Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport will focus on supporting culture, arts, media, sport, tourism and civil society across every part of England — recognising the UK’s world-leading position in these areas and the importance of these sectors in contributing so much to our economy, way of life and our reputation around the world.



Secretary of State

 Portrait

Lisa Nandy
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Shadow Ministers / Spokeperson
Liberal Democrat
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (LD - Life peer)
Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Culture, Media and Sport)
Max Wilkinson (LD - Cheltenham)
Liberal Democrat Spokesperson (Culture, Media and Sport)

Conservative
Stuart Andrew (Con - Daventry)
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Con - Life peer)
Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Saqib Bhatti (Con - Meriden and Solihull East)
Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
Junior Shadow Ministers / Deputy Spokesperson
Conservative
Louie French (Con - Old Bexley and Sidcup)
Shadow Parliamentary Under Secretary (Culture, Media and Sport)
Ministers of State
Chris Bryant (Lab - Rhondda and Ogmore)
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Parliamentary Under-Secretaries of State
Stephanie Peacock (Lab - Barnsley South)
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
There are no upcoming events identified
Debates
Friday 24th January 2025
Select Committee Inquiry
Thursday 19th December 2024
State of Play

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee wants to give everyone across the world of culture, media and sport the chance …

Written Answers
Wednesday 29th January 2025
Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Paternity Leave
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department offers paternity leave to its staff …
Secondary Legislation
Monday 16th January 2023
Public Lending Right Scheme 1982 (Commencement of Variation) Order 2023
This Order brings into force on 13th February 2023 a variation of the Public Lending Right Scheme 1982 (“the Scheme”) …
Bills
Monday 18th July 2022
Data Protection and Digital Information Bill 2022-23
A Bill to make provision for the regulation of the processing of information relating to identified or identifiable living individuals; …
Dept. Publications
Friday 24th January 2025
15:53

Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Commons Appearances

Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs

Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:
  • Urgent Questions where the Speaker has selected a question to which a Minister must reply that day
  • Adjornment Debates a 30 minute debate attended by a Minister that concludes the day in Parliament.
  • Oral Statements informing the Commons of a significant development, where backbench MP's can then question the Minister making the statement.

Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue

Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.

Most Recent Commons Appearances by Category
Jan. 16
Oral Questions
Dec. 17
Adjournment Debate
View All Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Commons Contibutions

Bills currently before Parliament

Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport does not have Bills currently before Parliament


Acts of Parliament created in the 2024 Parliament

Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has not passed any Acts during the 2024 Parliament

Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport - Secondary Legislation

This Order brings into force on 13th February 2023 a variation of the Public Lending Right Scheme 1982 (“the Scheme”) made by the Secretary of State.
These Regulations limit the wholesale roaming rates chargeable to mobile phone service providers in certain countries or territories with which the United Kingdom has an international agreement.
View All Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Secondary Legislation

Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Trending Petitions
Petition Open
37,026 Signatures
(426 in the last 7 days)
Petitions with most signatures
Petition Open
37,026 Signatures
(426 in the last 7 days)
Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has not participated in any petition debates
View All Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport Petitions

Departmental Select Committee

Culture, Media and Sport Committee

Commons Select Committees are a formally established cross-party group of backbench MPs tasked with holding a Government department to account.

At any time there will be number of ongoing investigations into the work of the Department, or issues which fall within the oversight of the Department. Witnesses can be summoned from within the Government and outside to assist in these inquiries.

Select Committee findings are reported to the Commons, printed, and published on the Parliament website. The government then usually has 60 days to reply to the committee's recommendations.


20 Members of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Giles Watling Portrait
Giles Watling (Conservative - Clacton)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
John Nicolson Portrait
John Nicolson (Scottish National Party - Ochil and South Perthshire)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Damian Green Portrait
Damian Green (Conservative - Ashford)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay Portrait
Baroness Elliott of Whitburn Bay (Labour - Life peer)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Clive Efford Portrait
Clive Efford (Labour - Eltham and Chislehurst)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Steve Brine Portrait
Steve Brine (Conservative - Winchester)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Lord Brennan of Canton Portrait
Lord Brennan of Canton (Labour - Life peer)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 2nd March 2020
Jane Stevenson Portrait
Jane Stevenson (Conservative - Wolverhampton North East)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 19th October 2021
Simon Jupp Portrait
Simon Jupp (Conservative - East Devon)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 19th October 2021
Rupa Huq Portrait
Rupa Huq (Labour - Ealing Central and Acton)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 7th March 2022
Caroline Dinenage Portrait
Caroline Dinenage (Conservative - Gosport)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 9th September 2024
Paul Waugh Portrait
Paul Waugh (Labour (Co-op) - Rochdale)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Tom Rutland Portrait
Tom Rutland (Labour - East Worthing and Shoreham)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Jo Platt Portrait
Jo Platt (Labour (Co-op) - Leigh and Atherton)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Natasha Irons Portrait
Natasha Irons (Labour - Croydon East)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
James Frith Portrait
James Frith (Labour - Bury North)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Bayo Alaba Portrait
Bayo Alaba (Labour - Southend East and Rochford)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 21st October 2024
Liz Jarvis Portrait
Liz Jarvis (Liberal Democrat - Eastleigh)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Zöe Franklin Portrait
Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat - Guildford)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 28th October 2024
Damian Hinds Portrait
Damian Hinds (Conservative - East Hampshire)
Culture, Media and Sport Committee Member since 9th December 2024
Culture, Media and Sport Committee: Upcoming Events
Culture, Media and Sport Committee - Private Meeting
4 Feb 2025, 1:45 p.m.
View calendar - Save to Calendar
Culture, Media and Sport Committee - Oral evidence
AI and copyright
4 Feb 2025, 1:45 p.m.
At 2:00pm: Oral evidence
James Smith - Co-founder and Chief Executive at Human Native AI
Matt Hervey - Head of Legal and Policy at Human Native AI
At 3:00pm: Oral evidence
Sajeeda Merali - Chief Executive at Professional Publishers Association
Max Richter - composer, pianist and producer
Matt Rogerson - Director of Global Public Policy and Platform Strategy at Financial Times

View calendar - Save to Calendar
Culture, Media and Sport Committee - Oral evidence
AI and copyright
4 Feb 2025, 1:45 p.m.
At 2:00pm: Oral evidence
James Smith - Co-founder and Chief Executive at Human Native AI
Matt Hervey - Head of Legal and Policy at Human Native AI
Sebastian Posth - Founder and Chief Executive at Liccium B.V.
At 3:00pm: Oral evidence
Sajeeda Merali - Chief Executive at Professional Publishers Association
Max Richter - composer, pianist and producer
Matt Rogerson - Director of Global Public Policy and Platform Strategy at Financial Times

View calendar - Save to Calendar
Culture, Media and Sport Committee: Previous Inquiries
Impact of Covid-19 on the charity sector Impact of Covid-19 on DCMS sectors Combatting doping in sport inquiry Impact of Brexit on UK Creative industries, tourism and The Single Digital Market inquiry Channel 4 Annual Report 2016 inquiry Sport governance inquiry The work of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport inquiry BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2016-17 Disinformation and ‘fake news’ The work of Ofcom inquiry The work of the Charity Commission Live music inquiry The social impact of participation in culture and sport inquiry Appointment of the Chair of the Charity Commission Appointment of the Chair of Ofcom Wembley Stadium and the future of English football inquiry Immersive and addictive technologies inquiry Channel 4 Annual Report 2017 inquiry BBC Annual Report and Accounts 2017-18 inquiry The work of the Charity Commission inquiry BBC pay inquiry Channel 4 Annual Report 2018 inquiry Reality tv inquiry The future of English cricket inquiry BBC Annual Report 2018-19 and TV licences for over 75s inquiry The future of the National Lottery inquiry Administration of Football Clubs inquiry Garden tourism inquiry Lessons from the First World War Centenary inquiry Economics of music streaming Sport in our communities Connected tech: smart or sinister? Safety at major sporting events Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and the blockchain Women's sport Gambling regulation Current issues in rugby union Minority languages Appointment of Richard Sharp as Chair of the BBC The future of UK music festivals British Film and High-End Television Grassroots music venues British film and high-end television 2 BBC World Service Game On: Community and school sport Protecting built heritage State of Play The work of the Charity Commission Broadband and the road to 5G The future of public service broadcasting Concussion in sport Administration of Football Clubs The future of English cricket Disinformation and ‘fake news’ Garden tourism Immersive and addictive technologies Channel 4 Annual Report 2018 BBC Annual Report 2018-19 and TV licences for over 75s Live music The future of the National Lottery The work of Ofcom Reality tv The Social Impact of Participation in Culture and Sport The work of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Lessons from the First World War Centenary

50 most recent Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department

21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department offers protection to staff from unfair dismissal from their first working day.

All dismissals are handled in line with current legislation and appropriate Codes of Practice. Where an employee feels they may have been unfairly dismissed, appropriate internal appeal routes may be instigated.

Where an employee is unable to solve a problem internally they may be able to go to an employment tribunal to claim unfair dismissal, as set out in legislation. This position will be reviewed when unfair dismissal rights are updated in line with proposals in the Employment Rights Bill 2024-25.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department offers paternity leave to its staff from their first working day.

DCMS offers paternity leave in line with legislation: to access statutory paternity leave and pay, an employee must have worked for their employer for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before their baby is due. However, some staff could qualify for statutory shared parental leave on their first day of service with a particular department, because they already have service with another department.

To access DCMS’s occupational paternity leave and pay offer, an employee must have at least one year's continuous service in the Civil Service.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024-25 comes into effect.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether their Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day.

DCMS offers shared parental leave in line with legislation: to access statutory shared parental leave and pay, both parents must have worked for their employer for at least 26 weeks up to the 15th week before their baby is due. However, some staff could qualify for statutory shared parental leave on their first day of service with a particular department, because they already have service with another department.

To access our occupational shared parental leave pay, employees must have at least one year’s continuous service in the Civil Service.

As with any changes to employment legislation, internal policies and processes will be updated as appropriate in preparation for when the Employment Rights Bill 2024-25 comes into effect.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support public libraries in Gloucester.

Public libraries are funded by local authorities and each local authority is responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within available resources.

I understand that Gloucestershire had 32 local authority-run static libraries as of December 2023, with five of those libraries located in Gloucester itself.

The government is committed to getting local government back on its feet. The provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2025-26 makes available £69 billion for local government, which is a 3.5% real terms increase in councils’ Core Spending Power on 2024-25.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of public libraries in rural areas.

Public libraries play a vital role in sustaining community networks in rural areas, offering a range of activities and support services to meet local needs and bring people together.

Local authorities in England have a statutory duty under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. They are responsible for assessing the needs of their local communities and designing a library service to meet those needs within available resources.

There is a network of over 2,500 static libraries in the statutory network across England, supported by a number of mobile and home library services. Public library services are found in all types of communities, urban and rural; and are used by all demographics of people.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with (a) broadcasters and (b) social media companies on making more sporting events freely available to watch live.

I routinely hold discussions with a range of stakeholders in the sector where we cover matters relevant to sports and television, including free-to-air access to sporting events.

The Government wants major sporting events to be made available on free-to-air television so that they can be enjoyed by a wide audience. However, this must also be balanced with the ability of sporting organisations to generate revenues to invest in their sports, at all levels.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve local government support for arts and culture.

Local authorities play a vital role in supporting the arts and cultural institutions, but they operate independently of central government. Ministers have no remit to intervene in the day to day affairs and decisions of local authorities, except where specific provision has been made in legislation.

The government is already taking action via the provisional 2025/26 Local Government Finance Settlement to begin addressing the significant challenges facing local government. Over £4 billion in additional funding for local government services was announced at the Autumn Budget 2024, including £1.3 billion which will go through the Settlement.

The government has also provided funding to local authorities to strengthen their arts, cultural, heritage, and visitor economy provision through programmes such as the Cultural Development Fund, the Museum and Estate Development Fund, and High Streets Heritage Action Zones.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a customs union between the UK and the European Union on (a) the creative industries and (b) the sports and recreation industry.

This Government has been clear that there will be no return to the EU’s Customs Union so we have made no such assessment.

As agreed between the Prime Minister and President of the European Commission in October 2024, we are committed to strengthening the relationship between the UK and EU to find constructive ways to work together and deliver for the British people.

I am proud of the international reputation of our sports and creative industries. Notably, this Government has committed to address issues facing our brilliant musicians, artists and their support staff. We are already working hard with our sectors and engaging with the EU and EU Member States to this end.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which of the 106 Listed Places of Worship in Wells and Mendip Hills constituency have received Grants under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme since its inception.

Since 2022, the Department has given 4 grants, totalling £5,264.67, to Listed Places of Worship in the constituency of Wells and Mendip Hills. The recipients of these were St Mary’s Church Wedmore, St Mary Magdalene, All Saints Church, and Holy Trinity.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support the film industry in (a) England and (b) Hertsmere.

The Government’s Industrial Strategy will prioritise the creative industries.

We will ensure that the sector can continue to drive growth, boost opportunities and help people to fulfil their creative potential across the UK, including in Hertsmere. Our support includes:

  • Providing £1 million in funding for 2025/26 for the British Film Commission, which has previously provided support for both Elstree Studios and Sky Studios Elstree in Hertsmere;

  • Expanding the global reach of independent content through with a further £7 million for the UK Global Screen Fund in 2025/26;

  • Building on the success of the screen sector tax reliefs, by introducing the enhanced Independent Film Tax Credit, and a new 5% uplift on the rate of relief for visual effects.

Opportunities to drive growth in our screen sectors exist across the whole of the UK, with seven established film production hubs and many more areas brimming with potential and ambition. The film industry also benefits from two major UK Research and Innovation programmes run by the Arts and Humanities Research Council: the £75.6 million CoSTAR programme and the £56 million Creative Industries Clusters programme

In addition, the British Film Institute has committed £34.2 million National Lottery funding over 2023-2026 for education and skills programmes. This includes £9 million to develop skills clusters, one of which has been set up to cover the Metro London area, which includes Hertfordshire, led by Film London.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure growth in the British film industry.

The Government’s Industrial Strategy will prioritise the creative industries.

We will ensure that the sector can continue to drive growth, boost opportunities and help people to fulfil their creative potential across the UK, including in Hertsmere. Our support includes:

  • Providing £1 million in funding for 2025/26 for the British Film Commission, which has previously provided support for both Elstree Studios and Sky Studios Elstree in Hertsmere;

  • Expanding the global reach of independent content through with a further £7 million for the UK Global Screen Fund in 2025/26;

  • Building on the success of the screen sector tax reliefs, by introducing the enhanced Independent Film Tax Credit, and a new 5% uplift on the rate of relief for visual effects.

Opportunities to drive growth in our screen sectors exist across the whole of the UK, with seven established film production hubs and many more areas brimming with potential and ambition. The film industry also benefits from two major UK Research and Innovation programmes run by the Arts and Humanities Research Council: the £75.6 million CoSTAR programme and the £56 million Creative Industries Clusters programme

In addition, the British Film Institute has committed £34.2 million National Lottery funding over 2023-2026 for education and skills programmes. This includes £9 million to develop skills clusters, one of which has been set up to cover the Metro London area, which includes Hertfordshire, led by Film London.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of increasing the cost of electronic travel authorisations on inbound tourism.

DCMS closely monitors factors that may influence inbound tourism, including the cost of electronic travel authorisations (ETAs). We recognise the importance of balancing secure and efficient border processes with the need to remain competitive as a global tourism destination.

DCMS continues to engage with the Home Office to ensure that any changes to the cost of ETAs are proportionate and informed by robust evidence on their potential impact on tourism. Supporting the UK's tourism industry remains a priority, and we will continue to review any challenges to its growth.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the number of inbound tourism visitors in 2025/26 if electronic travel authorisations cost (a) £10 and (b) £16.

DCMS closely monitors factors that may influence inbound tourism, including the cost of electronic travel authorisations (ETAs). We recognise the importance of balancing secure and efficient border processes with the need to remain competitive as a global tourism destination.

DCMS continues to engage with the Home Office to ensure that any changes to the cost of ETAs are proportionate and informed by robust evidence on their potential impact on tourism. Supporting the UK's tourism industry remains a priority, and we will continue to review any challenges to its growth.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make a comparative assessment of the cost of tourism visas in (a) the UK and (b) international competitors.

DCMS closely monitors factors that may influence inbound tourism, including the cost of electronic travel authorisations (ETAs). We recognise the importance of balancing secure and efficient border processes with the need to remain competitive as a global tourism destination.

DCMS continues to engage with the Home Office to ensure that any changes to the cost of ETAs are proportionate and informed by robust evidence on their potential impact on tourism. Supporting the UK's tourism industry remains a priority, and we will continue to review any challenges to its growth.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
23rd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with Secretary of State for the Home department on the potential impact of increasing the cost of electronic travel authorisations on her Department’s ambition to grow inbound tourism to 50 million visitors per year.

DCMS closely monitors factors that may influence inbound tourism, including the cost of electronic travel authorisations (ETAs). We recognise the importance of balancing secure and efficient border processes with the need to remain competitive as a global tourism destination.

DCMS continues to engage with the Home Office to ensure that any changes to the cost of ETAs are proportionate and informed by robust evidence on their potential impact on tourism. Supporting the UK's tourism industry remains a priority, and we will continue to review any challenges to its growth.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the owners of Scheduled Monuments on their potential role in British tourism.

Scheduled Monuments are extremely diverse and range from the 17th century Houghton House, which is managed by English Heritage, to Metchley Roman fort in Birmingham, much of which lies on private land. The Secretary of State regularly engages with heritage organisations to discuss their role in British tourism. These discussions highlight the contribution of a wide range of heritage assets, including scheduled monuments, to the Visitor Economy, focusing on sustainable use, preservation, access, and promotion. The Government recognises the importance of heritage in showcasing the UK’s culture and works closely with stakeholders to support sustainable tourism initiatives that enhance visitor experiences while protecting these culturally significant sites for future generations.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support hotel owners in South Cotswolds constituency.

The Government is supporting hotel owners in the South Cotswolds and across the UK through measures such as business rates relief, and funding opportunities like the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. These initiatives aim to alleviate operational costs, promote regional tourism, and drive economic growth. The Government also works closely with VisitBritain and Cotswold Plus (the Local Visitor Economy Partnership for the wider Cotswolds region) to boost marketing efforts, attract visitors, and support the hospitality sector's recovery and growth.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will have discussions with (a) Arts Council England and (b) Arts Council of Wales on a sustainable funding solution for the Welsh National Opera.

I have already held a series of productive meetings with the Wales Office, Welsh Government, Arts Council England, and Welsh National Opera to understand the issue in more detail and to see how, within the parameters of the arm’s length principle, DCMS can best help ensure a strong and secure future for the WNO.

The core point of agreement across all these meetings and across all partners was a recognition of the value of the Welsh National Opera and its work - both for the people of Wales, but also for people elsewhere in the UK. It was clear that all partners are keen to achieve a positive long-term future for the organisation, and are working towards that goal.

I am pleased to see additional funding of £755,000 has been allocated by the Arts Council to WNO.

I was also pleased that this series of meetings was able to reassure everyone that all partners wanted to see a positive future for Welsh National Opera, that the funding bodies across the border will work more collaboratively in future and that the new leadership at the WNO have a clear idea of how to progress. Everyone wants to sustain the WNO so that as many people as possible in Wales and England have a chance to enjoy world class opera close to home. Funding decisions are for the Welsh Arts Council and Arts Council England, but I am confident that the WNO is in a strong place to succeed.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her planned timeline is for the regulation of short-term lets.

Following public consultation in 2023, Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The Government is committed to delivering this scheme as soon as possible to support our thriving visitor economy while protecting local communities through improved oversight of the short-term lets sector. The Government has now concluded the initial development state of the registration scheme and expects to begin publicly testing the scheme in 12 months time.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of revoking the gambling licenses of Greentube Alderney Limited.

As the independent regulator, it is the Gambling Commission’s duty to ensure that operators comply with the requirements set out in the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice and to take appropriate regulatory action against those operators which fail to comply. The Gambling Commission has published its decision on regulatory action against Greentube Alderney Limited, and any decision on revoking Greentube Alderney Limited’s licence lies with them.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure access to high-quality local journalism.

Sustainability of high-quality local journalism is a priority for this Government.

We are developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. Our vision is a thriving local media that can continue to play an invaluable role as a key channel of trustworthy information at local level. This means reporting on the issues that matter to communities, reflecting their contributions and perspectives, and helping to foster a self-confident nation in which everyone feels that their contribution is part of an inclusive national story.

We are working across Government and with other stakeholders as the Strategy develops and will announce further details in due course.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that all communities have access to local radio stations.

There are a wide range of local commercial and community radio services across the UK operating on analogue (FM/AM) and on digital radio. In addition, there are increasing numbers of commercial and community radio stations which are digital-only and have been able to take advantage of DAB and small-scale DAB, allowing more local radio stations to reach their audiences.

Ofcom’s progress report on small-scale DAB published on 22 October 2024 announced that Ofcom was planning to run two additional rounds of SS-DAB licensing in the near future, enabling more communities and prospective businesses to develop new stations and get on air.

Local stations continue to make a significant contribution to local media plurality and choice, providing communities with access to news and local information. We are also considering the role that local commercial and community radio can make in helping to strengthen local media more generally as part of our comprehensive review of local media.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department had made of the adequacy of existing legislation to ensure copyright protections across the creative industries.

The government recognises the importance of the UKs copyright regime to the economic success of the creative industries, one of eight growth-driving sectors as identified in our Industrial Strategy. We are committed to supporting rights holders by ensuring they retain control over and receive fair payment for their work, especially as technology advances to include AI. We are actively working with stakeholders to ensure copyright protections remain robust and fit for purpose.

Although existing legislation gives creative rights holders control over the use of their protected works, we are aware that this can be very difficult to implement in practice in the context of AI, especially for individual firms and creators. The application of existing copyright legislation in the context of AI training is disputed, both in the UK and internationally, with many high-profile court cases underway. Right holders are finding it difficult to control use of their works to train AI models, and want greater ability to manage that activity and be paid for it.

Responses to our Copyright and AI consultation, published 17 December and closing 25 February, will inform our approach to the design and delivery of a solution to the current dispute over copyright legislation. Our aim is to clarify the copyright framework for AI – delivering legal certainty through a copyright regime that provides creators with real control, transparency, and helps them licence their content, while supporting AI developers' access to high-quality material, so that they can train leading AI models in the UK.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help support small music venues.

The Government response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report on grassroots music venues sets out our commitment to working with the sector to support the sustainability of the entire music ecosystem. In particular, the Government is urging the live music industry to introduce a voluntary levy on tickets for stadium and arena shows, to help safeguard the future of the grassroots music sector.

The Government has also announced £2.5m of continued funding for the Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Music Fund for 2025-26. This enables grassroots music venues, recording studios, promoters and festivals to apply for grants of up to £40,000 to develop new revenue streams, make repairs and improvements, and enhance the live music experience for music lovers across the UK.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how she plans to support small music venues.

The Government response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report on grassroots music venues sets out our commitment to working with the sector to support the sustainability of the entire music ecosystem. In particular, the Government is urging the live music industry to introduce a voluntary levy on tickets for stadium and arena shows, to help safeguard the future of the grassroots music sector.

The Government has also announced £2.5m of continued funding for the Arts Council England’s Supporting Grassroots Music Fund for 2025-26. This enables grassroots music venues, recording studios, promoters and festivals to apply for grants of up to £40,000 to develop new revenue streams, make repairs and improvements, and enhance the live music experience for music lovers across the UK.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to support young men at (a) schools and (b) universities who are gambling online.

We are committed to protecting children and young people from gambling harm. In December last year, the Government laid a draft regulation introducing new stake limits for online slots games, including a lower stake limit of £2 for adults aged 18 to 24.

We are introducing a statutory levy to be paid by gambling operators raising funding for research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms. The levy will play an important part in the Government’s wider aim to have a better informed and protected public when it comes to gambling-related harms. The government also continues to support the NHS National Gambling Clinic which provides treatment for adults and children experiencing gambling harm.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of authorising the Gambling Commission to offer redress for losses following the collapse of a gambling operator.

The Government strongly sympathises with all customers who are impacted by the collapse of a gambling operator and appreciates the difficulties caused where significant sums of money are lost in such a scenario. However, there is no compensation scheme for losses caused by a gambling firm ceasing to operate and the Government does not think it would be appropriate to use public funds for these purposes. Money staked with a gambling business is not protected by the Gambling Commission or the Government in the same way as money in personal bank accounts.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will take steps to facilitate education on gambling-related harms for young people.

We are committed to protecting children and young people from gambling harm. Since 2020, children have been taught about the risks relating to gambling as part of the statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education curriculum in England. The Gambling Commission also publishes an annual survey on children’s exposure to, and involvement in, all types of gambling to help us monitor gambling-related harm amongst children.

We are introducing a statutory levy to be paid by gambling operators raising funding for research, prevention and treatment of gambling-related harms. The levy will play an important part in the Government’s wider aim to have a better informed and protected public when it comes to gambling-related harms.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with the BBC on the financial pressures it faces.

The Secretary of State is a strong supporter of the BBC and, with Charter Review approaching, wants to ensure the long term financial sustainability of the corporation.

Ministers and officials in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have regular discussions with the BBC, and the Secretary of State had her first formal meeting on the Charter Review process with the Director General in November 2024.

As part of the next Charter Review, discussions with the BBC will continue to focus on how to ensure the BBC thrives well into the next decade and beyond. This will include ongoing discussions on a range of important issues, including future funding models. Funding the BBC through general taxation is not being considered.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to support grassroots sport in Runcorn and Helsby constituency.

The Government supports grassroots sport through our ongoing investment into Sport England, our arm’s length body, which annually invests over £250 million of Exchequer and Lottery funding each year. In the last financial year, Sport England invested £166,607 into grassroots sport in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency.

The Government has also committed to continued funding for grassroots sports facilities via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, which will invest £123 million UK-wide throughout 2024/25.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to apply to host any major sporting games on behalf of the UK.

The UK has a global reputation for hosting major sporting events successfully. The Government continues to work with our expert arm’s-length body, UK Sport, to grow and develop our strong pipeline of events, ensuring these reflect this Government’s missions, as well as our sporting priorities.

Upcoming, secured events include the Women’s Rugby World Cup in 2025, with the European Athletics Championships, Glasgow Commonwealth Games and T20 Women’s Cricket World Cup taking place in 2026. In 2028 the UK and Ireland will host the men's European Football Championships ‘EURO 2028’, which will be the biggest sporting event the UK and Ireland have ever jointly hosted.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 29 July 2024 to Question 1466 on Sport: Public Appointments, what recent progress she has made on appointing people based in (a) Northern Ireland, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales to the boards of public bodies.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport remains committed to drawing upon the wealth of talent and experience across the whole of the United Kingdom when making appointments to the Boards of its Public Bodies. The Department is taking forward a number of new approaches to increase the awareness of Public Appointment opportunities and supporting candidates throughout the process.

All DCMS Public Appointments are advertised on the HM Government Public Appointments Website. We welcome applications from people across the country, including those based in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much was paid in bonuses to staff in her Department in 2023-24.

Departments are required to publish data related to non-consolidated performance payments on an annual basis. The publication date for the 2023/24 data is yet to be confirmed, but will happen over the coming months.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to promote local journalism in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) other rural areas.

Sustainability of local journalism is an area of particular concern for this Government, across the country and in Gloucestershire and other rural areas.

We are developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. Our vision is a thriving local media that can continue to play an invaluable role as a key channel of trustworthy information at local level, reporting on the issues that matter to communities, reflecting their contributions and perspectives, and helping to foster a self-confident nation in which everyone feels that their contribution is part of an inclusive national story.

We are working across Government and with other stakeholders as the Strategy develops and will announce further details in due course.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
22nd Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 January 2025 to Question 24076 on Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme: Wimbledon, who the seven recipients were.

The seven recipients in Wimbledon who received funding from the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme from 2022 onwards are All Saints' Parish Church, St John the Baptist Church, St Mary's Church, St Luke's Church, St Winefride's Church, Christchurch West and Lantern Methodist Church.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
17th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has plans to meet with representatives of faith communities to discuss the potential impact of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on freedom of religious practice in England and Wales.

On the 22nd of January, I was pleased to announce that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme would continue from March 2025 to March 2026 with a budget of £23m. Further details can be found in this Written Statement.

Both myself and my officials have met with a range of stakeholders since July 2024 and discussed as part of those meetings the future and impact of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. The Department also received and responded to a large number of correspondence on the scheme including from representatives from faith communities sharing their views.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with (a) UEFA, (b) FIFA and (c) the International Olympic Committee on the publication of correspondence on the proposal to introduce a football regulator.

This Government, and the previous one, has engaged extensively with a wide range of stakeholders as the policy set out in the Football Governance Bill has developed over the last 3 years. This includes engagement with UEFA and FIFA. These discussions have been constructive, and we continue to speak to the relevant football authorities on a regular basis.

The Government does not share private correspondence provided to us by stakeholders including international organisations.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the potential impact of a transient visitor levy on UK tourism.

Tax policy is a matter for HM Treasury and there are no plans to introduce a visitor levy in England. Levies either have been or are being introduced in Scotland, Wales and some English cities and DCMS continues to monitor their impact on the visitor economy.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a transient visitor levy on the UK visitor economy.

Tax policy is a matter for HM Treasury and there are no plans to introduce a visitor levy in England. Levies either have been or are being introduced in Scotland, Wales and some English cities and DCMS continues to monitor their impact on the visitor economy.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to set out the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grants Scheme before its current funding ends on 31 March 2025.

On the 22nd of January, I was pleased to announce that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme would continue from March 2025 to March 2026. Further details can be found here in the Written Statement.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
17th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support community radio.

In December 2024, the Community Radio Order 2025 was laid in draft in Parliament. It enables Ofcom to extend community radio licences for a fourth time and to remove restrictions that limit the amount of income a community radio licence can receive from advertisements and sponsorship, except for community radio stations whose coverage area overlaps with small independent commercial stations. These changes are designed to secure the long-term success and financial sustainability of the UK’s community radio stations and, subject to Parliamentary approval, are due to come into force in April 2025.

The Ofcom-administered Community Radio Fund also allows community radio stations to bid for funding to meet their core costs and seeks to support the sector towards self-sustainability. The current annual budget for the Community Radio Fund was set at £400,000 in 2015. We are currently looking at whether there is scope to increase funding as part of the Spending Review.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
16th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of the potential benefits of strengthening advertising regulation in relation to children and young people.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the independent body responsible for regulating advertising in the UK and co-regulates broadcast advertising under contract with Ofcom. The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), sister organisations of the ASA, are responsible for codifying the standards for advertising in their CAP and BCAP Codes. Within these codes, specific rules are set out for advertising to children, along with rules to ensure that adverts for age-restricted products are not targeted towards those under the age of 18.

The Government continues to work with industry through the Online Advertising Taskforce to explore non-legislative measures to improve trust, transparency and accountability in the online advertising ecosystem. The Taskforce has agreed a programme of work focused on tackling illegal advertising and minimising children being served advertising for products and services illegal to sell to them. Six industry-led working groups report to the Taskforce, including an age-assurance working group which specifically looks to improve standards to reduce children’s exposure to advertising for age-restructed products. More details on its work can be found in the Online Advertising Taskforce’s Progress Report 2023 - 2024.

The Government is keen to see industry working together in the first instance but will continue to monitor the regulatory framework to see if further legislation is needed.

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
13th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the proposal to cover the ancient Roman site at Richborough with solar panels.

Richborough Roman Fort is a scheduled ancient monument protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. We are not aware of any application for solar panels on the site, but are aware of an ongoing planning application in the vicinity of the ancient monument, which is for the Local Planning Authority to decide. It would not be appropriate for the government to comment on an individual planning case such as this, as it may come before Government Ministers for a decision at a later date.

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
9th Jan 2025
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of research by Cambridge University and Fudan University showing a link between social isolation and the increased risk of heart disease, stroke and infections; and what steps they intend to take to address loneliness in the UK.

The Government recognises that chronic loneliness is linked to negative health outcomes, and welcomes further research in this space, including the new research by Cambridge University and Fudan University. The Government continues to be evidence led in its approach to addressing loneliness.

The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) leads on the cross-government tackling loneliness programme for England. DCMS’s current work to tackle loneliness includes supporting a range of organisations through the Tackling Loneliness Hub, an online platform for professionals working to reduce loneliness; working to improve the evidence base around loneliness; and providing advice through the Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign’s advice pages.

Baroness Twycross
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether (a) her Department and (b) each of its arms length bodies offers employees who are foster carers (i) flexible working, (ii) paid time off for (A) training and (B) settling a new child into their home and (iii) other support.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has a number of policies which support employees who are foster carers and, subject to line manager approval, include:

  • A dedicated fostering employee policy where employees may be granted 5 days paid leave and up to 15 days unpaid leave. This overall entitlement can be taken as followed:

    • Up to 5 days paid leave during assessment for approval processes;

    • Up to 5 days unpaid leave during the approval process or when a child is in placement (including training and settling in);

    • Up to 10 days unpaid leave at the start of a planned permanent placement.

    • Note: staff who are fostering to adopt also have a statutory right to request up to 5 days paid special leave to attend pre-adoption appointments.

  • Flexible Working arrangements, such as flexi-time or compressed hours. All employees have a statutory right to request flexible working which applies from the first day of employment. Employees have a statutory right to make two flexible working requests in a 12 month period.

  • Unpaid and/or paid special leave, including 5 days paid leave for both a domestic emergency and for emergency dependent leave.

Our arm’s length bodies are independent employers and are responsible for implementing their own internal employee policies for foster carers, in addition to the statutory right for employees who meet qualifying criteria to request flexible working arrangements and emergency leave related to a dependent.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
20th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has received representations on the collapse of Football Index.

The Secretary of State has received letters and emails from members of the public and Members of Parliament on the collapse of BetIndex Ltd, the operator of the novel gambling product Football Index. The collapse had a significant impact on former customers, and we recognise that many people were affected, and that for some people financial losses were significant. The previous Government commissioned an Independent Review in June 2021, conducted by Malcom Sheehan KC and which reported in September 2021. The review looked at how the company had been regulated, and identified areas for improvement for the Financial Conduct Authority and the Gambling Commission. All recommendations of the report have since been implemented.

Stephanie Peacock
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
16th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20386 on Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, when she will publish the outcomes of the departmental business planning process on the future of the scheme.

On the 22nd of January, I was pleased to announce that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme would continue from March 2025 to March 2026 with a budget of £23m. Further details can be found here in the Written Statement.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
17th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to provide funding for the ongoing (a) preservation and (a) repair of listed places of worship.

There is a range of funding available via DCMS and the Department’s Arm’s-Length Bodies that supports places of worship. These include the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme; the National Lottery Heritage Fund, who have committed to investing around £100m between 2023 and 2026 to support places of worship; the Churches Conservation Trust, which funds repairs and maintenance of over 350 churches in the CCT portfolio; and Historic England's Heritage At Risk grants, funding £9 million worth of repairs to buildings on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register between April 2024 and March 2025.

On the 22nd of January, I was pleased to announce that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme would continue from March 2025 to March 2026 with a budget of £23m. Further details can be found in this Written Statement.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
15th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions she has had with representatives of the electronic music and nightclub sector on the night-time culture economy.

The Government is working closely with the live music industry to support the music and nightclub sectors.

The Government response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee's report on grassroots music venues sets out our commitment to working with the sector to support the sustainability of the entire music ecosystem. Cultural venues, like nightclubs and music venues, provide enjoyment to many thousands of people as the opportunity to hear live music up close is an essential part of our cultural life.

We are continuing to support Arts Council England’s (ACE’s) successful Supporting Grassroots Music Fund by providing £2.5 million funding in 2025-26, which provides grants to grassroots music organisations, including those that host or promote electronic music. ACE continues to engage with industry through targeted webinars and events to promote the Fund to the club sector and encourage applications.

The government recognises the role of night time economy businesses in supporting resilient high streets, and we are focused on our five-point plan to breathe life back into Britain’s high streets, to ensure they are great places for businesses, and economic growth across the UK.

To deliver the manifesto pledge to protect the high street, from 2026-27, the government intends to introduce permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality, and leisure (RHL) properties with rateable values (RV) less than £500,000. To provide further support, the government has extended RHL relief at 40% for 2025-26.

Chris Bryant
Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)