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1203647

registered interest
date	15/06/2020
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	Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Development Aid
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when he last met with the Secretary of State for International Development to discuss Official Development Assistance spending.
tabling member constituency	Putney
tabling member printed	Fleur Anderson
uin	59625
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2020 answer text <p>I have regular discussions with Ministerial colleagues on the full range of our international activity, including through Official Development Assistance (ODA). My Department supports international development through excellent ODA projects such as our Cultural Protection Fund and the International Tech Hubs programme. I welcome the creation of the new Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and will continue to work closely with Ministerial colleagues to promote the UK's interests around the world.</p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 18/06/2020 10:53:02 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4788 label Biography information for Fleur Anderson

1203660

registered interest
date	15/06/2020
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	Charities: Coronavirus
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 he has made of the level of support required by BAME charities working to support people in Hornsey and Wood Green constituency who are being disproportionately affected by covid-19.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	59542
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2020 answer text <p>BAME charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises play a vital role in supporting communities throughout the country. Their work has become even more critical in the response to this unprecedented crisis.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Government recognises that organisations require extra support in order to continue their vital work while experiencing significant pressures due to Covid-19, through either, or both, a loss of income and increasing demand for services increases.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>This is why the government has made an unprecedented £750 million package of support available, specifically for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. The Coronavirus Community Support Fund (CCSF) forms a central part of this package, and is being administered through the National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF). £200 million has now been made available for TNLCF to distribute and they are engaging extensively with BAME organisations to improve the reach of the Fund.</p><p> </p><p>A diverse advisory panel has been set up to assist in the distribution process for the Fund. DCMS will continue to work closely to assess how we can support BAME charities and social enterprises in doing their important work. The Minister for Civil Society holds a fortnightly roundtable to hear directly from BAME civil society organisations to highlight concerns and responses to Covid-19. DCMS will continue to work closely to assess how we can support BAME charities and social enterprises in doing their important work.</p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 18/06/2020 10:50:53 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1203704

registered interest
date	15/06/2020
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	Orchestras: Coronavirus
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 he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on classical orchestras; and what support his Department is providing to those orchestras during the outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Barnsley Central
tabling member printed	Dan Jarvis
uin	59472
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2020 answer text <p>In order to support the sustainability of the Arts sector, including classical orchestras, DCMS has worked closely with Arts Council England (ACE) to provide a tailored package of financial support. In March, ACE announced a £160m emergency response package to complement the financial measures already announced by the Government and to ensure immediate resilience of this vital sector.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>This package includes £140 million of support for artistic organisations including orchestras; and £20 million of financial support for individuals, including self-employed classical musicians, so they can better sustain themselves, and their work, in the coming months. More than 9000 individuals and organisations have been successful in applying for this emergency funding.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Furthermore, self-employed classical musicians are among the millions of people (including freelancers) who can now benefit from the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, which will provide those eligible with cash grants worth up to £2,500 per month. We expect that the Self-Employed Income Support scheme will cover 95% of people who receive the majority of their income from self-employment.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Secretary of State, myself and officials continue to consult the Art sector extensively to ensure we fully understand the financial impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the sector.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>On the basis of that engagement, DCMS and ACE are continuing to work closely to consider the additional measures that are needed to ensure the long-term recovery and growth of the cultural sector, including orchestras and classical musicians.</p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 18/06/2020 16:36:36 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4243 label Biography information for Dan Jarvis

1203747

registered interest
date	15/06/2020
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	Charities and Voluntary Organisations: Coronavirus
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 he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on charities and voluntary organisations working with and for disabled people.
tabling member constituency	Bristol West
tabling member printed	Thangam Debbonaire
uin	59510
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2020 answer text <p>Charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises across the country undertake incredibly important work with and for disabled people. This work has become even more critical during this unprecedented crisis.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Many organisations, including those working with and for disabled people, are experiencing significant pressures due to Covid-19, through either, or both, a loss of income and increasing demand for services increases.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>This is why the government has made an unprecedented £750 million package of support available, specifically for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. The £200m Coronavirus Community Support Fund (CCSF) forms a central part of this package, and is being distributed to organisations through the National Lottery Community Fund (TNLCF). Organisations, including those who work with and for disabled people, should visit the TNLCF website to learn more about how to submit an application (<a href="http://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk" target="_blank">www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk</a>).</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Furthermore, the Department of Health and Social Care has announced a £6 million fund to support charities working with people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs.</p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 18/06/2020 10:54:35 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4433 label Biography information for Thangam Debbonaire

1203306

registered interest
date	12/06/2020
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: Hearing Impairment
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for what reasons a television licence discount is not available for people with hearing impairments.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
uin	59258
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>The government is committed to building a digitally inclusive society, and believes that television should be accessible for all UK audiences. The BBC provides subtitling on 100% of all of its programming (excluding BBC Parliament and BBC Scotland), as well as signing 5% of its content.</p><p><strong><br></strong>Currently, under the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004, TV Licence concessions are available to people who are registered blind or severely sight impaired, and people who live in qualifying residential care and are disabled or over 60 years old. We are not considering making changes to the current concessions regime at this time. The government has committed to review the TV Licence model ahead of the next Charter Review, which is set to be completed by 2027.</p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 17/06/2020 15:14:10 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1203307

registered interest
date	12/06/2020
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: Hearing Impairment
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 he plans to take steps with representatives from the BBC to improve subtitles across all BBC channels and services.
tabling member constituency	Coventry South
tabling member printed	Zarah Sultana
uin	59259
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>As the independent broadcast regulator, Ofcom is responsible for holding broadcasters to account for their delivery of television access services (subtitles, audio description and signing), not the government.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Ofcom’s Code on Television Access Services sets out 10-year targets in relation to subtitling, which for BBC channels (excluding BBC Parliament and BBC Scotland) is 100% of all programming. Ofcom has found that the BBC has consistently met this target.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Ofcom’s Code provides further guidance that broadcasters should regularly monitor the quality of their access services, and ensure that scheduled access services are being provided correctly. In line with the BBC’s 2016 Royal Charter and Agreement, Ofcom is also currently reviewing how the BBC should make its UK Public Services accessible. Ofcom’s public consultation on BBC Accessibility concluded on 31 January 2020.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 17/06/2020 15:47:05 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4786 label Biography information for Zarah Sultana

1202805

registered interest
date	11/06/2020
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	Media: Coronavirus
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 support package he plans to provide to (a) newspapers and (b) media outlets more widely in response to the covid-19 outbreak, and whether conditions will be attached to that funding.
tabling member constituency	Dwyfor Meirionnydd
tabling member printed	Liz Saville Roberts
uin	58751
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>Media outlets across the UK are facing existential pressures due to the impacts of Covid-19. The government remains in regular dialogue with stakeholders across the media sectors regarding ways in which this can be mitigated, in addition to the unprecedented package of nationwide support announced by the Chancellor.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In terms of newspapers in particular, the government has provided specific support to publishers during the crisis. The government has clarified that all journalists, including broadcast journalists, and other ancillary staff, are ‘key workers’ for the purposes of access to childcare and educational places. The government also issued guidance to local authorities on the importance of newspaper delivery, which has been critical to the continued dissemination of public interest news.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The government has also sought to maximise newspapers’ advertising opportunities by implementing a public information campaign to ensure the distribution of authoritative, up-to-date information about Covid-19, while also alleviating publishers’ financial pressures. The current partnership brings together over 600 titles across the UK, the vast majority of which are local papers. As with any media planning approach, titles are selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level and to ensure value for money, reach and targeting efficacy.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>For online media outlets, the government has taken steps to ensure the use of ‘keyword blocklisting’ technology is not inadvertently damaging any news publishers’ online advertising revenues for Covid-19 related stories. Additionally, the Chancellor brought forward the commencement of zero-rating of VAT on all e-newspapers in order to bring savings to readers and support digital publishing.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is in regular dialogue with stakeholders about ensuring the support offered is as effective and fair as it can be. Ministers are engaging with broadcasters (both TV and radio) and news publishers on a regular basis to understand the impacts of Covid-19 on their day to day operations, and how the government can support them. The government will continue to consider all possible options in the interests of promoting and sustaining high-quality news journalism.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 16/06/2020 15:46:21 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4521 label Biography information for Liz Saville Roberts

1202819

registered interest
date	11/06/2020
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	Museums and Galleries: Coronavirus
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 support he is providing to (a) Newcastle’s Discovery Centre and (b) other regional museums to help ensure that they are able to survive the covid-19 lockdown.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
uin	58702
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>Museums are supported by over £200 million in emergency packages from DCMS arm’s-length bodies. As part of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums, an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation, Newcastle Discovery Centre is eligible to bid for the £90 million emergency fund provided by ACE for the national portfolio. National Portfolio Organisations have also been able to benefit from drawing down quarterly funding in advance.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>As well as the culture and heritage-specific support, many regional museums are eligible for the UK’s world-class package of support, including through the Job Retention Scheme and the availability of grants of up to £25,000 to leisure businesses, including museums operating from smaller premises, through the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund. The Government continues to monitor the impact of these and other measures.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>My department is in constant contact with sector bodies and museums directly, including the Director of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums as a representative of the National Museum Directors’ Council and English Civic Museums Network, to assess impacts and understand the need for support for the sector in response to COVID-19.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 16/06/2020 14:15:24 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1202820

registered interest
date	11/06/2020
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	Broadband
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 support is offered to gigabit capable broadband operators when a landlord charges excessive wayleave fees to discourage deployment.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
uin	58703
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>The Electronic Communications Code (“the Code”) regulates the legal relationships (including wayleave agreements) between site providers and operators of electronic communications networks (known as Code Operators) to support the rollout and maintenance of communications infrastructure.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Code was substantially revised as part of the Digital Economy Act 2017 to make it cheaper and easier for telecommunications operators to deploy their networks at pace. Rights to install infrastructure on private land are subject to an agreement being made with the landowner. Most agreements are reached on a consensual basis, but where this cannot be achieved, or where disputes arise, the Code allows either party to apply to a court for resolution of the disputed matter, i.e. by the imposition of an agreement.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The revised Code changed the basis on which access to land is valued when an agreement is imposed to a ‘no scheme’ system. Paragraph 24 of the revised Code makes clear that when assessing the consideration payable by an operator, the court must do so on the assumption of no additional value relating to the provision or use of an electronic communications network, when they are imposing an agreement. This is expected to reduce operator costs and encourage investment in infrastructure rollout.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Government expects that operators and landlords will negotiate in good faith and hopes that, in most cases, agreements will be reached on a consensual basis. However, if a landlord is seeking to charge an operator excessive fees, it is open to the operator to apply to the court for an agreement to be imposed in appropriate circumstances. Any order made to this effect will cover the price that must be paid to the landlord, and will be based on the statutory valuation regime, which is specifically designed to prevent “ransom” pricing.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 16/06/2020 14:28:24 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1202822

registered interest
date	11/06/2020
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	Theatre Royal Newcastle upon Tyne: Coronavirus
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 additional financial support he plans to allocate to Newcastle’s Theatre Royal in the event that the theatre is not able to hold public events for the remainder of 2020.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
uin	58705
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government recognises that this is an incredibly challenging time for those in the cultural sector and that there are many organisations who are currently facing challenging and uncertain circumstances. We are very alert to this issue, and are working to find solutions that support this vital sector.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government has provided the cultural sector with an unprecedented financial support package, in particular through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. In addition, Arts Council England has put together a £160 million emergency response package for the cultural sector which is available to publicly-funded organisations as well as those not usually in receipt of public funding .</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Secretary of State, Ministers and officials continue to consult the cultural sector extensively to ensure they fully understand the potential impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak on the sector. DCMS is regularly engaging with HMT to feed in their assessment of the potential impacts and to ensure the needs of the cultural sector are factored into the developing economic response, and that DCMS sectors are supported throughout this time.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 17/06/2020 15:35:10 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah