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1356196

registered interest
date	16/09/2021
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: Somerton and Frome
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to accelerate the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband across Somerton and Frome.
tabling member constituency	Somerton and Frome
tabling member printed	David Warburton
uin	50735
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>We are backing Project Gigabit with £5 billion so hard to reach communities are not left out. The constituency of Somerton and Frome falls within Phase 3 (Lot 6) of Project Gigabit. Somerton and Frome’s designation as a ‘Future Phase’ reflects the extensive gigabit delivery now contracted to take place across Devon and Somerset, including the extensive additional delivery now confirmed by Openreach following their announcement of their target to reach 25 million premises by 2026.</p><p>The last of Project Gigabit’s Phase 2 procurements start in late 2022 and we expect Phase 3 procurements to follow directly, with all areas under contract as soon as possible. Due to the dynamic nature of the UK telecoms market we will regularly review and respond to opportunities for future procurement wherever possible.</p><p>The Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) programme is delivering new gigabit-capable connections in Somerton and Frome via contracts with Wessex Internet and Truespeed which were awarded in December 2020.</p><p>Somerton and Frome is covered by Wessex Internet’s full fibre network for North and South Barrow, Babcary, Woolston, Queen Camel and Marston Magna. This particular project is nearing completion, with Wessex Internet being ready to connect customers in these areas from October 2021.</p><p>If it becomes clear that any premises will miss out from the UK’s broadband upgrade, Project Gigabit will make sure that they are included in its plans.</p><p>To accelerate delivery, premises in rural areas may also be in line for funding through the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, with up to £210m allocated to the scheme over the next four years to support hard to reach communities. The voucher scheme offers up to £1,500 for homes and £3,500 for businesses to help to cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband to people’s doorsteps when used as part of a group scheme. Home and business owners can check the eligibility of their address and then look up suppliers in their area by going to <a href="https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/" target="_blank">https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk/</a>.</p><p>Somerton and Frome has made good use of the scheme so far, seeing 698 voucher connections worth £1.1m, with a further 699 vouchers to be connected, totalling over £2.3m.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 21/09/2021 15:49:58 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4526 label Biography information for David Warburton

1356226

registered interest
date	16/09/2021
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	Channel Four Television: Privatisation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if her Department will make an assessment of the impact of privatising Channel 4 on the availability of distinctive British content.
tabling member constituency	Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
tabling member printed	Jamie Stone
uin	50746
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>The government has recently consulted on whether an alternative ownership model for Channel 4 (but one where it retains a public service remit) may be better for the broadcaster, and better for the country.</p><p>We want Channel 4 to continue to be a public service broadcaster, and we want it to continue to contribute socially, economically and culturally to life across the UK. But there is a wealth of evidence - including Ofcom’s recent report - on the future challenges facing our traditional linear TV broadcasters. Channel 4 is uniquely constrained in its ability to meet these challenges while it remains under public ownership - particularly because its access to capital and ability to pursue strategic partnership opportunities is limited.</p><p>Channel 4’s remit, and its wider social and cultural contributions to life in the UK, are issues we have consulted on. The consultation opened on 6 July, running for 10 weeks, before closing on 14 September. We are currently analysing responses to inform our policy-making decisions. Once we have answered the questions set out in the consultation, we will know what specific impacts to assess and will therefore be in a position to carry out an impact assessment.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 21/09/2021 15:53:36 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4612 label Biography information for Jamie Stone

1356354

registered interest
date	16/09/2021
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	Public Service Broadcasting: Wales
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 plans she has to promote Welsh cultural and language programming as part of her Department's planned changes to broadcasting requirements for public service broadcasters.
tabling member constituency	Ceredigion
tabling member printed	Ben Lake
uin	50752
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>The government is committed to the future of Welsh language broadcasting and recognises the significant cultural impact of programming in Welsh for Welsh speakers across the UK. That commitment will inform any changes made to broadcasting requirements for public service broadcasters.</p><p>The government is also currently determining the licence fee settlement with S4C which will provide it with sufficient funding to support its unique cultural and social position for Welsh Language speakers.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 21/09/2021 15:51:52 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4630 label Biography information for Ben Lake

1354862

registered interest
date	13/09/2021
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	Channel Four Television: Privatisation
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish an impact assessment ahead of the consultation on the privatisation of Channel 4; and what the evidential basis is that the privatisation will lead to more content investment and more jobs.
tabling member constituency	Brent Central
tabling member printed	Dawn Butler
uin	48162
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/09/2021 answer text <p>The government has recently consulted on whether an alternative ownership model for Channel 4 (but one where it retains a public service remit) may be better for the broadcaster, and better for the country.</p><p>We want Channel 4 to continue to be a public service broadcaster, and we want it to continue to contribute socially, economically and culturally to life across the UK. But there is a wealth of evidence - including Ofcom’s recent report - on the future challenges facing our traditional linear TV broadcasters. Linear TV viewing is down almost 60% amongst 16-25 year olds since 2010, whilst 16-34 year olds now spend almost twice as much time on YouTube and subscription VoD services than they do with broadcast content. There are now 315 channels, compared to 5 in 1982 when Channel 4 was established. Linear TV advertising revenues - which constituted <del class="ministerial">over 90</del><ins class="ministerial">74</ins>% of Channel 4’s revenue in 2020 - have declined across the sector at a compound annual rate of 2.5% since 2015.</p><p>Channel 4 is uniquely constrained in its ability to meet these challenges while it remains under public ownership - particularly because its access to capital and ability to pursue strategic partnership opportunities is limited.</p><p>Moving Channel 4 into private ownership could allow it to access new capital, take advantage of international opportunities, and create strategic partnerships only available through the private sector. A thriving, sustainable Channel 4 could offer the best prospects for long-term job creation and support to the wider creative economy.</p><p>Consulting on the broadcaster’s future is therefore about ensuring that Channel 4 can continue to contribute to the UK’s success in public service broadcasting for years to come, and how we ensure its ownership model best supports this aim.</p><p>The consultation opened on 6 July, running for 10 weeks, before closing on 14 September. We are currently analysing responses to our consultation, and evidence received through it, to inform our policy-making decisions. Once we have answered the questions set out in the consultation, we will know what specific impacts to assess and will therefore be in a position to carry out an impact assessment.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 21/09/2021 15:55:41 question first ministerially corrected 28/09/2021 10:52:34 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez previous answer version 22726 answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	1489 label Biography information for Dawn Butler

1355055

registered interest
date	13/09/2021
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	Gambling Act 2005 Review
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 his Department plans to publish the gambling review.
tabling member constituency	Sheffield Central
tabling member printed	Paul Blomfield
uin	48215
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2021 answer text <p>The Review of the Gambling Act 2005 was launched in December last year with the publication of a wide-ranging Call for Evidence. This closed on 31 March and received approximately 16,000 submissions. We are considering all the evidence we received carefully. The government aims to publish a White Paper setting out any conclusions and consulting on next steps by the end of the year.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 16/09/2021 16:19:49 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4058 label Biography information for Paul Blomfield

1354615

registered interest
date	10/09/2021
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	National Lottery
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 potential merits of new national lottery terminals offering additional services such as cash withdrawals.
tabling member constituency	Newton Abbot
tabling member printed	Anne Marie Morris
uin	46988
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/09/2021 answer text <p>The Gambling Commission is responsible for regulating the National Lottery, including the operator of the National Lottery and the operation of National Lottery terminals.</p><p>The Gambling Commission in its role as overseer of the National Lottery licence must ensure that the National Lottery is run with all due propriety, the interests of every participant are protected and, subject to these two duties, that good cause returns are maximised.</p><p>There is a wide network of approximately 44,000 retailers that sell National Lottery products across the country, ranging from large chains of supermarkets to independent newsagents.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 15/09/2021 15:46:59 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4249 label Biography information for Anne Marie Morris

1354262

registered interest
date	09/09/2021
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	Football: Reviews
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 progress his Department has made on delivering the fan-led review into football.
tabling member constituency	Ashfield
tabling member printed	Lee Anderson
uin	45926
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/09/2021 answer text <p>The Fan Led Review of Football Governance is moving at pace to reform our national game for the better.</p><p>The Review has heard over 100 hours of evidence from fan groups, clubs, and stakeholders - including from supporters representing over 130 football clubs; received over 170 submissions from groups, organisations and individuals; and over 20,000 responses from fans to an online survey seeking their views on what needs to change</p><p>The Review published its interim findings in July, and will publish its final report in the autumn.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 15/09/2021 11:29:06 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4743 label Biography information for Lee Anderson

1354293

registered interest
date	09/09/2021
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	Telephone Systems
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department has taken to help people without a broadband connection prepare for the closure of the public switched telephone network in 2025.
tabling member constituency	Hackney South and Shoreditch
tabling member printed	Dame Meg Hillier
uin	45815
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/09/2021 answer text <p>The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is privately owned, and the process for its closure is industry-led. The PSTN closure will be undertaken in a phased approach with areas shutting down over the coming years with the final exchange expected to turn off in 2025.</p><p>While PSTN withdrawal is an industry-led process, the Government and Ofcom are working together to ensure consumers and sectors are protected and prepared for the withdrawal process.</p><p>The PSTN network will be replaced with new All-IP technology - such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This technology is higher quality and more reliable than the existing PSTN network and will guarantee a better quality of service. All-IP requires a stable internet connection of approximately 0.5Mbps. Where it is not possible to deliver such a service to a premise, the service provider will be required to offer an alternative technological solution - such as Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SoGEA).</p><p>Ofcom has a statutory duty to further and protect the interest of consumers, including those who are vulnerable. As part of this duty, Ofcom has rules in place, known as general conditions, which all providers must follow, that mandate communication providers to have procedures and policies in place to identify and support vulnerable consumers.</p><p>Ofcom has also published a <a href="https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0034/198763/treating-vulnerable-customer-fairly-guide.pdf" target="_blank">Vulnerability Guide</a> for providers, setting out their expectations and good practice on how vulnerable telecoms consumers should be supported. This includes steps providers can take to identify vulnerable consumers, and an expectation that all providers implement specialist teams in order to provide extra support.</p><p>The telecoms industry - via the Broadband Stakeholder Group - have been collaborating on this issue, and in June 2020 launched a consumer-facing website as a resource to inform the public of the process. This website was developed with the support of telecoms companies, Ofcom and DCMS and is funded by TechUK. (<a href="https://www.futureofvoice.co.uk/" target="_blank">https://www.futureofvoice.co.uk/</a>)</p><p>If an individual is concerned about the PSTN withdrawal process, or would like further information, they should contact their telecoms service provider who will be able to provide specific support.</p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 14/09/2021 15:30:54 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	1524 label Biography information for Dame Meg Hillier

1354307

registered interest
date	09/09/2021
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	Culture Recovery Fund: Applications
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 his Department plans to provide support to smaller organisations that were unable to apply to the third round of the Culture Recovery Fund as a result of the shorter application window of 11 days.
tabling member constituency	Bury North
tabling member printed	James Daly
uin	45947
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/09/2021 answer text <p>Previous recipients of the Culture Recovery Fund in urgent need of CRF support who were unable to meet the deadline for Continuity Support can consider whether they meet the criteria for ACE’s Emergency Resource Support - which has been designed so that any eligible organisation in urgent need can access support - and make an application to that programme if appropriate. This ACE route is open to previous recipients and non-recipients, who can request Permission to Apply until 30 September.</p><p>The question refers to Arts Council England’s (ACE) application window, and therefore this answer likewise refers to ACE processes and to applicants who could have applied through ACE, rather than through the other DCMS Arms Length Bodies involved in delivering the Culture Recovery Fund. Different considerations apply for processes run by other Arms Length Bodies.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 15/09/2021 15:29:32 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4854 label Biography information for James Daly

1353750

registered interest
date	08/09/2021
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: Lotteries
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 progress his Department has made on the review of charity lottery reforms announced in January 2020; and when he expects the review to be concluded.
tabling member constituency	Shipley
tabling member printed	Philip Davies
uin	45087
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/09/2021 answer text <p>Increases to society lottery sales and prize limits came into force in July 2020, and we committed to reviewing their impact after 12 months.</p><p>We have received initial data from the Gambling Commission and will respond further in due course.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 16/09/2021 16:16:54 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	1565 label Biography information for Sir Philip Davies