The process of awarding the licence to run the National Lottery is governed by the National Lottery etc. Act (1993)\u200b\u200b. Under the Act, the Gambling Commission has a duty to ensure that any person who either runs or benefits from the running of the National Lottery is fit and proper and that the Licensee\u2019s operation meets high standards of propriety. The award of the licence is distinct from an acquisition - at no point is the operator appointed to run the lottery the owner of the National Lottery as an asset. The 4th National Lottery licence is due to begin in 2024.<\/p>
During the competition to run the 4th National Lottery licence, the Commission carried out fit and proper tests on all 4 final stage applicants. Fit and proper checks examine the identity, integrity, criminality and financial standing of those who run, or benefit from running, the National Lottery, or are applying to do so. As part of its duties under the Act, the Commission cannot award the licence unless it is satisfied that the proposed licensee is fit and proper. The Commission is also required to revoke a licence if it becomes satisfied that the licensee is no longer, or indeed never was, fit and proper.<\/p>
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Gambling Commission, as a responsible regulator, sought assurances that none of the final stage applicants were impacted by sanctions against the Russian regime. The Commission was satisfied that this was the case.<\/p>
In addition, following the announcement of Allwyn as the preferred applicant in March 2022, standard vetting checks (Baseline Personnel Security Standard or BPSS level) are being carried out as planned, on behalf of the Commission, by UK Security Vetting on key people connected with the proposal. These include Qualifying Direct Shareholders, which is any person who holds at least 5% interest in the licensee. Full details of what is included in a BPSS level check is outlined on the UKSV website<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3986", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Collins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Folkestone and Hythe"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Collins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-07-25T08:01:10.183Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "National Lottery: Licensing"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether the Gambling Commission takes into account potential national security implications when awarding National Lottery licences.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4064", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mr Steve Baker"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wycombe"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mr Steve Baker"}
], "uin" : "38645"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490163", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490163/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The UK Government continues to monitor the mobile telecommunications market and promote a competitive marketplace that serves the interests of consumers. Some operators, such as Virgin Media O2, continue to offer surcharge free roaming to consumers, whilst others offer low cost packages. We continue to advise that consumers check with their operators before travelling abroad to the EU.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3986", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Damian Collins"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Folkestone and Hythe"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Damian Collins"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-07-21T09:14:00.263Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Mobile Phones: Surcharges"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she is taking steps to (a) reduce and (b) prevent roaming charges for UK travellers using smartphones in the EU.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1500", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Theresa Villiers"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Chipping Barnet"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Theresa Villiers"}
], "uin" : "38552"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490228", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490228/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Birmingham City Council is responsible for Powell\u2019s Pool as part of the wider operation, management and maintenance of Sutton Park. Birmingham City Council has been regularly monitoring the water quality in Powell\u2019s Pool and sharing this data with the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee. Any funding allocated to ensuring the pool meets acceptable water quality safety standards for the Games comes from Birmingham City Council\u2019s existing budgets and not from the budget for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4407", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nigel Huddleston"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Worcestershire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nigel Huddleston"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-07-25T08:20:38.917Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Commonwealth Games 2022: Pollution Control"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how much funding has been allocated to Powell's Pool to ensure that it meets acceptable water quality safety standards for the Commonwealth Games Triathlon and Paratriathlon events.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1591", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Tim Farron"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Westmorland and Lonsdale"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Tim Farron"}
], "uin" : "38600"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490263", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490263/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The creative industries are a vital part of the UK\u2019s economy, worth approximately £116 billion in Gross Value Added and employing over 2 million people across the country. They were identified as one of four key sectors in the Plan for Growth to encourage recovery following the pandemic, and as a result we are developing a Creative Industries Sector Vision. The Sector Vision will set out our 2030 vision to promote inclusive growth, support the development of the creative workforce, maximise the wider impacts of the sector, and deliver on the government\u2019s levelling up, Global Britain and net zero objectives.<\/p> We recognise the need for a network of flexible and accessible routes into the creative industries, from early years education to adult reskilling, for people of all backgrounds, and the Sector Vision will look closely at these issues. We also recognise the importance of job quality to ensure broad pathways into the creative industries, which is why we are working with the Creative Industries Policy & Evidence Centre to deliver a Review into Job Quality and Working Practice in the Creative Industries. This will be published in the Autumn and has involved consultation with creative trade unions.<\/p> The Sector Vision is being developed in partnership with the Creative Industries Council (CIC). As our primary partner, the CIC membership includes representatives of the creative workforce and the CIC engages wider stakeholders through its working groups.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4361", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Matt Warman"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Boston and Skegness"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Matt Warman"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-07-21", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "38756"}
, {"_value" : "38757"}
], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-07-21T09:12:12.203Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Arts: Industry"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what her policy is on the Government's vision for the creative industries; and if she will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4572", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Elmore"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Ogmore"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Elmore"}
], "uin" : "38755"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490276", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490276/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " We currently do not hold information on the number of youth workers and youth centres in Birmingham, however we are working with the National Youth Agency to conduct the National Youth Sector Census<\/a> to better understand the spread of services, and number of youth workers in different areas across the country.<\/p> As set out in section 507B of the Education Act 1996, Local Authorities have a statutory duty to \u2018secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, sufficient provision of educational and recreational leisure-time activities for young people\u2019. This is funded from the Local Government settlement, which was over £12 billion last year.<\/p> DCMS is currently reviewing the statutory duty and its associated guidance to assess the effectiveness after a call for responses from key youth stakeholders. Local authorities are required by section 507B(12) to have regard to the statutory guidance when exercising their functions in relation to the statutory duty.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4407", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nigel Huddleston"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Worcestershire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nigel Huddleston"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2022-07-28", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "38795"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2022-07-28T15:39:22.77Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "10"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2022-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Youth Work: West Midlands"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many (a) youth centres and (b) youth workers there were in (i) Birmingham and (ii) the West Midlands in each of the last 12 years.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4603", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Birmingham, Edgbaston"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Preet Kaur Gill"}
], "uin" : "38794"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490277", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1490277/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "