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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
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
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
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
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
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
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

1713896

registered interest
date	25/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Voice over Internet Protocol: Local Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will publish a list of meetings her Department has had with local authorities on the switch off of the public switched telephone network since April 2023.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	23701
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>The Department has regular meetings with Local Authorities on this issue. That is in addition to frequent meetings with other relevant stakeholders, including industry and the signatories of the Charter.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 23702 question first answered 01/05/2024 10:05:36 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1713897

registered interest
date	25/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Voice over Internet Protocol
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will publish a list of her Department's meetings on the public switched telephone network Charter since January 2024.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	23702
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>The Department has regular meetings with Local Authorities on this issue. That is in addition to frequent meetings with other relevant stakeholders, including industry and the signatories of the Charter.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 23701 question first answered 01/05/2024 10:05:36 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1713898

registered interest
date	25/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Voice over Internet Protocol: Telemedicine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 22 April 2024 to Question 22261 on Voice Over Internet Protocol: Telemedicine, how many written updates from Communication Providers she has received on their approach to the migration from Public Switched Telephone Network to Voice over Internet Protocol since January 2024; and if she will publish updates received.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	23703
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/05/2024 answer text <p>I can confirm that extensive discussions with Communication Providers (CPs) are ongoing, with a formalised reporting system having recently been established and a first update expected in May. Separately, Ofcom has also agreed a formal incident reporting system with CPs, with the first update expected in July of this year.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 01/05/2024 10:10:09 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1713501

registered interest
date	24/04/2024
answering body	Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept id	216
answering dept short name	Science, Innovation and Technology
answering dept sort name	Science, Innovation and Technology
hansard heading	Telemedicine
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, when she plans to publish the Telecare National Action Plan.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Sir Chris Bryant
uin	23432
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/04/2024 answer text <p>The Department has now agreed a first version of the Telecare National Action Plan (TNAP) with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). The Plan is now being tested with key stakeholders including the telecoms sector, the telecare sector, and Ofcom, and we plan to publish it as soon as we are able.</p><p> </p><p>I do not propose to publish a list of meetings held by my department on the TNAP as this engagement is ongoing, but I can confirm that extensive discussions with stakeholders from the sectors outlined above is taking place.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 23433 question first answered 30/04/2024 10:37:15 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant