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1714644

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department (a) has and (b) plans to make an assessment of the potential impact of micro-transactions in video games on levels of spending among children and young people.
	tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
	tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	24075
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government monitors the impact of microtransactions in video games on players, including children and young people. In 2020, we launched a call for evidence on loot boxes in video games which found an association between purchasing loot boxes and problem gambling, although no causal link has been found.</p><p>We have since <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/loot-boxes-in-video-games-update-on-improvements-to-industry-led-protections" target="_blank">welcomed </a>new industry-led <a href="https://ukie.org.uk/loot-boxes" target="_blank">guidance</a> to improve protections for players and meet the following Government objectives that:</p><ul><li><p>purchases of loot boxes should be unavailable to all children and young people unless and until they are enabled by a parent or guardian; and</p></li><li><p>all players should have access to and be aware of spending controls and transparent information to support safe and responsible gaming.</p></li></ul><p>We are working with industry and academics to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the new guidance and will provide an update following the 12-month implementation period, and independent academic scrutiny. We continue to keep our position on possible future legislative options under review. We monitor developments in other international jurisdictions, including Belgium, although no recent discussions with Belgian counterparts have taken place.</p><p>Whilst the new guidance relates to paid loot boxes specifically, a number of the measures are relevant to in-game microtransactions more broadly, particularly for children and young people. This includes driving awareness of and uptake of parental controls, and running a three-year £1 million public information campaign to provide information to players and parents about safe and responsible play</p><p>We have also published a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/video-games-research-framework/video-games-research-framework" target="_blank">Video Games Research Framework</a> to improve the evidence base on the impacts of video games, including microtransactions and player spending. The Framework outlines the research topics and priorities which we have identified as core areas in need of further research. This includes better understanding of the impact of different monetisation features on players’ experiences, and the effectiveness of mechanisms to mitigate the risk of problematic spending behaviours.</p><p>While some microtransactions share similarities with traditional gambling products, we view the ability to legitimately cash out rewards as an important distinction. In particular, the prize does not normally have real world monetary value outside of the game, and its primary utility is to enhance the in-game experience. The Gambling Commission has shown that it can and will take robust enforcement action where the trading of items obtained from in-game microtransactions does amount to unlicensed gambling. Microtransactions within video games - including loot boxes - are also subject to consumer protection legislation that protects against misleading or aggressive marketing.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 24076 24077 24078 question first answered 02/05/2024 15:34:21 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1714646

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of micro-transactions in video games on gambling behaviours among children and young people.
	tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
	tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	24076
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government monitors the impact of microtransactions in video games on players, including children and young people. In 2020, we launched a call for evidence on loot boxes in video games which found an association between purchasing loot boxes and problem gambling, although no causal link has been found.</p><p>We have since <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/loot-boxes-in-video-games-update-on-improvements-to-industry-led-protections" target="_blank">welcomed </a>new industry-led <a href="https://ukie.org.uk/loot-boxes" target="_blank">guidance</a> to improve protections for players and meet the following Government objectives that:</p><ul><li><p>purchases of loot boxes should be unavailable to all children and young people unless and until they are enabled by a parent or guardian; and</p></li><li><p>all players should have access to and be aware of spending controls and transparent information to support safe and responsible gaming.</p></li></ul><p>We are working with industry and academics to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the new guidance and will provide an update following the 12-month implementation period, and independent academic scrutiny. We continue to keep our position on possible future legislative options under review. We monitor developments in other international jurisdictions, including Belgium, although no recent discussions with Belgian counterparts have taken place.</p><p>Whilst the new guidance relates to paid loot boxes specifically, a number of the measures are relevant to in-game microtransactions more broadly, particularly for children and young people. This includes driving awareness of and uptake of parental controls, and running a three-year £1 million public information campaign to provide information to players and parents about safe and responsible play</p><p>We have also published a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/video-games-research-framework/video-games-research-framework" target="_blank">Video Games Research Framework</a> to improve the evidence base on the impacts of video games, including microtransactions and player spending. The Framework outlines the research topics and priorities which we have identified as core areas in need of further research. This includes better understanding of the impact of different monetisation features on players’ experiences, and the effectiveness of mechanisms to mitigate the risk of problematic spending behaviours.</p><p>While some microtransactions share similarities with traditional gambling products, we view the ability to legitimately cash out rewards as an important distinction. In particular, the prize does not normally have real world monetary value outside of the game, and its primary utility is to enhance the in-game experience. The Gambling Commission has shown that it can and will take robust enforcement action where the trading of items obtained from in-game microtransactions does amount to unlicensed gambling. Microtransactions within video games - including loot boxes - are also subject to consumer protection legislation that protects against misleading or aggressive marketing.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 24075 24077 24078 question first answered 02/05/2024 15:34:21 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1714649

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with her Belgian counterpart on regulating micro-transactions in video games as gambling.
	tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
	tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	24077
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government monitors the impact of microtransactions in video games on players, including children and young people. In 2020, we launched a call for evidence on loot boxes in video games which found an association between purchasing loot boxes and problem gambling, although no causal link has been found.</p><p>We have since <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/loot-boxes-in-video-games-update-on-improvements-to-industry-led-protections" target="_blank">welcomed </a>new industry-led <a href="https://ukie.org.uk/loot-boxes" target="_blank">guidance</a> to improve protections for players and meet the following Government objectives that:</p><ul><li><p>purchases of loot boxes should be unavailable to all children and young people unless and until they are enabled by a parent or guardian; and</p></li><li><p>all players should have access to and be aware of spending controls and transparent information to support safe and responsible gaming.</p></li></ul><p>We are working with industry and academics to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the new guidance and will provide an update following the 12-month implementation period, and independent academic scrutiny. We continue to keep our position on possible future legislative options under review. We monitor developments in other international jurisdictions, including Belgium, although no recent discussions with Belgian counterparts have taken place.</p><p>Whilst the new guidance relates to paid loot boxes specifically, a number of the measures are relevant to in-game microtransactions more broadly, particularly for children and young people. This includes driving awareness of and uptake of parental controls, and running a three-year £1 million public information campaign to provide information to players and parents about safe and responsible play</p><p>We have also published a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/video-games-research-framework/video-games-research-framework" target="_blank">Video Games Research Framework</a> to improve the evidence base on the impacts of video games, including microtransactions and player spending. The Framework outlines the research topics and priorities which we have identified as core areas in need of further research. This includes better understanding of the impact of different monetisation features on players’ experiences, and the effectiveness of mechanisms to mitigate the risk of problematic spending behaviours.</p><p>While some microtransactions share similarities with traditional gambling products, we view the ability to legitimately cash out rewards as an important distinction. In particular, the prize does not normally have real world monetary value outside of the game, and its primary utility is to enhance the in-game experience. The Gambling Commission has shown that it can and will take robust enforcement action where the trading of items obtained from in-game microtransactions does amount to unlicensed gambling. Microtransactions within video games - including loot boxes - are also subject to consumer protection legislation that protects against misleading or aggressive marketing.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 24075 24076 24078 question first answered 02/05/2024 15:34:21 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1714650

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to increase regulation of micro-transactions in video games.
	tabling member constituency	Lanark and Hamilton East
	tabling member printed	Angela Crawley
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	24078
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2024 answer text <p>The Government monitors the impact of microtransactions in video games on players, including children and young people. In 2020, we launched a call for evidence on loot boxes in video games which found an association between purchasing loot boxes and problem gambling, although no causal link has been found.</p><p>We have since <a href="https://www.gov.uk/guidance/loot-boxes-in-video-games-update-on-improvements-to-industry-led-protections" target="_blank">welcomed </a>new industry-led <a href="https://ukie.org.uk/loot-boxes" target="_blank">guidance</a> to improve protections for players and meet the following Government objectives that:</p><ul><li><p>purchases of loot boxes should be unavailable to all children and young people unless and until they are enabled by a parent or guardian; and</p></li><li><p>all players should have access to and be aware of spending controls and transparent information to support safe and responsible gaming.</p></li></ul><p>We are working with industry and academics to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the new guidance and will provide an update following the 12-month implementation period, and independent academic scrutiny. We continue to keep our position on possible future legislative options under review. We monitor developments in other international jurisdictions, including Belgium, although no recent discussions with Belgian counterparts have taken place.</p><p>Whilst the new guidance relates to paid loot boxes specifically, a number of the measures are relevant to in-game microtransactions more broadly, particularly for children and young people. This includes driving awareness of and uptake of parental controls, and running a three-year £1 million public information campaign to provide information to players and parents about safe and responsible play</p><p>We have also published a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/video-games-research-framework/video-games-research-framework" target="_blank">Video Games Research Framework</a> to improve the evidence base on the impacts of video games, including microtransactions and player spending. The Framework outlines the research topics and priorities which we have identified as core areas in need of further research. This includes better understanding of the impact of different monetisation features on players’ experiences, and the effectiveness of mechanisms to mitigate the risk of problematic spending behaviours.</p><p>While some microtransactions share similarities with traditional gambling products, we view the ability to legitimately cash out rewards as an important distinction. In particular, the prize does not normally have real world monetary value outside of the game, and its primary utility is to enhance the in-game experience. The Gambling Commission has shown that it can and will take robust enforcement action where the trading of items obtained from in-game microtransactions does amount to unlicensed gambling. Microtransactions within video games - including loot boxes - are also subject to consumer protection legislation that protects against misleading or aggressive marketing.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 24075 24076 24077 question first answered 02/05/2024 15:34:21 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4469 label Biography information for Angela Crawley

1714072

	registered interest
	date	26/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	GB News: Political Impartiality
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with Ofcom on (a) the impartiality of and (b) sanctions on GB News.
	tabling member constituency	North Ayrshire and Arran
	tabling member printed	Patricia Gibson
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	23882
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>Ministers and officials have regular discussions with Ofcom on a range of issues. Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code sets out rules to ensure that broadcast news is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality. The Government is committed to a free and independent media and does not interfere with Ofcom's regulatory or operational decisions, including how broadcast content is regulated.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 23883 question first answered 01/05/2024 14:12:35 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4435 label Biography information for Patricia Gibson

1714073

	registered interest
	date	26/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Broadcasting: Political Impartiality
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with Ofcom on impartiality rules in broadcasting.
	tabling member constituency	North Ayrshire and Arran
	tabling member printed	Patricia Gibson
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	23883
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>Ministers and officials have regular discussions with Ofcom on a range of issues. Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code sets out rules to ensure that broadcast news is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality. The Government is committed to a free and independent media and does not interfere with Ofcom's regulatory or operational decisions, including how broadcast content is regulated.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 23882 question first answered 01/05/2024 14:12:35 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4435 label Biography information for Patricia Gibson

1713456

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Charity Commission: Consultants
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much the Charity Commission has spent on external consultancies in the last five years.
	tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
	tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	23372
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2024 answer text <p>In the last five years the Charity Commission has spent £466,494 on external consultancies. The Charity Commission has a strong framework in place for its use of consultants in delivering value for money. The Charity Commission’s Annual Report and Accounts are published online each financial year; these reports included spending figures for consultancy services. <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64a7cc42c531eb001364fffe/Charity_Commission_Annual_Report_and_Accounts.pdf" target="_blank">The most recently published Report</a> is from 2022-23. The full Report and Accounts for 2023-24 financial year are due to be published in the Summer of 2024.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 02/05/2024 13:19:00 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes

1713599

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Youth Work: Employment Schemes
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help support people who have trained as youth workers to enter the youth workforce.
	tabling member constituency	Mansfield
	tabling member printed	Ben Bradley
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	23564
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2024 answer text <p>DCMS funds a number of programmes that are stimulating demand for youth workers, including through our National Youth Guarantee, which is backed by over £500 million of investment into youth services.</p><p>In addition, the updated statutory guidance for local authorities’ youth provision puts an emphasis on the importance of youth work practice and on employing or encouraging the employment of individuals with youth work skills and qualifications.</p><p>To support the youth workforce, DCMS funds the National Youth Agency to set professional standards, qualifications and a curriculum for youth work, including a youth work apprenticeship and free-to-access training. DCMS also funds youth worker bursaries which allows youth workers and volunteers to gain qualifications in youth work. To date, DCMS has funded over 2,000 bursaries and we are providing £1,075,000 for over 700 adults who would otherwise be unable to undertake youth work qualifications due to cost.</p> answering member constituency Pudsey answering member printed Stuart Andrew question first answered 02/05/2024 13:17:10 answering member 4032 label Biography information for Stuart Andrew
	tabling member	4663 label Biography information for Ben Bradley

1713657

	registered interest
	date	24/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Gambling: Video Games
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department is taking steps to help (a) mitigate the risks associated with loot boxes in video games and (b) increase awareness of the potential dangers associated with gambling for younger users.
	tabling member constituency	Belfast South
	tabling member printed	Claire Hanna
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	23627
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 02/05/2024 answer text <p>Following the Government <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/loot-boxes-in-video-games-call-for-evidence/outcome/government-response-to-the-call-for-evidence-on-loot-boxes-in-video-games" target="_blank">response </a>to the call for evidence on loot boxes in video games, the Government has welcomed new industry-led <a href="https://ukie.org.uk/loot-boxes" target="_blank">guidance</a> to improve protections for players.</p><p>We are now working closely with the industry and academics to ensure robust evaluation of implementation and the efficacy of new measures in meeting the Government’s objectives that:</p><ul><li><p>purchases of loot boxes should be unavailable to all children and young people unless and until they are enabled by a parent or guardian; and,</p></li><li><p>all players should have access to and be aware of spending controls and transparent information to support safe and responsible gaming.</p></li></ul><p>We will provide an update following the 12-month implementation period and independent academic scrutiny of the guidance's implementation and efficacy.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 02/05/2024 13:15:24 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4827 label Biography information for Claire Hanna

1713028

	registered interest
	date	23/04/2024
	answering body	Department for Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept id	217
	answering dept short name	Culture, Media and Sport
	answering dept sort name	Culture, Media and Sport
	hansard heading	Video Games
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of prohibiting the practice of intentionally rendering commercial videogames inoperable when support ends.
	tabling member constituency	St Ives
	tabling member printed	Derek Thomas
	type	WrittenParliamentaryQuestion
	uin	23259
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/04/2024 answer text <p>The Government recognises recent concerns raised by video games users regarding the long-term operability of purchased products. Video games publishers must comply with existing consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 (CPRs).</p><p>The CPRs protect consumers from being given false or misleading information by businesses. If consumers purchased a game on the understanding that it would continue to be playable, even when support ends, then the CPRs may provide recourse.</p><p>Under the CRA, consumers have clear rights when buying digital content, such as video games, supplied in digital form. Any digital content the consumer has paid for must be as described and of a satisfactory quality. If digital content does not meet these requirements, the consumer is entitled to a repair or replacement, or a price reduction or refund if the fault cannot be fixed. The CRA has a time limit of up to six years after a breach of contract during which a consumer can take legal action.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 26/04/2024 08:58:31 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
	tabling member	4532 label Biography information for Derek Thomas