Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p>I updated the House on Monday 19th November regarding Johnston Press. Johnston Press had a number of creditors including Golden Tree Asset Management, Fidelity, Caravel Asset Management, and Benefits Street Partners. As I set out on 19 November, a consortium of creditors formed JPI Media to take over the assets of Johnston Press. DCMS has been in contact with a number of stakeholders in relation to the takeover<del class="ministerial">.</del><ins class="ministerial">:I spoke with David King (Chief Executive of JPI Media) and John Ensall (Director at JPI Media). Officials at DCMS have also spoken to representatives of Johnston Press and JPI Media. </ins></p>Kenilworth and SouthamJeremy Wright2018-11-27trueKenilworth and SouthamJeremy Wright2018-11-27T14:57:08.09Z2018-11-27T18:02:20.17Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2018-11-22Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: GoldenTree Asset Management1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether (a) he or (b) officials from his Department have (i) met or (ii) been in correspondence with representatives from GoldenTree Asset Management since his appointment.falseWest Bromwich EastTom Watson194686Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p>As outlined in the table, since April 2013, Arts Council England has invested over £1 million in arts and culture projects in St Helens North including, National Lottery Grants for the Arts, Project Grants and through Music Education Hubs.</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p> </p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>2013/14</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>2014/15</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>2015/16</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>2016/17</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>2017/18</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>2018/19 to date</strong></ins></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><ins class="ministerial">National Portfolio Organisations</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">£ - </ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ - </ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ - </ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ - </ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ - </ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 460,000</ins></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><ins class="ministerial">Music Education Hubs</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">£ 196,771</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 198,850</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 258,548</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 255,889</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 252,312</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 252,419</ins></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><ins class="ministerial">GFTA/PG</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">£ 177,138</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 185,254</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 75,580</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 87,526</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 44,800</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 14,961</ins></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><ins class="ministerial">Strategic Funding/Other</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial">£ 628,296</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ - </ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 871,704</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ 1,651,550</ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ - </ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"> £ - </ins></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>Total</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>£ 1,002,205</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong> £ 384,104</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong> £ 1,205,832</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong> £ 1,994,965</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong> £ 297,112</strong></ins></p></td><td><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong> £ 727,380</strong></ins></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><del class="ministerial"><strong>St Helens North</strong></del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial"><strong>2013/2014</strong></del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial"><strong>2014/2015</strong></del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial"><strong>2015/2016</strong></del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial"><strong>2016/2017</strong></del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial"><strong>2017/2018</strong></del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><del class="ministerial">Grants For The Arts/Project Grants</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£ 27,170</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£ 14,682</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£ 40,324</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£10,000</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£29,800</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><del class="ministerial">Music Education Hubs</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£ 196,771</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£ 198,850</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£ 258,548</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£255,889</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£252,312</del></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><del class="ministerial"><strong>Total</strong></del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£ 223,941</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£ 213,532</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£ 298,872</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£265,889</del></p></td><td><p><del class="ministerial">£282,112</del></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p>Northampton NorthMichael Ellis2019-01-24trueNorthampton NorthMichael Ellis2019-01-24T12:36:09.513Z2019-01-31T13:39:46.767Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2019-01-21Culture: St Helens1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what funding his Department has allocated to arts and culture projects in St Helens Council in each of the last five years.falseSt Helens NorthConor McGinn210594Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p>The Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) Programme has the following Scottish projects and potential projects:</p><p> </p><p><strong>LFFN Wave 2 Challenge Fund</strong></p><p>Highland Council are planning to use the SWAN Framework to implement a gigabit fibre network to 152 public buildings in Inverness, Fort William, Thurso and Wick - awarded £4.3m BDUK Funding. This project is in preparation stage for the 'Ready to Procure' Assurance Gate.</p><p> </p><p><strong>LFFN Wave 3 Challenge Fund</strong></p><p>Shetland Council have successfully passed the LFFN Investment Panel stage and are working on the final Business case to go through Assurance Gate A and if approved will be issued with a letter of offer for £2m BDUK Funding</p><p>Tay Cities combined authority are in the dialogue stage regarding a potential LFFN project in their area.</p><p>Renfrewshire Council are at the pre-dialogue stage regarding a potential LFFN project in their area</p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial"><strong>Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme </strong></ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">To the end of September 2018 across Scotland, there have been 87 gigabit vouchers connected (value £243,953). A report up to the end of December 2018 will be released early in February</ins></p><p> </p>StourbridgeMargot James2019-01-29trueStourbridgeMargot James2019-01-29T18:04:37.777Z2019-01-30T08:51:58.383Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2019-01-21Broadband: Scotland1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress has he made on the Local Full Fibre Networks Programme in rural locations throughout Scotland.falseAngusKirstene Hair210715Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p><del class="ministerial">While we have seen some success with voluntary measures to improve online safety, Government has been clear that tech companies need to take more consistent and effective action to tackle online harms.</del></p><p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">A joint DCMS-Home Office White Paper will be published shortly, setting out clear responsibilities for tech companies to keep their users safe online</del>.</p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Government recently set up the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation to provide independent, expert advice on the measures needed to enable and ensure safe, ethical and innovative uses of AI and data-driven technologies.</ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The first two projects the Centre will study include: the use of data in shaping people's online experiences; and the potential for bias in decisions made using algorithms. This work will play an important role in promoting and ensuring fairness and the ethical use of data to deliver maximum benefits for society. An interim update on these projects is expected in summer 2019.</ins></p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">Further, it is essential that AI developed in the UK reflects the needs and make-up of society as a whole and that industry and the public sector are able to access the greatest supply of talent in terms of numbers. Increasing diversity in the AI workforce is vital to ensure that everyone with the potential to participate has the opportunity to do so. The government’s Office for AI will work with the AI Council to promote diversity in the AI workforce.</ins></p>StourbridgeMargot James2019-02-13trueStourbridgeMargot James2019-02-13T16:53:29.233Z2019-02-18T10:41:09.183Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2019-02-08Artificial Intelligence1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the use of artificial intelligence complies with equalities legislation.falseCardiff CentralJo Stevens218822Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p>On 7th February, the UK Chief Medical Officers published their independent systematic map of evidence on screen and social media use in children and young people, and recommended next steps and advice for parents and carers. You can view the report here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/777026/UK_CMO_commentary_on_screentime_and_social_media_map_of_reviews.pdf</p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">The DCMS and Home Office Online Harms White Paper, due to be published shortly, will contain a range of legislative and non-legislative measures, setting out definitive plans to tackle a wide range of harms that users, including children and young people, face online.</ins></p>StourbridgeMargot James2019-03-26trueStourbridgeMargot James2019-03-26T10:51:11.533Z2019-03-26T15:19:37.66Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2019-03-21Social Media: Young People1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of social media on young people’s mental health; and what plans his Department has to ensure that social media companies protect vulnerable young people.falseDulwich and West NorwoodHelen Hayes235350Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p>We are committed to promoting the Arts and culture outside London, and continue to work closely with the Arts Council to ensure that the whole of the country has access to funding for arts and cultural programmes.</p><p> </p><p>Last year 70% of Arts Council's <ins class="ministerial">lottery</ins><del class="ministerial">total</del> funding was awarded outside London. Between 2018 and 2022 an additional £170 million of National Portfolio Organisation funding will be invested outside London.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the recent Cultural Development Fund has seen £20 million of funding shared between five towns and cities outside of the capital, while programmes such as Creative People and Places and the City of Culture programme continue to focus outside of the capital.</p><p> </p><p>DCMS has also recently announced an additional £4 million of funding for the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund. In 2019/20, 35 museums and galleries will benefit from this funding which aims to improve audience experience. Over 80% of regional museums outside London will receive money from this Fund.</p>Northampton NorthMichael Ellis2019-05-13trueNorthampton NorthMichael Ellis2019-05-13T11:01:57.163Z2019-05-14T10:50:06.633Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2019-05-08Culture: Finance1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to (a) protect and (b) increase funding for arts and culture outside London.falseCoventry SouthMr Jim Cunningham251910Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p><del class="ministerial">It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.</del></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The Northern Ireland Office has lead responsibility within Government for exploring options to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021. My Department will work alongside the NIO, where appropriate, to support that work.</ins></p><p> </p>Faversham and Mid KentHelen Whately2019-10-08trueLoughboroughNicky Morgan2019-10-08T16:33:09.71Z2019-10-09T09:02:17.297Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2019-09-05Anniversaries: Northern Ireland1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to support events in Great Britain to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021.falseLagan ValleySir Jeffrey M. Donaldson287496Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p>The Gambling Commission requires all operators licensed under the Gambling Act 2005 to make a contribution towards the research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harm. Most operators donate to GambleAware, a charity which commissions dedicated support for problem gamblers, as well as research and awareness-raising on gambling-related harm. For the 2018-19 financial year, operators donated £9.6<ins class="ministerial">m</ins><del class="ministerial">bn</del> to GambleAware, and industry body the Betting and Gaming Council estimates that operators gave a further £9.7m to other charities. For that same financial year, the gambling sector paid around £3bn to the exchequer in gambling taxes.</p><p>GambleAware commission support and treatment services for those suffering through gambling problems, including the National Gambling Helpline and counselling services provided by GamCare. GambleAware commissioned services complement those of NHS England who are scaling up treatment provision for problem gambling as part of the NHS Long-term plan. This will see up to 14 new specialist clinics open in the next 5 years, 2 of which have opened already. The Health Secretary has also announced that a cross-government addiction strategy, to include gambling, will be published in 2020.</p><p>In May 2018 the government published its response to the consultation on gaming machines and social responsibility measures, which made clear that if industry failed to provide the funding needed to meet current and future needs, government would consider all options, including a mandatory levy. Following this, in July 2019, five large gambling operators announced that they will increase the amount they give tenfold, from 0.1% to 1% of their gross profits over the next four years, and as part of this have committed to spend £100 million on treatment.</p><p> </p>Faversham and Mid KentHelen Whately2020-01-27trueFaversham and Mid KentHelen Whately2020-01-27T17:12:46.857Z2020-01-29T13:12:28.75Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2020-01-20Gambling1House of CommonsTo ask the Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a mandatory levy on gambling firms to fund gambling addiction treatment, education and research.falseAberdeen SouthStephen Flynn5578Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p><strong>Government recognises the need to work with<ins class="ministerial"> the</ins> civil society<ins class="ministerial"> sector</ins> to establish principles of effective civil society involvement in the policy-making process. My officials have started to scope a programme of work and the details of this will be set out in due course. </strong></p>Faversham and Mid KentHelen Whately2020-02-11trueFaversham and Mid KentHelen Whately2020-02-11T17:31:46.56Z2020-02-11T17:42:07.527Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2020-02-04Civil Society1House of CommonsTo ask the Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Answer of 23 October 2019 to Question 665, on Third Sector, what further progress his Department has made on establishing a cross-government group.falseLewisham, DeptfordVicky Foxcroft12433Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport<p><del class="ministerial">I met with the Independent Community News Network and the Public Interest News Foundation on 6 May to discuss Government support for the independent news publishing sector in light of the impacts of Covid-19. This meeting included a discussion on the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak on the independent news media sector, the Government's public information awareness campaign, and the ways in which the independent sector may be used to reach underserved audiences. I continue to engage with them via regular biweekly press sector meetings</del></p><p> </p><p><del class="ministerial">All titles utilised in the public health campaign have been selected by the Government's media planning and buying agency, OmniGOV. As with any media planning approach, titles are selected on their ability to engage with audiences at a national, regional and local level and to ensure value for money, reach and targeting efficacy. The current partnership brings together over 600 national, regional and local titles across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to reach 49 million people a month. The vast majority of titles are local papers and additional titles have been selected in order to further reach priority audiences including BAME and older men.</del></p><p> </p><p><ins class="ministerial">The government recognises the vital role of independent newspapers in supporting communities by ensuring the provision of reliable, high-quality information throughout the current pandemic. Safeguarding the UK’s news media so that they are able to continue to provide this is a key priority for the government and we are in regular dialogue with a range of stakeholders, including publishers, the Independent Community News Network and the Public Interest News Foundation to ensure that our response to the challenges they are facing is as effective and wide reaching as it can be. </ins></p><p><ins class="ministerial">The government will continue to consider all possible options in the interests of promoting and sustaining high-quality news journalism. Never have the activities of journalists been more popular and critical; providing quality news to all, including those self-isolating, and binding communities together, a fundamental function of our modern day democracy.</ins></p><p> </p>MaldonMr John Whittingdale2020-05-19trueMaldonMr John Whittingdale2020-05-19T13:12:59.69Z2020-05-19T14:18:01.827Z10Digital, Culture, Media and SportDigital, Culture, Media and Sport2020-05-11Media: Public Health1House of CommonsTo ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of arranging with the Independent Community News Network and the Publish Interest News Foundation for a portion of public health campaign spending to be disbursed across the independent media sector.falseNorth CornwallScott Mann4533310019992