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1248991

	registered interest
	date	04/11/2020
	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	Television Licences: Fees and Charges
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Barran on 3 November (HL9410), (1) whether they will now answer the question put, namely, which regulations set the frequency and amount of instalments by which TV licence fees can be paid; what are the prescribed (a) weekly, (b) monthly, and (c) quarterly, instalment amounts of such fees, and (2) whether there is any prohibition in the regulations governing the TV licence fee on the payment of the fee by cheque.
	tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
	uin	HL9980
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/11/2020 answer text <p>The regulations which set the frequency and amount of instalments by which TV licence fees can be paid are the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004. The Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 provided the amended instalment amounts for the period beginning 1 April 2020.</p><p>However, the actual frequency and amount of the instalments for a TV licence may be affected by the payment method chosen or the individual circumstances of the customer, such as the date of renewal or whether the customer had a period of unlicensed use before the renewal. Payments may also be affected if the customer is in the first year of their TV licence, which is often paid for over the first 6 months of the licence period, and in some cases must be paid for upfront.</p><p>The TV Licensing website sets out that licence fee instalment amounts for a weekly or fortnightly payment licence are set out in an individual payment plan when a customer signs up for a Payment Card: <a href="https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/payment-card" target="_blank">https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/payment-card</a>.</p><p>The TV Licensing website also sets the monthly, quarterly and annual payment instalments for direct debit plans: <a href="https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/direct-debit" target="_blank">https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/direct-debit</a>.</p><p>For customers moving to the BBC’s 75+ payment plan, the BBC issued a general notice setting out the weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalment amounts which are payable: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/reports/consultation/age-related-tv-licence-policy/general-notice" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/reports/consultation/age-related-tv-licence-policy/general-notice</a></p><p>Certain customers can also pay for their TV licence in monthly or fortnightly instalments as part of the Simple Payment Plan, which is a payment instalment scheme specifically designed for people who struggle to pay the TV licence fee. These instalments can be found in the Communications (Television Licensing) (Amendment) (No.2) 2020.</p><p>There is no provision in the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 which prohibits the payment of the TV licence fee by cheque. However it is the BBC, not the government, that administers these schemes and is responsible for the collection and enforcement of the licence fee, including methods of payment. TV Licensing’s website explains that, at present, only annual licence fee payments can be made by cheque: <a href="https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/cheque-or-postal-order" target="_blank">https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/pay-for-your-tv-licence/ways-to-pay/cheque-or-postal-order</a>.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 18/11/2020 16:11:28 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1332161

	registered interest
	date	10/06/2021
	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	BBC: Ofcom
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that Ofcom’s regulation of the BBC is enhanced in the next five years.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Benjamin
	uin	HL988
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2021 answer text <p>The government established Ofcom as the BBC regulator to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account as the nation's broadcaster. Ofcom is independent of the government and the government has no say over Ofcom’s operational decisions</p><p>However, the Mid-Term Review of the Royal Charter offers an opportunity for the government to consider whether current governance and regulatory arrangements for the BBC are working effectively, including the effectiveness of the regulation by Ofcom. We will start the preparations now, ahead of the review starting formally next year, as the Royal Charter sets out.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 18/06/2021 13:07:22 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	4167 label Biography information for Baroness Benjamin

1331620

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2021
	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	Television Licences: Older People
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to decriminalise the non-payment of the BBC licence fee by senior citizens.
	tabling member printed	Lord Truscott
	uin	HL979
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2021 answer text <p>A government response on the issue of decriminalisation of TV licence evasion was published earlier this year. The responses to the consultation show that a significant number of people oppose the criminal sanction with some highlighting the considerable stress and anxiety it can cause for individuals, including the most vulnerable in society, such as older people.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The government is therefore keeping the issue of decriminalisation under active consideration while more work is done to understand the impact of alternative enforcement schemes.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 16/06/2021 14:27:35 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	3682 label Biography information for Lord Truscott

1331619

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2021
	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	Television Licences
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement from Annabel Denham, the Director of Communications at the Institute for Economic Affairs that after 75 years the BBC licence is “no longer fit for purpose” and should be replaced by a “subscriber-owned mutual.”
	tabling member printed	Lord Truscott
	uin	HL978
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2021 answer text <p>The government has committed to maintain the licence fee funding model for the duration of this 11 year Charter period, until 2027.</p><p>We will revisit the licence fee model in advance of the next Charter.</p><p>The government is committed to ensuring that the BBC and all public service broadcasters adapt to a fast changing market, and keeping them at the heart of our world class TV sector.</p><p>The BBC has already committed to consider how alternative funding models, such as subscription, could supplement licence fee income before the next Charter Review.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 16/06/2021 14:27:19 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	3682 label Biography information for Lord Truscott

1331618

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2021
	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	Visas: EU Countries
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by Lord Frost on 27 May (HL Deb, cols 1103–6), which EU countries were involved in bi-lateral discussions with the UK Government about touring visas for workers in the cultural sector; and whether the Home Office was party to these discussions.
	tabling member printed	Lord Stevenson of Balmacara
	uin	HL973
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2021 answer text <p>As the Secretary of State has said, we have moved at pace and with urgency on plans to support the creative sectors to tour in Europe. We are engaging on a bilateral basis with all 27 EU Member States, and through this engagement we have established that in at least 17 out of 27 Member States some touring activities are possible without visas or work-permits. The UK has significantly more generous arrangements for touring professionals than many Member States. We are now working closely with individual Member States to encourage them to adopt a more flexible approach, in line with the UK’s own rules which allow creative professionals to tour easily here. We are working with a number of departments on this engagement strategy, including the Home Office.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 16/06/2021 14:08:41 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	4175 label Biography information for Lord Stevenson of Balmacara

1331613

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2021
	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	Future News Pilot Fund
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have (1) to provide funding for, and (2) to further the work of, the Future News Pilot Fund.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL967
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2021 answer text <p>The government invested £2 million in the pilot Future News Fund, which sought to invest in new technological prototypes, start-ups and innovative business models to explore new ways of sustaining public interest news in a changing landscape. The pilot received 178 applications and grants were awarded to 19 projects.</p><p>The pilot fund came to an end in June 2020. We are considering options for taking forward innovation funding, building on the model set by the Future News Fund pilot and taking into account Nesta’s independent evaluation, sector feedback, and the changing landscape as a result of Covid-19.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 16/06/2021 14:26:13 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

1331612

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2021
	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	Internet: Safety
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish an online media literacy strategy.
	tabling member printed	Lord Roberts of Llandudno
	uin	HL966
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/06/2021 answer text <p>The Full Government Response to the Online Harms White Paper Consultation, published last December, confirmed our commitment to publish an Online Media Literacy Strategy. The Strategy will explore the media literacy landscape and ensure a strategic and coordinated approach to media literacy activity. The Strategy will further help support users with the skill and knowledge they need to make informed and safer choices online.The Strategy will be published later this year.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 14/06/2021 11:48:02 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	3691 label Biography information for Lord Roberts of Llandudno

1331549

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2021
	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	BBC: Broadcasting Programmes
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they plan to take to ensure that the BBC does not reduce the number of quotas related to delivering public value content, including those related to (1) radio, and (2) children’s programming.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Benjamin
	uin	HL914
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2021 answer text <p>The government is clear that the BBC has to provide high quality, distinctive content and services. However, it is ultimately a matter for Ofcom as the independent regulator on how to enforce these obligations through appropriate regulation. It is therefore for Ofcom, not the government, to set and amend quotas for the BBC’s public services.</p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 16/06/2021 14:10:14 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	4167 label Biography information for Baroness Benjamin

1331548

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2021
	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	BBC: Royal Charters
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government how their mid-term review of the BBC Charter will be informed by Ofcom’s review of the BBC’s operating licence.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Benjamin
	uin	HL913
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2021 answer text <p>Ofcom is independent of the government and the government has no say over Ofcom’s operational decisions. A review of the BBC's operating licence and service requirements is therefore for Ofcom as the BBC’s regulator.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Mid-Term Review of the Royal Charter offers an opportunity for the government to consider whether current governance and regulatory arrangements for the BBC are working effectively, including the effectiveness of the regulation by Ofcom.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We will start the preparations now, ahead of the review starting formally next year, as the Royal Charter sets out.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Barran question first answered 16/06/2021 14:26:33 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	4167 label Biography information for Baroness Benjamin

1331547

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2021
	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	Young Audiences Content Fund
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government why cuts were made to the final year of the Young Audiences Content Fund pilot; what assessment they made of (1) the effectiveness of that Fund, and (2) the need to provide notice of any changes to its funding.
	tabling member printed	Baroness Benjamin
	uin	HL912
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/06/2021 answer text <p>Following a successful Spending Review, the Young Audiences Content Fund will continue into its third year and receive up to £10.7m for year 3 of the pilot scheme, totalling up to £44.2m for the three years.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>As set out in the Contestable Fund<a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/936736/Contestable_Fund_Policy_Paper__FINAL_V2.pdf" target="_blank"> scoping paper published in 2018,</a> monitoring and evaluation of the Fund would inform the annual budget allocation over the course of the pilot. The 2021/22 funding awarded demonstrates a commitment to the value of children’s television programming in an exceptionally challenging fiscal climate, where some tough decisions have had to be made. DCMS has engaged continuously with the BFI, who administers the Fund, throughout the funding determination.</p><p> </p><p>Although assessment of the funds is ongoing, the <a href="https://www2.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/bfi-young-audience-content-fund-year-1-evaluation.pdf" target="_blank">Year One review</a> sets out a number of successes for the fund. As planned, a detailed evaluation of the scheme, against the criteria set out at launch, will take place this year before a decision is made on whether to close, continue or expand the Contestable Fund.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Barran grouped question UIN HL911 question first answered 14/06/2021 11:32:26 answering member 4703 label Biography information for Baroness Barran
	tabling member	4167 label Biography information for Baroness Benjamin