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1299173

registered interest
date	03/03/2021
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	Television Licences: Older People
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 discussions he has had with stakeholders on (a) providing a free TV licence for people aged over 75 and (b) decriminalising licence evasion for people aged over 75.
tabling member constituency	Strangford
tabling member printed	Jim Shannon
uin	162603
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2021 answer text <p>The Secretary of State meets regularly with a range of stakeholders, including the BBC. All DCMS ministerial meetings are disclosed on gov.uk, and the most recent can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-1-july-to-30-september-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-ministerial-gifts-hospitality-travel-and-meetings-1-july-to-30-september-2020</a>.</p><p>The government remains deeply disappointed with the BBC's decision to restrict the over 75 licence fee concession to only those in receipt of pension credit. However, the Digital Economy Act 2017 provides that the future of the over-75s concession is the responsibility of the BBC, not the government. The BBC is also responsible for the collection and enforcement of the TV licence fee.</p><p>The government has said that the BBC must look at how it uses its substantial licence fee income to support older people. As part of the 2022 licence fee settlement negotiations, the Secretary of State has asked the BBC to set out any further plans it has to support those in vulnerable groups, including the elderly.</p><p>The government also remains concerned that a criminal sanction for TV licence evasion is increasingly disproportionate and unfair in a modern public service broadcasting system, and will keep the issue under active consideration while more work is done to understand the impact of alternative enforcement schemes.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 10/03/2021 13:41:34 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4131 label Biography information for Jim Shannon

1299254

registered interest
date	03/03/2021
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	Museums and Galleries: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will publish the evidence behind the Government's decision to allow aquaria and galleries that sell art to open as early as April 2021, but not museums and galleries.
tabling member constituency	Rhondda
tabling member printed	Chris Bryant
uin	162525
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2021 answer text <ul><li><p>The government published the roadmap on 22 February, which sets out a step-by-step plan to ease restrictions in England cautiously.</p></li><li><p>The design of the roadmap has been informed by the latest scientific evidence and seeks a balance between our key social and economic priorities, whilst preserving the health and safety of the country. The scientific evidence shows that opening too early or too quickly risks a further lockdown.</p></li><li><p>Under the roadmap, we seek to reopen outdoor elements of museums and galleries and aquariums in Step 2 (no earlier than 12th April), with indoor elements at these attractions opening at Step 3 (no earlier than 17th May).</p></li><li><p>Commercial art galleries can reopen in Step 2, when restrictions on non-essential retail are lifted.</p></li></ul><p> </p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 08/03/2021 17:05:37 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	1446 label Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant

1299335

registered interest
date	03/03/2021
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	Gymnastics: Disability
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the level of disabled access and opportunities in British Gymnastics at (a) youth and (b) adult level.
tabling member constituency	Ellesmere Port and Neston
tabling member printed	Justin Madders
uin	162638
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2021 answer text <p>Sport England’s Active Lives Adult and Children surveys provide information on activity levels across a variety of sports, including gymnastics, and include data on participation by disabled people. The latest reports can be found <a href="https://www.sportengland.org/know-your-audience/data/active-lives?section=access_the_reports" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Government recognises the importance of ensuring disabled access to sports facilities. Our sport strategy, Sporting Future, sets out a clear ambition to increase levels of physical activity, particularly amongst under-represented groups, including disabled people.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>This is reinforced in Sport England’s new strategy Uniting the Movement, which sets out their 10 year vision to transform lives and communities through sport and physical activity. The strategy seeks to tackle the inequalities seen in sport and physical activity and provide opportunities to people that have traditionally been left behind, including those with a disability, helping to remove barriers to activity.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Government is also currently in the process of recruiting a new cohort of Disability and Access Ambassadors, one of whom will focus on the Sport and Physical Activity sector. The ambassador will help to drive improvements in the accessibility and quality of services and facilities in the sector for disabled people, as consumers and employees.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 10/03/2021 16:58:54 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4418 label Biography information for Justin Madders

1299391

registered interest
date	03/03/2021
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: 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 much of the £5 billion funding for the gigabit broadband rollout announced in November 2020 will be spent in (a) 2021-22, (b) 2022-23, (c) 2023-24 and (d) 2024-25.
tabling member constituency	Newcastle upon Tyne Central
tabling member printed	Chi Onwurah
uin	162594
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2021 answer text <p>The government will continue to implement an ambitious programme of work to remove barriers to broadband deployment, and maximise coverage in the hardest to reach areas of the country through our £5 billion UK Gigabit programme.</p><p>DCMS has made significant progress to date with the support of the industry. Over 1 in 3 (34%) premises can now access gigabit-capable broadband, and we expect that gigabit broadband coverage will reach at least 50% during 2021.</p><p>The Spending Review 2020 (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spending-review-2020-documents/spending-review-2020#departmental-settlements" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spending-review-2020-documents/spending-review-2020#departmental-settlements</a>) provides further details on our planned year on year capital spend for 2021-22 to 2024-25, which totals £1.2 billion as part of the £5 billion UK Gigabit Programme. DCMS continues to work closely with industry to progress this programme and our year on year rollout plans for these areas.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p>2021-22</p></td><td><p>2022-23</p></td><td><p>2023-24</p></td><td><p>2024-2025</p></td><td><p>Total</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Gigabit Broadband (£ billion)</p></td><td><p>0.1</p></td><td><p>0.3</p></td><td><p>0.4</p></td><td><p>0.5</p></td><td><p>1.2</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 08/03/2021 17:14:58 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	4124 label Biography information for Chi Onwurah

1296771

registered interest
date	02/03/2021
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	Ofcom: Public Appointments
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for what reasons the Government is not required to seek the approval of the House of Commons on the appointment of a new chair of Ofcom.
tabling member constituency	Glasgow North
tabling member printed	Patrick Grady
uin	161797
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2021 answer text <p>The Ofcom Chair is appointed by the Secretary of State in line with the provisions of the Office of Communications Act 2002. Pre-appointment scrutiny by the House of Commons Select Committee for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is an important part of the public appointment process, once a preferred appointable candidate has been identified by the Secretary of State.</p><p>The government does not believe it is appropriate for the Committee to have the right to veto the appointment of the Ofcom Chair, or other similar public appointments, as the direct line of accountability and responsibility between the appointee and the Minister must be preserved.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale question first answered 09/03/2021 15:44:40 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4432 label Biography information for Patrick Grady

1296867

registered interest
date	02/03/2021
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: Coventry
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 support through the Culture Recovery Fund to the culture and heritage sector in Coventry .
tabling member constituency	Coventry North East
tabling member printed	Colleen Fletcher
uin	161779
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2021 answer text <p>Last year the government announced the unprecedented £1.57 billion support package for the culture sector, of which over £1 billion has now been allocated to over 3,800 arts and culture organisations across the country. We are proud to say that HMT have now announced in this week’s budget a further £300 million for the Culture Recovery Fund to continue to support key local and natural cultural organisations as audiences begin to return. This will continue to ensure a vibrant future for the culture sector as the nation recovers from the pandemic.</p><p>The Culture Recovery Fund is already supporting the arts and culture sector to survive the pandemic and continue operating. The further support announced at this week’s budget will allow museums, theatres and galleries to move towards reopening with optimism and support jobs up and down the country. Details on this additional funding will be published by DCMS in due course.</p><p>The culture and heritage sector in Coventry has so far been awarded over £6m across 17 organisations, including organisations such as the Belgrade Theatre Trust and the Kasbah Nightclub. They join a total of 289 organisations receiving funds in the wider West Midlands region.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Gosport answering member printed Caroline Dinenage question first answered 08/03/2021 16:41:41 answering member 4008 label Biography information for Dame Caroline Dinenage
tabling member	4378 label Biography information for Colleen Fletcher

1296868

registered interest
date	02/03/2021
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	Leisure Centres: 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 steps his Department has taken to support leisure centres in Coventry during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Coventry North East
tabling member printed	Colleen Fletcher
uin	161780
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 08/03/2021 answer text <p>Sports and physical activity are incredibly important for our physical and mental health, and are a vital weapon against coronavirus.</p><p>The National Leisure Recovery Fund seeks to support eligible public sector leisure centres to reopen to the public, giving the sport and physical activity sector the best chance of recovery to a position of sustainable operation over the medium term. A total of £100 million was available as a biddable fund to eligible local authorities in England. Coventry City Council will be notified shortly of the outcome of their application to the scheme.</p><p>Government has worked closely with the Local Government Association (LGA), ukactive, the District Councils' Network, Community Leisure UK, Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association and others to make sure the application and funding process is as fast and simple as possible.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 08/03/2021 17:21:06 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4378 label Biography information for Colleen Fletcher

1296878

registered interest
date	02/03/2021
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: Football
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 representatives of (a) the Football Association and (b) Camelot regarding the method of allocation used by the National League to determine the amount of money received by football clubs from the funding provided by the National Lottery’s promotional fund.
tabling member constituency	Camberwell and Peckham
tabling member printed	Ms Harriet Harman
uin	161661
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2021 answer text <p>In October 2020, the government was able to play a role in supporting the National League to start its season through brokering the unique £10 million promotional deal with The National Lottery.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Whilst the distribution of National Lottery support is a matter for the National League, the government was clear in supporting the deal that it expected the proceeds to be allocated sensibly.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 10/03/2021 17:02:08 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	150 label Biography information for Ms Harriet Harman

1296895

registered interest
date	02/03/2021
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	Betting Shops and Gaming: 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, pursuant to his Answer of 26 February 2021 to Question 153362, if he will make an assessment of the relative economic effect of re-opening (a) Adult Gaming Centres in Step 3 and (b) Licensed Betting Offices in Step 2 of the covid-19 roadmap.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	161854
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2021 answer text <p>The Government has designed the roadmap for reopening premises following careful consideration of the evidence and scientific advice. The roadmap strikes a balance between mitigating the social, health and economic impacts of closures and the need to avoid a resurgence of COVID-19 infections. It also takes account of the cumulative impact of easing restrictions and the need to assess the impact at each step. Under the current roadmap, all non-essential retail will open at Step 2, not before 12 April. Indoor entertainment and indoor leisure will open at Step 3, not before 17 May.</p><p>As the business of Adult Gaming Centres consists entirely of customers playing machines within the premises, they are considered to be entertainment and will open at Step 3. The customers of Licensed Betting Offices (LBOs) may enter the premises, place a bet and leave with a betting slip, a transaction more similar to purchasing goods in a shop. While LBOs will be permitted to open at Step 2, they will be subject to a number of additional restrictions as set out in the previous Tier 3 guidance. These include showing no live sport or racing and having no chairs, as well as early closure. Under normal circumstances LBOs are limited to offering a maximum of four gaming machines and only two may be made available under these restrictions.</p><p>In recognition of the impact of requiring some businesses to remain closed for a longer period, the Chancellor announced an enhanced package of support at the Budget, including Restart Grants of up to £18,000 per premises, specifically for those which must remain closed beyond Step 2.</p><p><strong></strong><br><br></p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale grouped question UIN 158944 159320 161855 163651 question first answered 18/03/2021 17:55:20 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel

1296896

registered interest
date	02/03/2021
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	Gaming: 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, pursuant to the Answer of 26 February 2021 to Question 153362, whether an assessment was made of the potential effect on competition in the high street gaming sector as a result of opening Licensed Betting Offices in Step 2 and Adult Gaming Centres in Step 3 of the covid-19 roadmap.
tabling member constituency	Leeds North West
tabling member printed	Alex Sobel
uin	161855
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 18/03/2021 answer text <p>The Government has designed the roadmap for reopening premises following careful consideration of the evidence and scientific advice. The roadmap strikes a balance between mitigating the social, health and economic impacts of closures and the need to avoid a resurgence of COVID-19 infections. It also takes account of the cumulative impact of easing restrictions and the need to assess the impact at each step. Under the current roadmap, all non-essential retail will open at Step 2, not before 12 April. Indoor entertainment and indoor leisure will open at Step 3, not before 17 May.</p><p>As the business of Adult Gaming Centres consists entirely of customers playing machines within the premises, they are considered to be entertainment and will open at Step 3. The customers of Licensed Betting Offices (LBOs) may enter the premises, place a bet and leave with a betting slip, a transaction more similar to purchasing goods in a shop. While LBOs will be permitted to open at Step 2, they will be subject to a number of additional restrictions as set out in the previous Tier 3 guidance. These include showing no live sport or racing and having no chairs, as well as early closure. Under normal circumstances LBOs are limited to offering a maximum of four gaming machines and only two may be made available under these restrictions.</p><p>In recognition of the impact of requiring some businesses to remain closed for a longer period, the Chancellor announced an enhanced package of support at the Budget, including Restart Grants of up to £18,000 per premises, specifically for those which must remain closed beyond Step 2.</p><p><strong></strong><br><br></p> answering member constituency Maldon answering member printed Mr John Whittingdale grouped question UIN 158944 159320 161854 163651 question first answered 18/03/2021 17:55:21 answering member 39 label Biography information for Sir John Whittingdale
tabling member	4658 label Biography information for Alex Sobel