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1547190

registered interest
date	01/12/2022
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	BBC Radio: Local Broadcasting
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the BBC on its future support for BBC Local Radio.
tabling member constituency	Nottingham East
tabling member printed	Nadia Whittome
uin	902507
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2022 answer text <p>The Government is disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce parts of its local radio output. I met with the BBC and expressed our shared concerns in this House. I made clear that it must continue to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that represents communities from all corners of the UK.</p><p>Ultimately, the BBC is editorially and operationally independent, and it is for them to decide how to deliver its services. However, I expect them to consider the views of this House when they make the decision over whether to proceed.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 01/12/2022 15:34:46 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4869 label Biography information for Nadia Whittome

1547351

registered interest
date	01/12/2022
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	Television Licences: Non-payment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many pensioners have been prosecuted for non-payment of the TV Licence fee in each of the last three years.
tabling member constituency	Ashfield
tabling member printed	Lee Anderson
uin	101060
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/12/2022 answer text <p>The requirement to hold, and pay for, a TV Licence is set out in the Communications Act 2003 and the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004.</p><p>The Ministry of Justice currently publishes the number of prosecutions, convictions and sentencing outcomes for the non-payment of TV licence fees annually as part of their criminal justice statistics quarterly publications, which can be viewed here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/criminal-justice-statistics-quarterly</a></p><p>Figures for each year since 2005 up to 2022 are available in the Outcomes by Offence data tool, and can be found in the following dataset:</p><ul><li><p>2018-2022: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1118314/outcomes-by-offence-june-2022.xlsx" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1118314/outcomes-by-offence-june-2022.xlsx</a></p></li></ul><p>To view the relevant figures in these tables, select ‘191A Television licence evasion’ in the Offence filter. These figures can be refined further by age to identify an age range of 70+, it is impossible to provide the data for 'pensioners' as that is a diverse group that cannot be filtered purely by age.</p><p>The data for individuals aged 70+ are the following:</p><ul><li><p>​2022 - 260 proceeded against &amp; 217 sentenced</p></li><li><p>2021 - 238 proceeded against &amp; 207 sentenced</p></li><li><p><del class="ministerial">2022</del> <ins class="ministerial">2020 </ins>- 329 proceeded against &amp; 288 sentenced</p></li></ul><p>Alternative data does also show no Over 75s have been prosecuted and that none of the prosecutions have resulted in custodial sentences.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 07/12/2022 16:17:04 question first ministerially corrected 15/12/2022 09:17:36 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez previous answer version 40369 answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4743 label Biography information for Lee Anderson

1547435

registered interest
date	01/12/2022
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	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Chief Scientific Advisers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many meetings (a) they and (b) other Ministers in their Department have had with the Department's Chief Scientific Adviser from (i) 1 December 2021 to 28 February 2022, (ii) 1 March to 31 May 2022 and (iii) 1 June to 31 August 2022.
tabling member constituency	Tunbridge Wells
tabling member printed	Greg Clark
uin	100916
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/12/2022 answer text <p>The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport draws from a range of scientific advice and expertise. In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal meetings are not normally disclosed.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 07/12/2022 16:12:38 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1578 label Biography information for Greg Clark

1546797

registered interest
date	30/11/2022
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: Universal Service Obligation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure the future of the Universal Service Obligation for broadband.
tabling member constituency	Wansbeck
tabling member printed	Ian Lavery
uin	99850
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/12/2022 answer text <p>The broadband Universal service Obligation (USO) was launched in March 2020 and acts as a ‘digital safety net’ providing every premises with the legal right to request a decent broadband service providing speeds of at least 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload.</p><p>As the independent regulator, it is the responsibility of Ofcom to administer and monitor the broadband USO and ensure that the two Universal Service Providers comply with the obligations placed on them.</p><p>As set out in the <em>Communications Act 2003</em>, the Secretary of State must give Ofcom a direction to review the broadband USO once at least 75% of premises in the United Kingdom, on the basis of Ofcom’s data, take up a broadband service with a download speed of at least 30 megabits per second. As of September 2021 Ofcom reported that 69% of premises in the UK had taken up a superfast broadband service.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 07/12/2022 16:12:08 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4139 label Biography information for Ian Lavery

1546427

registered interest
date	29/11/2022
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	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Redundancy
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has a voluntary exit programme for civil servants serving under her Department.
tabling member constituency	Ashton-under-Lyne
tabling member printed	Angela Rayner
uin	98808
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p>DCMS does not currently have a voluntary exit programme for its serving Civil Servants.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 05/12/2022 09:57:37 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4356 label Biography information for Angela Rayner

1546503

registered interest
date	29/11/2022
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	Local Press and Radio: Shropshire
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to protect news gathering and output following the review into BBC local radio services in Shropshire.
tabling member constituency	The Wrekin
tabling member printed	Mark Pritchard
uin	98747
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p>The Government recognises the important role that BBC Radio Shropshire plays in terms of the provision of local news and information, and of community engagement in the local area. We are disappointed that the BBC is planning to reduce parts of its local radio output. The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from the government as set out in its Royal Charter, and decisions on service delivery are a matter for the BBC. However, I have been clear with the Chairman of the BBC Board and the Director General that the BBC must make sure it continues to provide distinctive and genuinely local radio services, with content that reflects and represents people and communities from all corners of the UK. The Government also expects Ofcom, as regulator of the BBC, to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account in delivering its public service duties. The Secretary of State has already asked Ofcom about how they are considering this issue, and I understand that Ofcom is continuing to discuss these proposals with the BBC.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 05/12/2022 16:24:28 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1576 label Biography information for Mark Pritchard

1545790

registered interest
date	28/11/2022
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	Building Digital UK: Cornwall
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with Building Digital UK on Type A procurements for Cornwall; and what the timetable is for announcing a decision on those procurements.
tabling member constituency	South East Cornwall
tabling member printed	Mrs Sheryll Murray
uin	97516
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/12/2022 answer text <p>As part of Project Gigabit, we are delivering two local supplier procurements (Type A) for Central Cornwall and South West Cornwall. Combined, the two procurements are estimated to cover up to 19,000 premises, with a total value of £18 million. We expect to award contracts in January 2023.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 06/12/2022 14:35:29 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4100 label Biography information for Mrs Sheryll Murray

1545905

registered interest
date	28/11/2022
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: Competition
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to protect competition in the delivery of full-fibre broadband networks.
tabling member constituency	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
tabling member printed	Drew Hendry
uin	97553
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2022 answer text <p>In 2018, the Government published the Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review (FTIR), which set out our strategy to deliver nationwide gigabit-capable broadband. Central to this strategy is our desire to see a regulatory system which incentivises competition and investment in UK fixed telecoms. In this document, DCMS called for regulation that is limited to where it is necessary, and provides the longer-term stability and predictability that investors need.</p><p>We followed this with our 2019 Statement of Strategic Priorities for Ofcom. This document implemented the regulatory strategy we established in the FTIR, focussing on incentivising competition in the broadband market.</p><p>Ultimately, Ofcom is responsible for safeguarding competition in the broadband market. In 2021, Ofcom published its Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review (WFTMR) which set out Ofcom’s decisions for regulation of the fixed telecoms market until 2026. The WFTMR makes explicit mention of the Government’s desire to support market entry and expansion by alternative network operators and is fulfilling this by, for example, providing competitors with effective access to Openreach’s ducts and poles.</p><p>Thanks to these measures to incentivise competition, there are now over 80 companies investing over £35bn to connect premises all over the UK, and gigabit coverage has increased to 72%, rising from just 6% in 2019.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 01/12/2022 09:56:57 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4467 label Biography information for Drew Hendry

1545906

registered interest
date	28/11/2022
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: Regulation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the current barriers to market access experienced by full-fibre broadband providers.
tabling member constituency	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
tabling member printed	Drew Hendry
uin	97554
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/12/2022 answer text <p>The Government’s Barrier Busting Task Force (BBTF) was set up within DCMS towards the end of 2017. Its key objective is to identify and address the barriers preventing the fast, efficient and cost-effective deployment of gigabit-capable broadband and improved mobile coverage, including next generation 5G technology.</p><p>The team liaises with stakeholders from across the industry, including landowner representatives, to identify any barriers which could adversely impact rollout. It has recently identified and worked in the following areas:</p><p><strong>Electronic Communications Code</strong></p><p>In January 2021, the BBTF team consulted on changes to the Electronic Communications Code, which resulted in the Government bringing forward measures in the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill, which completed its parliamentary passage last week.</p><p>Measures in the Bill which will specifically assist telecoms operators providing broadband services include an increased ability to upgrade and share the existing duct and pole network and a procedure to deal with non-responsive landowners. This is in addition to the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act 2021, which is due to come into force at the end of the year and will make it easier for broadband operators to install in multiple dwelling units where the landlord is repeatedly unresponsive to requests for access.</p><p><strong>New Build Connectivity</strong></p><p>One of the barriers we identified to the roll out of gigabit broadband coverage was the lack of deployment of broadband networks to new homes. In September we laid the Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022 which come into force on 26 December 2022. These make it mandatory for developers to install gigabit-ready infrastructure and, where it can be done within a £2,000 cost cap, a gigabit-capable connection in each dwelling.</p><p><strong>Streetworks</strong></p><p>The BBTF has worked with the Department for Transport (DfT) to make street works for the rollout of broadband more simple and cost-effective. This has involved amending guidance, such as the Specification for the Reinstatement of Openings in Highways to allow more innovative technologies to be used. DfT has also introduced Street Manager, a digital service to streamline processes across highways authorities, who authorise and coordinate streetworks in England and Wales. In addition, the team encourages collaboration between broadband companies and highways authorities, publishing the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/framework-for-uk-fibre-delivery-street-works" target="_blank">Street Works Toolkit</a> in 2018. The Toolkit sets out best practice for highways authorities and telecoms companies to work together as efficiently as possible.</p><p><strong>Local Authorities </strong></p><p>The BBTF has published guidance through the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/digital-connectivity-portal" target="_blank">Digital Connectivity Portal</a>. The Portal provides practical information for local authorities, for instance on debunking myths around 5G, on the application of legislation such as the Electronic Communications Code and planning regulations, and on creating an effective digital strategy to facilitate telecoms deployment. The Task Force also regularly facilitates meetings and workshops between local authorities and the telecoms industry, aimed at increasing understanding of the importance of digital connectivity to local communities, as well as the practicalities around its deployment.</p><p><strong>Investment</strong></p><p>In the 2017 Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review, DCMS stated its intention for regulation of the sector, which would provide long term stability and certainty, creating a market where operators were willing to invest. This was followed by the 2019 Statement of Strategic Priorities for Ofcom, which implemented the strategy set out in 2019. This has helped deliver significant investment in gigabit-capable networks and an increase in the number of operators rolling out gigabit services.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 01/12/2022 09:54:29 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4467 label Biography information for Drew Hendry

1545907

registered interest
date	28/11/2022
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	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of the Inverness-model for the rapid increased delivery of access to full-fibre broadband within communities.
tabling member constituency	Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey
tabling member printed	Drew Hendry
uin	97678
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/12/2022 answer text <p>Building Digital UK (BDUK) is working with Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Highland Council, with the support of the Scottish Government, to identify where Project Gigabit might support the Inverness and Highland City Region Deal and improve digital connectivity in the region. A Public Review to confirm suppliers’ commercial plans was carried out from 7 October to 14 November 2022 and the results of this review are currently being assessed, alongside engagement with broadband providers, to identify the potential scope of a gigabit broadband procurement in the Inverness area.</p><p>BDUK is also working with the Scottish Government on options for Project Gigabit procurement activity across the rest of Scotland.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 06/12/2022 14:28:57 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4467 label Biography information for Drew Hendry