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1715013

registered interest
date	30/04/2024
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	Broadband: Wigan
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 take steps to encourage broadband provider competition in Wigan.
tabling member constituency	Wigan
tabling member printed	Lisa Nandy
uin	24229
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2024 answer text <p>Having a competitive fixed telecoms market has been integral to the government’s strategy to deliver nationwide coverage of gigabit-capable broadband. Competition keeps prices low and standards high for consumers, whilst encouraging companies to build quickly. In the 2018 Future Telecoms Infrastructure review and our 2019 Statement of Strategic Priorities to Ofcom, we brought forward proposals to make it easier for new firms to enter the market, such as granting competitors access to Openreach’s national duct and poles network.</p><p> </p><p>Ofcom is responsible for regulating competition in the broadband market. In 2021, Ofcom published its Wholesale Fixed Telecoms Market Review (WFTMR), which set out its decisions for regulation of the fixed telecoms market until 2026. The WFTMR makes explicit mention of the Government’s desire to support market entry and expansion by alternative network operators and is fulfilling this by, for example, providing competitors with effective access to Openreach’s ducts and poles.</p><p> </p><p>Thanks to these measures to incentivise competition, there are now over 80 companies investing over £40bn to connect premises all over the UK. Gigabit coverage in Wigan constituency is currently at 92% (<a href="https://labs.thinkbroadband.com/local/E14001039" target="_blank">Think Broadband</a>), which is up from just 1% in December 2019.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 07/05/2024 09:18:40 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4082 label Biography information for Lisa Nandy

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

1714042

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	Arts: Brexit
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU on (a) venues hosting international artists and (b) other businesses and organisations in the cultural sector.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	23918
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2024 answer text <p>His Majesty’s Government is committed to supporting touring artists, and the music industry more widely, to adapt to new arrangements following our departure from the EU, and we have worked with the sector and directly with Member States to provide clarity and support.</p><p>The UK’s rules for touring creative professionals are more generous than those in many EU Member States.</p><p>The UK’s domestic rules allow musicians, entertainers and artists (and their technical staff) from non-visa national countries, such as EU Member States and the US, to perform in the UK without requiring a visa, and the UK does not have work-permits. We have also decoupled the provisions for creative and sporting professionals in the Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) route, to recognise the unique requirements each group has.</p><p>We are committed to supporting the UK’s live music venues and grassroots sector, the research and development centres of our world-leading music sector. That is why we have provided an additional £5m to the highly successful Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, taking our total investment through the fund to almost £15m. This will enable venues to increase support for young and emerging artists, improve equipment and physical infrastructure, and support venues to become more financially resilient and develop new income streams.</p><p>Music venues, other aspects of the night-time economy and some cultural venues are also currently eligible for the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief, with a 75% relief up to a cash cap limit of £110,000 per business. This relief was extended for a further year during the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.</p><p>Ministers continue to engage with the sector to discuss the challenges facing grassroots music venues and explore potential opportunities to provide further support. DCMS actively supports sector-led initiatives such as increased support for grassroots music venues from larger events and venues.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 23919 question first answered 07/05/2024 08:20:21 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

1714043

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	Music Venues and Night-time Economy
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 with (a) local authorities and (b) industry stakeholders to help increase the sustainability of (i) live music venues and (ii) other aspects of the night-time economy.
tabling member constituency	Slough
tabling member printed	Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi
uin	23919
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2024 answer text <p>His Majesty’s Government is committed to supporting touring artists, and the music industry more widely, to adapt to new arrangements following our departure from the EU, and we have worked with the sector and directly with Member States to provide clarity and support.</p><p>The UK’s rules for touring creative professionals are more generous than those in many EU Member States.</p><p>The UK’s domestic rules allow musicians, entertainers and artists (and their technical staff) from non-visa national countries, such as EU Member States and the US, to perform in the UK without requiring a visa, and the UK does not have work-permits. We have also decoupled the provisions for creative and sporting professionals in the Permitted Paid Engagement (PPE) route, to recognise the unique requirements each group has.</p><p>We are committed to supporting the UK’s live music venues and grassroots sector, the research and development centres of our world-leading music sector. That is why we have provided an additional £5m to the highly successful Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, taking our total investment through the fund to almost £15m. This will enable venues to increase support for young and emerging artists, improve equipment and physical infrastructure, and support venues to become more financially resilient and develop new income streams.</p><p>Music venues, other aspects of the night-time economy and some cultural venues are also currently eligible for the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief, with a 75% relief up to a cash cap limit of £110,000 per business. This relief was extended for a further year during the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement.</p><p>Ministers continue to engage with the sector to discuss the challenges facing grassroots music venues and explore potential opportunities to provide further support. DCMS actively supports sector-led initiatives such as increased support for grassroots music venues from larger events and venues.</p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez grouped question UIN 23918 question first answered 07/05/2024 08:20:21 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	4638 label Biography information for Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

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

1713884

registered interest
date	25/04/2024
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	Veterans: Radiation Exposure
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2024 to Question 21527 on Veterans: Radiation Exposure, whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the preparation of an instrument under the terms of section 3 of the Public Records Act 1958 to retain the (a) ES and (b) AB series of files that were withdrawn from the National Archives in 2018 for up to 10 years.
tabling member constituency	South Holland and The Deepings
tabling member printed	Sir John Hayes
uin	23675
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 07/05/2024 answer text <p>The Secretary of State has had no such discussions with her Cabinet colleagues. The majority of AB and ES files which were withdrawn in 2018 have been released back to The National Archives following review.</p><p>Any decision by the Ministry of Defence to retain records will be taken once the review has been completed and will require the approval of the Secretary of State following advice from the Advisory Council on National Records and Archives.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> answering member constituency Hornchurch and Upminster answering member printed Julia Lopez question first answered 07/05/2024 08:12:58 answering member 4647 label Biography information for Julia Lopez
tabling member	350 label Biography information for Sir John Hayes