of Ofcom’s General Conditions of Entitlement, to ensure that any caller can access Emergency Organisations (Police, Ambulance, Fire &amp; Rescue, HM Coastguard) by using the emergency numbers “112” and “999” free of charge. If calling via mobile, this enables calls to 999/112 be made via another network if the caller’s mobile provider cannot provide a signal to make the call.</p><p>Alongside this, Ofcom has imposed regulatory obligations on communications providers to ensure customers have uninterrupted access to emergency organisations in the specific event of a power failure. The guidance states that providers must have at least one solution available that enables customers to access emergency organisations for a minimum of one hour in the event of a power cut, and that it must be offered free of charge to customers who are at risk due to their dependence on their landline.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 01/03/2022 17:11:10 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4769 label Biography information for Daisy Cooper