Show Search Form

Search Results

registered interest	true false
date	exactly: or between: and
answering body
answering dept id
answering dept short name
answering dept sort name
hansard heading
house id
legislature	pref label
question text
tabling member constituency
tabling member printed
uin
answer	is ministerial correction true false date of answer exactly: or between: and answer text answering member constituency answering member printed grouped question UIN question first answered answering member label
tabling member	label

Search

1204699

registered interest
date	17/06/2020
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	Voluntary Organisations: Finance
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 further steps he is taking to provide additional financial support for the Voluntary and Community Sector in addition to the £750 million announced on the 8th April 2020.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	60818
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/06/2020 answer text <p>The Government has announced a broad package of support for businesses and charities to ensure that organisations that need support are able to access it. This includes the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and the option to defer VAT payments due between 20 March and 30 June 2020.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In addition to the broad package of support and the £750m to specifically support the Voluntary and Community Sector, the government has also unlocked a further £150 million from dormant bank and building society accounts. These will be distributed to organisations to support urgent work for groups in need to tackle youth unemployment, expand access to emergency loans for civil society organisations and help improve the availability of fair, affordable credit to people in vulnerable circumstances.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 24/06/2020 08:49:47 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1201681

registered interest
date	09/06/2020
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	5G: Health Hazards
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 research his Department has commissioned on the effect of 5G technology on (a) older people and (b) young children.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	57263
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>Electromagnetic radiation is not new and research on the topic has found no credible evidence that radio waves, including those from 5G, have an impact on public health, including that of the elderly, young people, children and babies. Government is guided by Public Health England’s (PHE) independent advice, who are committed along with Ofcom to continually monitoring and assessing the evidence applicable to this and other radio technologies. Central to PHE’s advice are the guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The ICNIRP is formally recognised by the World Health Organisation and its guidelines underpin health protection policies at UK and European levels.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Ofcom continues to monitor the levels of electromagnetic radiation near mobile base stations, and in all cases, including the recent measurements taken near 5G-enabled base stations, the levels recorded were well below the limits for general public exposure outlined by the ICNIRP Guidelines. The highest level recorded was approximately 1.5% of these guidelines. While a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves under 5G is possible, such an increase would remain well within guidelines and is anticipated to have no consequence for public health.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>With regard to animals, electromagnetic radiation has the potential to impact insect movement, but there is currently no evidence that human-made electromagnetic radiation has population level impacts on insects. In 2015, UK researchers were involved in a major global review of the status and threats to wild and managed insect pollinators for the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). In their report, the team of leading scientists did not identify mobile phone signals as significant threats to insect populations.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman grouped question UIN 57264 57265 question first answered 16/06/2020 14:23:19 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1201682

registered interest
date	09/06/2020
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	5G: Health Hazards
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 assessment he has made of the effect of electro magnetic frequency radiation from 5G technology on (a) physical health and (b) mental health.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	57264
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>Electromagnetic radiation is not new and research on the topic has found no credible evidence that radio waves, including those from 5G, have an impact on public health, including that of the elderly, young people, children and babies. Government is guided by Public Health England’s (PHE) independent advice, who are committed along with Ofcom to continually monitoring and assessing the evidence applicable to this and other radio technologies. Central to PHE’s advice are the guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The ICNIRP is formally recognised by the World Health Organisation and its guidelines underpin health protection policies at UK and European levels.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Ofcom continues to monitor the levels of electromagnetic radiation near mobile base stations, and in all cases, including the recent measurements taken near 5G-enabled base stations, the levels recorded were well below the limits for general public exposure outlined by the ICNIRP Guidelines. The highest level recorded was approximately 1.5% of these guidelines. While a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves under 5G is possible, such an increase would remain well within guidelines and is anticipated to have no consequence for public health.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>With regard to animals, electromagnetic radiation has the potential to impact insect movement, but there is currently no evidence that human-made electromagnetic radiation has population level impacts on insects. In 2015, UK researchers were involved in a major global review of the status and threats to wild and managed insect pollinators for the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). In their report, the team of leading scientists did not identify mobile phone signals as significant threats to insect populations.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman grouped question UIN 57263 57265 question first answered 16/06/2020 14:23:20 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1201683

registered interest
date	09/06/2020
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	5G: Health Hazards
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 the Government has made of the potential effects of the high frequency of signals from 5G technology on (a) babies, (b) young people and (c) animals.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	57265
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>Electromagnetic radiation is not new and research on the topic has found no credible evidence that radio waves, including those from 5G, have an impact on public health, including that of the elderly, young people, children and babies. Government is guided by Public Health England’s (PHE) independent advice, who are committed along with Ofcom to continually monitoring and assessing the evidence applicable to this and other radio technologies. Central to PHE’s advice are the guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). The ICNIRP is formally recognised by the World Health Organisation and its guidelines underpin health protection policies at UK and European levels.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Ofcom continues to monitor the levels of electromagnetic radiation near mobile base stations, and in all cases, including the recent measurements taken near 5G-enabled base stations, the levels recorded were well below the limits for general public exposure outlined by the ICNIRP Guidelines. The highest level recorded was approximately 1.5% of these guidelines. While a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves under 5G is possible, such an increase would remain well within guidelines and is anticipated to have no consequence for public health.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>With regard to animals, electromagnetic radiation has the potential to impact insect movement, but there is currently no evidence that human-made electromagnetic radiation has population level impacts on insects. In 2015, UK researchers were involved in a major global review of the status and threats to wild and managed insect pollinators for the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). In their report, the team of leading scientists did not identify mobile phone signals as significant threats to insect populations.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman grouped question UIN 57263 57264 question first answered 16/06/2020 14:23:20 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1201684

registered interest
date	09/06/2020
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	Radio: 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 emergency funding his Department is making available to community radio stations throughout the UK to help prevent their closure as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	57266
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/06/2020 answer text <p>The Community Radio Fund was set up in 2005 and has an annual budget of £400,000, which is used to help support community radio stations across the UK. It is administered by Ofcom, and applications are assessed by an independent panel.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>For the financial year 2020-21, we have worked with Ofcom to use this Fund to provide emergency cash grants to help community radio stations to meet urgent liabilities and to keep themselves in business. Ofcom announced details of 81 awards on 4 June - allocating a significant proportion of the Fund’s budget for the year - and will be inviting applications for a further emergency funding round shortly to ensure that the full amount goes to those stations most in need of support at this time.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We are continuing to liaise with stakeholders across the sector regarding ways in which the Government can support community radio through Covid-19 and beyond.</p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 18/06/2020 10:56:22 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1201129

registered interest
date	08/06/2020
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	Tourism: 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 the Government has made of the economic effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the (a) overseas and (b) internal tourist trade; and what support he plans to provide to (i) York and (ii) other cities which are dependent on tourism.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	56053
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>We are aware that COVID-19 has significantly impacted the tourism industry. We remain in regular contact with outbound and domestic tourism stakeholders to closely monitor COVID-19’s economic effect on UK tourism, and continuously assess the impact.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>We have supported Destination Management Organisations - including in Yorkshire - to continue their vital business support roles via a £1.3 million VisitEngland scheme. Two Yorkshire Destination Management Organisations (Make it York and Welcome to Yorkshire) have combined received over £40,000 in support from the VisitEngland scheme.</p><p> </p><p>My Department has launched the Cultural Renewal Taskforce to help our sectors to safely reopen. To inform this taskforce, I chair a Visitor Economy Working Group which specifically focuses on developing guidance for restarting tourism activity.</p><p> </p><p>We will continue to engage with stakeholders to assess how we can most effectively support tourism’s recovery in cities across the country. We are actively considering all the recovery ideas suggested to us by stakeholders.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 16/06/2020 14:32:03 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1197978

registered interest
date	01/06/2020
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: Access
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 access to digital connectivity will he provide to ensure that those from lower socio-economic communities have equal access to broadband.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	52176
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/06/2020 answer text <p>The UK broadband market is very competitive with a variety of packages at different price points to meet the needs of different consumers. In addition, both BT and KCOM offer lower cost landline and broadband packages for those in receipt of qualifying state benefits.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government is also committed to improving broadband across the country to ensure that all communities have the access that they need, including those from lower socio-economic groups. We have introduced the broadband Universal Service Obligation, which gives everyone the right to request decent broadband providing at least 10 Mbps download speeds up to a Reasonable Cost Threshold of £3,400 per premise. In addition, we are committed to delivering even faster, nationwide gigabit capable broadband as soon as possible. We will be investing £5 billion to subsidise deployment to the least commercial 20% of premises in the country.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>In recognition of the particular challenges that communities are facing at the current time as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, the Government has also agreed a package of measures with the UK's fixed and mobile providers to support consumers, particularly the most vulnerable. As part of these commitments, providers have agreed to provide new and generous offers to their vulnerable customers, ranging from free mobile data boosts to free landline calls, and to lift all broadband data caps.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 17/06/2020 16:12:08 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1197981

registered interest
date	01/06/2020
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: Finance
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 his announcement of £150 million charity funding in the covid-19 press conference on 20 May 2020, how much of that funding is new money; and from which sources that money is derived.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	52177
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/06/2020 answer text <p>£71 million of the £150 million of funding announced on 20 May 2020 is new money. Government has worked with the dormant assets organisations to repurpose £79 million of their allocations in response to the crisis. Combined, the £150 million will support urgent work in England to tackle youth unemployment; expand access to emergency loans for civil society organisations; and help improve the availability of fair, affordable credit to people in vulnerable circumstances.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>This funding comes from the dormant assets scheme. The scheme enables banks and building societies to voluntarily transfer funds from dormant accounts. Dormant accounts are those that have not been touched for at least 15 years and where the bank or building society is unable to get in touch with the customer to reunite them with their money. Customers can reclaim their money at any time. Since its inception in 2011, over £745 million has been released to social or environmental causes through the scheme.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 11/06/2020 09:49:55 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1198703

registered interest
date	01/06/2020
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: Finance
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 small (a) national and (b) local charities specialising in loneliness can access the £5 million covid-19 loneliness grant fund.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	52180
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2020 answer text <p>As part of a major effort to tackle loneliness during the Covid-19 outbreak, on 13th May the government launched a £5m grant fund. This closed for applications on 29th May.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Applications were invited from national organisations and umbrella organisations able to fund local organisations in their networks. The grants will support them to adapt and continue their work to tackle loneliness and to deliver effective, targeted relief for those most at risk of loneliness as a result of Covid-19.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Loneliness is also a priority category of the £200m Coronavirus Community Support Fund provided by The National Lottery Community Fund, targeted at small and medium sized VCSE organisations to help them maintain and enhance services for vulnerable people affected by the current crisis.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 08/06/2020 12:03:10 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell

1198704

registered interest
date	01/06/2020
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: Voluntary Work
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 he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on enabling furloughed charity staff to (a) volunteer for their organisation, (b) volunteer for their organisation in a different role from that of their substantive work, (c) volunteer to assist with fundraising and (d) engage in raising funds for their organisation by participating in fundraising events akin to other members of the public.
tabling member constituency	York Central
tabling member printed	Rachael Maskell
uin	52181
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/06/2020 answer text <p>The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is working with other Government departments and the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector to identify areas where volunteers can contribute to the COVID-19 response.</p><p>To mitigate the risk of fraudulent claims and to protect individuals, the Government made it clear that under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, those furloughed cannot work or volunteer for their own organisation. If workers were allowed to volunteer for their employer, the employer could ask them to work in an effectively full time way while only paying 80% of the wages.</p><p>The Government recognises and values the role volunteers are playing in the Covid-19 response and their contribution to broader charitable causes; furloughed employees can take part in volunteer work, provided that it does not provide services or generate revenue for their employer or another company associated or linked to their employer.</p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 08/06/2020 12:00:45 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4471 label Biography information for Rachael Maskell