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1168942

registered interest
date	06/01/2020
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	Loneliness
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 his Department has made of the effectiveness of (a) the Government's loneliness strategy in reducing loneliness and (b) cross-departmental working to implement that strategy.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Scott Benton
uin	459
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2020 answer text <p>Government is committed to understanding the impact of its activity on loneliness and will use this insight to inform future decision-making. The 60 commitments made in the loneliness strategy vary widely and so learning is captured in different ways. Many of these commitments are still in progress and evaluation will emerge over time. For example, an independent evaluation of the £11.5m Building Connections Fund is underway, and the findings will be published from mid-2020 onwards.</p><p>The first annual report on government’s work on tackling loneliness will be published shortly, and will set out progress to date.</p><p>Cross-departmental working has continued to be effective, with close working between the nine departments involved to ensure successful implementation of the strategy.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 14/01/2020 17:25:10 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
tabling member	4793 label Biography information for Scott Benton

1168943

registered interest
date	06/01/2020
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	Loneliness: Christmas
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 her Department is taking with local authorities to promote schemes which tackle loneliness and social isolation at Christmas time.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Scott Benton
uin	460
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/01/2020 answer text <p>Government’s strategy on tackling loneliness stresses the important contribution of all parts of society, including local authorities, throughout the year not just at Christmas.</p><p>Government’s work with local authorities includes: working with three local authorities to pilot ways of making information about local activities and services addressing loneliness more easily available; and working with the Local Government Association and National Association of Local Councils to publish a comprehensive guide outlining how councils can create the right structures and conditions locally to tackle loneliness.</p><p>In addition, the Let’s Talk Loneliness communications campaign promotes many schemes across the country that bring people together. The campaign website hosts a toolkit of resources and case studies; these have been shared with a network of over 300 organisations and have been widely used.</p><p>The government has also established the £11.5m Building Connections Fund; 126 grants were made to successful applicants in December 2018. Projects are now underway, bringing people together across the country. On 15 October 2019 the Minister for Civil Society, Baroness Barran, announced a new £2 million fund to help organisations at the frontline of tackling loneliness across the country.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 15/01/2020 14:49:54 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
tabling member	4793 label Biography information for Scott Benton

1168944

registered interest
date	06/01/2020
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	Performing Arts: Children
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 her Department is taking to improve access for children in (a) Blackpool South constituency and (b) other deprived communities to (i) music, (ii) film, (iii) dance and (iv) theatre.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Scott Benton
uin	461
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2020 answer text <p>Arts Council England funds a number of national music and cultural education programmes across the country which aim to reach those from deprived communities. Alongside this, in 2019, five new Youth Performance Partnerships were launched to provide new opportunities for young people from areas of low cultural engagement and high levels of deprivation to experience high quality performances and to develop practical skills both on and off stage (including dance, art, music, creative writing, lighting, sound, costume and set design). And, as announced in our election Manifesto, we will also offer an Arts Premium to secondary schools to fund enriching activities for all pupils.</p><p>In Blackpool, programmes such as Curious Minds have supported the development of an established Local Cultural Education Partnership now led by Blackpool Teaching Schools Alliance which plays an important role in developing strong provision for children in Blackpool. In addition, Into Film, a UK-wide body funded by the government through the BFI, encourages children to engage with film culture through after-school film clubs. There are 8000 across the UK, including 35 in the Blackpool South constituency. Last year, the BFI held two BFI Film Academy taster sessions in the Blackpool area to encourage young people to consider a career in the industry, and also ran a discounted ticket scheme for disadvantaged schools across the country.</p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 14/01/2020 13:55:51 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
tabling member	4793 label Biography information for Scott Benton

1173852

registered interest
date	28/01/2020
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	Hotels: Internet
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the level of commission charged by online booking websites on (a) small hoteliers and (b) bookings for hotel accommodation; and whether his Department plans to review the regulatory framework in relation to the charging of that commission.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Scott Benton
uin	9154
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2020 answer text <p>My Department has not assessed the effect of the level of commission charged by online booking websites on either small hoteliers or bookings for hotel accommodation.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the UK's independent competition authority, is responsible for investigating markets where competition or consumer problems are detected. The CMA previously investigated the practices of hotel booking websites, reporting its conclusions in September 2019, and continues to monitor their compliance with consumer protection law in the sector.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Faversham and Mid Kent answering member printed Helen Whately question first answered 05/02/2020 15:59:28 answering member 4527 label Biography information for Helen Whately
tabling member	4793 label Biography information for Scott Benton

1180463

registered interest
date	25/02/2020
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: Beaches
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 support he is providing to help England Beach Soccer establish a northern beach soccer league.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Scott Benton
uin	20588
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/03/2020 answer text <p>The Government is committed to supporting people to get involved in sport and physical activity in whatever way best suits them. To date, Government has not invested in, or been approached for investment in, beach soccer.</p><p> </p><p>Subject to eligibility requirements, England Beach Soccer may be able to apply for funding from Sport England’s Small Grants Fund which provides amounts up to £10,000 for projects that help people to lead more active lives. It may also wish to explore making an application to the Football Foundation’s Grow the Game Fund.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 03/03/2020 12:56:30 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4793 label Biography information for Scott Benton

1182066

registered interest
date	02/03/2020
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	Hotels: Internet
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 make representations with his international counterparts and tourist industries overseas to online hotel booking websites on revising their practices on (a) brand jacking, (b) fear of missing out statements, (c) undercutting partner prices and (d) the online reviewing system.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Scott Benton
uin	23496
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2020 answer text <p>I will continue to meet regularly with stakeholders across the Tourism sector to discuss a range of issues.</p><p><br>The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) previously investigated the practices of hotel booking websites, reporting its conclusions in September 2019. Following this, 25 major hotel booking sites signed up to the CMA’s sector-wide principles for providing online accommodation booking services. The CMA continues to monitor compliance with consumer protection law in the sector.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 10/03/2020 13:05:14 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4793 label Biography information for Scott Benton

1182749

registered interest
date	04/03/2020
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	Tourism: 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 plans he has to support (a) bed and breakfasts, (b) guest houses and (c) hotels in coastal towns in the event of reduced tourism as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Scott Benton
uin	25200
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2020 answer text <p>We are aware that the coronavirus outbreak is impacting businesses across many industries.</p><p>I regularly engage with stakeholders in the tourism sector on this developing issue. My Department and VisitBritain have organised two meetings between the industry and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer. I will continue to monitor its impact on tourism businesses across the country and would urge tourism businesses to share information with VisitBritain.</p><p>Measures announced in the recent Budget relating to rates relief will also assist SMEs in the hospitality and leisure space.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 12/03/2020 11:04:57 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4793 label Biography information for Scott Benton

1182759

registered interest
date	04/03/2020
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
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 he is taking to work with the (a) English Football League, (b) Premier League and (c) Football Association to promote sustainable (i) financial planning and (ii) good governance in football league clubs.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Scott Benton
uin	25201
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/03/2020 answer text <p>Football clubs are the heart of local communities, they have unique social value and many with a great history. It is vital they are protected.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>This government is committed to undertaking a fan led review of football governance, which will include consideration of the Owners’ and Directors’ test, and will work closely with the football authorities as we decide the scope and structure of the review.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>My predecessor also recently met with the EFL to discuss the progress of their own review into club governance.</p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 12/03/2020 11:09:25 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4793 label Biography information for Scott Benton

1185418

registered interest
date	16/03/2020
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	Coastal Areas and Tourism: 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 assessment he has made of the potential effect of covid-19 on (a) the UK tourism industry and (b) coastal communities; and if he will make a statement.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Scott Benton
uin	30206
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 26/03/2020 answer text <p>We are aware that the COVID-19 outbreak is significantly impacting the tourism industry and connected communities, including those in coastal regions.</p><p>My Department regularly engages with stakeholders in the tourism and events sector and across Government on this developing issue. We will continue to monitor its impact on the sector and would urge businesses from all parts of the country to share information with VisitBritain via their Tourism Industry Emergency Response group.</p><p>The Chancellor has announced unprecedented support for business and workers to protect them against the current economic emergency. This includes a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, tax relief and cash grant measures, plus £330bn worth of government backed and guaranteed loans to support businesses across the UK.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Mid Worcestershire answering member printed Nigel Huddleston question first answered 26/03/2020 14:42:29 answering member 4407 label Biography information for Nigel Huddleston
tabling member	4793 label Biography information for Scott Benton

1186212

registered interest
date	18/03/2020
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: Lancashire
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 is taking to expand the availability of gigabit-capable broadband throughout (a) Lancashire and (b) Blackpool.
tabling member constituency	Blackpool South
tabling member printed	Scott Benton
uin	31594
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/04/2020 answer text <p>The Government is committed to delivering nationwide gigabit capable broadband as soon as possible. Much progress has already been made, with full fibre coverage doubling in the past year to reach 10% of UK premises, according to the latest Ofcom figures.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>This Government will continue to take action to remove barriers to network rollout and to ensure that those in the hardest to reach areas are not left behind. We have introduced legislation to make it easier for operators to deploy broadband in blocks of flats, will be legislating to mandate gigabit connectivity in new builds and will invest £5 billion of funding to support gigabit rollout in hard to reach areas.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Lancashire has 97.8% superfast coverage, up from 37% in January 2011. In Blackpool, superfast coverage is 99.5%, compared to the UK average of 96%. Blackpool City Council was successful in their Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) Wave 2 bid for funding, and were allocated £3.1 million to upgrade its fibre presence across the city using 20km of the existing duct tramway. A separate company, ITS Technology Group, has extended its gigabit-capable broadband services to the Fylde Coast by harnessing the local, publicly owned Cooperative Network Infrastructure (CNI). This is currently live in Blackpool and is expanding across the Fylde coast.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Boston and Skegness answering member printed Matt Warman question first answered 01/04/2020 14:47:50 answering member 4361 label Biography information for Matt Warman
tabling member	4793 label Biography information for Scott Benton