Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what governance mechanisms her Department plans to introduce to ensure that the Levy Board for the statutory levy on gambling is able to operate (a) independently, (b) transparently and (c) on the basis of evidence-based commissioning.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Gambling Levy Programme Board has been established as the central oversight mechanism for establishment and oversight of the levy to ensure that funding is being spent appropriately and efficiently, and that the system is delivering on its objectives. The Programme Board is chaired by DCMS Director of Sport and Gambling, and its membership consists of government officials from relevant departments across government, and the Scottish and Welsh governments. The Board's membership is currently limited to government officials as its focus is on the operational aspects of the levy system to ensure a smooth transition to and successful implementation of the new system.

We have also established the Gambling Levy Advisory Group. It is chaired by a DCMS official and membership consists of working level representation from UK Research and Innovation, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England, the appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, and the Gambling Commission. The Advisory Group brings together the research, prevention and treatment strands of the levy at a working level, facilitating appropriate integration and collaboration between commissioning leads. Funding decisions will be taken by the appropriate bodies, with scrutiny provided by relevant governance structures.

We will continue to regularly monitor the levy’s governance arrangements to ensure that there is effective oversight of delivery against objectives. We will publish the Terms of Reference for the Levy Board and Advisory Group in due course.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will publish the (a) governance framework, (b) remit, (c) terms of reference and (d) operating rules for (i) the Levy Board for the statutory levy on gambling and (ii) its associated advisory groups.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Gambling Levy Programme Board has been established as the central oversight mechanism for establishment and oversight of the levy to ensure that funding is being spent appropriately and efficiently, and that the system is delivering on its objectives. The Programme Board is chaired by DCMS Director of Sport and Gambling, and its membership consists of government officials from relevant departments across government, and the Scottish and Welsh governments. The Board's membership is currently limited to government officials as its focus is on the operational aspects of the levy system to ensure a smooth transition to and successful implementation of the new system.

We have also established the Gambling Levy Advisory Group. It is chaired by a DCMS official and membership consists of working level representation from UK Research and Innovation, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England, the appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, and the Gambling Commission. The Advisory Group brings together the research, prevention and treatment strands of the levy at a working level, facilitating appropriate integration and collaboration between commissioning leads. Funding decisions will be taken by the appropriate bodies, with scrutiny provided by relevant governance structures.

We will continue to regularly monitor the levy’s governance arrangements to ensure that there is effective oversight of delivery against objectives. We will publish the Terms of Reference for the Levy Board and Advisory Group in due course.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what the (a) names, (b) job titles and (c) names of associated organisations are of the people appointed to (i) the Levy Board for the statutory levy on gambling and (ii) its associated advisory bodies; and what criteria were used in their selection.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Gambling Levy Programme Board has been established as the central oversight mechanism for establishment and oversight of the levy to ensure that funding is being spent appropriately and efficiently, and that the system is delivering on its objectives. The Programme Board is chaired by DCMS Director of Sport and Gambling, and its membership consists of government officials from relevant departments across government, and the Scottish and Welsh governments. The Board's membership is currently limited to government officials as its focus is on the operational aspects of the levy system to ensure a smooth transition to and successful implementation of the new system.

We have also established the Gambling Levy Advisory Group. It is chaired by a DCMS official and membership consists of working level representation from UK Research and Innovation, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, NHS England, the appropriate bodies in Scotland and Wales, and the Gambling Commission. The Advisory Group brings together the research, prevention and treatment strands of the levy at a working level, facilitating appropriate integration and collaboration between commissioning leads. Funding decisions will be taken by the appropriate bodies, with scrutiny provided by relevant governance structures.

We will continue to regularly monitor the levy’s governance arrangements to ensure that there is effective oversight of delivery against objectives. We will publish the Terms of Reference for the Levy Board and Advisory Group in due course.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to ensure that large-scale commercial prize draws are subject to the same advertising regulations as other gambling products.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

This Government recognises that prize draws are a significant and growing market, and we want to ensure that people who participate in prize draws are confident that proportionate protections are in place.

Independent research was commissioned in 2023, which provided the Government with firm insights into the prize draws sector. This led to the announcement earlier this year of the intention to introduce a Voluntary Code for prize draw operators.

DCMS officials are currently working closely with the sector to develop this code, with the work underpinned by the independent research. The Code will provide a uniform approach across the sector to strengthen player protections, increase transparency and improve accountability. This approach will enable the Government to take swift action collectively within the sector. The success of this Code will dictate whether the Government decides that greater regulation may be required.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to require large-scale commercial prize draws to return a statutory minimum percentage of proceeds to charitable causes.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

This Government recognises that prize draws are a significant and growing market, and we want to ensure that people who participate in prize draws are confident that proportionate protections are in place.

Independent research was commissioned in 2023, which provided the Government with firm insights into the prize draws sector. This led to the announcement earlier this year of the intention to introduce a Voluntary Code for prize draw operators.

DCMS officials are currently working closely with the sector to develop this code, with the work underpinned by the independent research. The Code will provide a uniform approach across the sector to strengthen player protections, increase transparency and improve accountability. This approach will enable the Government to take swift action collectively within the sector. The success of this Code will dictate whether the Government decides that greater regulation may be required.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make it her policy to prevent large-scale commercial prize draws from being able to accept credit card payments from participants.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

This Government recognises that prize draws are a significant and growing market, and we want to ensure that people who participate in prize draws are confident that proportionate protections are in place.

Independent research was commissioned in 2023, which provided the Government with firm insights into the prize draws sector. This led to the announcement earlier this year of the intention to introduce a Voluntary Code for prize draw operators.

DCMS officials are currently working closely with the sector to develop this code, with the work underpinned by the independent research. The Code will provide a uniform approach across the sector to strengthen player protections, increase transparency and improve accountability. This approach will enable the Government to take swift action collectively within the sector. The success of this Code will dictate whether the Government decides that greater regulation may be required.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to p.17 of the report by NfP entitled An Unregulated Gamble, published in March 2025, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for its policies that 12 per cent of those who took part in the study by NfP understood that (a) large-scale and (b) Omaze prize draws are unregulated.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

This Government recognises that prize draws are a significant and growing market, and we want to ensure that people who participate in prize draws are confident that proportionate protections are in place.

Independent research was commissioned in 2023, which provided the Government with firm insights into the prize draws sector. This led to the announcement earlier this year of the intention to introduce a Voluntary Code for prize draw operators.

DCMS officials are currently working closely with the sector to develop this code, with the work underpinned by the independent research. The Code will provide a uniform approach across the sector to strengthen player protections, increase transparency and improve accountability. This approach will enable the Government to take swift action collectively within the sector. The success of this Code will dictate whether the Government decides that greater regulation may be required.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help increase participation in the Duke of Edinburgh award.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

I met with the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award in November 2024 and have visited the DofE Award in June 2025. DCMS is providing £1.5 million of funding in FY 25/26 to support Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and Alternative Provision schools to offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award. DCMS is also assisting the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) in forging strategic alliances with the National Governing Bodies of Sport. This includes securing funded sectional activity placements specifically for marginalised young people.

This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential. We are co-producing a new National Youth Strategy to set out a new long-term vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this. The National Youth Strategy will be published later this year. The detail and scale of future funding commitments will be announced with the Strategy.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what her planned timeline is for the introduction of a mandatory short term let registration scheme.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. A pilot will launch later this year with the scheme launching in 2026.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what criteria her Department used to select the delivery areas for the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund; and how often the list of delivery areas is reviewed.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Know Your Neighbourhood (KYN) Fund was launched in January 2023 as an up to £30 million package of funding designed to widen participation in volunteering and tackle loneliness in 27 disadvantaged areas across England. In April 2025, the KYN Fund was extended until March 2026, with an additional up to £4.5m of government funding.

The list of 27 areas eligible for KYN funding was identified using the English Index of Multiple Deprivation and the Community Needs Index. To ensure a balanced distribution between area types, the nine highest-need local authorities were selected from each of the three categories: large urban areas, medium urban areas, and rural and small urban areas. Further information on the selection methodology is publicly available on gov.uk under Annex A of the application guidance for the ‘KYN Fund Intermediary Grant Maker Competition’.

The Department does not review the list of KYN Fund delivery areas at specific intervals. This is because organisations within the delivery areas were eligible for funding until the original Fund end date (31 March 2025). In April 2025, the Fund was extended until March 2026, specifically making available uplifts to existing grant awards to organisations in the original 27 eligible delivery areas that had previously received KYN funding between 2022 and 2025.

We recognise that we are unable to reach every area in need of support with a fund of this size. A key objective of the Fund, therefore, is learning about what works in these areas. An evaluation of the Fund will therefore be published in due course.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the press release entitled New youth guarantee for eligible young people and funding for libraries in all primary schools, published on 29 September 2025, whether the funding for new school libraries will include (a) staffing costs, (b) books and (c) technology.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

As funding for this initiative will come from the Dormant Assets Scheme over which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has responsibility, your question has been transferred to my Department.

It is for individual schools to decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils, including whether to employ a qualified librarian.

Funding for this programme will come from the £132.5 million that was allocated to increasing disadvantaged young people’s access to enrichment opportunities in the arts, culture, sports and wider youth services, aimed at improving wellbeing and employability.

The Government will work with The National Lottery Community Fund to co-design the programme and will announce further details in due course, including definitions, eligibility and funding.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how her Department plans to define a library for the purposes of eligibility under the new primary school library funding scheme.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

As funding for this initiative will come from the Dormant Assets Scheme over which the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has responsibility, your question has been transferred to my Department.

It is for individual schools to decide how best to provide and maintain a library service for their pupils, including whether to employ a qualified librarian.

Funding for this programme will come from the £132.5 million that was allocated to increasing disadvantaged young people’s access to enrichment opportunities in the arts, culture, sports and wider youth services, aimed at improving wellbeing and employability.

The Government will work with The National Lottery Community Fund to co-design the programme and will announce further details in due course, including definitions, eligibility and funding.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when her Department plans to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Newton Abbot of 21 August 2025 with case reference MW09328.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

A response was sent on 15 October 2025. I apologise for the delay.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of the introduction of Local Visitor Economy Partnerships on tourism levels in (a) England and (b) Lancashire.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) work collaboratively at local, regional and national levels on shared priorities and targets to support and grow the visitor economy.

Each LVEP sets out how they measure their agreed activities in their annual growth plan. DCMS and VisitEngland continue to monitor the impact of LVEPs by collaborating with them on their identified growth priorities and sharing best practice.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much the Women’s Sport Taskforce (a) has cost her Department since 4 July 2025 and (b) will cost annually.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

There is no additional cost to the department as a result of the Women’s Sport Taskforce, however, officials within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport are allocated to support the Taskforce.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with Sky UK Limited about proposed redundancies at its (a) Leeds, (b) Livingston and (c) Osterley sites.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

While I engage with a number of stakeholders across the TV industry on issues relevant to the sector, employment decisions are a matter for Sky as an independent company.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the independent review of Arts Council England following the closure of the public consultation on 30 June.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

Baroness Hodge will share her findings with the government in the Autumn of 2025, and the government will publish the conclusions of the review along with the government’s response in early 2026.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent progress her Department has made in launching Young Futures Hubs.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

This Government has committed to up to fifty Young Futures Hubs to be launched over the next four years. The first eight early adopter hubs will be operational by the end of this financial year, backed by a £2m investment and targeted in areas with high levels of crime. Each Young Futures Hub will meet three outcomes of increasing opportunities, improving mental health and wellbeing, and reducing crime. The Government is working closely with the eight early adopters and other stakeholders to design the programme, leveraging local understanding of services in each area.

Young Futures Hubs are part of a wider approach to improve services for young people through the National Youth Strategy, a new long-term vision for young people to be launched later this year.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, further to the recent announcement of £400m UK Government funding for grassroots sports facilities, how much will go to (a) tennis and (b) padel facilities.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK following the Spending Review. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need and will then set out further plans. I have met with the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other sports, to discuss this.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport in England through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. This includes long term investment in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of providing funding for (a) tennis and (b) padel facilities.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK following the Spending Review. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need and will then set out further plans. I have met with the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other sports, to discuss this.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport in England through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. This includes long term investment in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to increase the provision of (a) indoor and (b) covered tennis facilities in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK following the Spending Review. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need and will then set out further plans. I have met with the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other sports, to discuss this.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport in England through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. This includes long term investment in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to take steps to increase access to padel courts in Ely and East Cambridgeshire constituency.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK following the Spending Review. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need and will then set out further plans. I have met with the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other sports, to discuss this.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport in England through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. This includes long term investment in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to provide funding to the New Brewery Arts in Cirencester through the Arts Everywhere Fund.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The government is making a substantial investment in the cultural sector across England through the £270 million Arts Everywhere Fund, which includes the £85 million Creative Foundations Fund. This fund is specifically designed to address critical infrastructure issues faced by cultural organisations, ensuring their long-term sustainability and ability to continue providing valuable services to communities. The recent Spending Review also secured substantial investment for arts, culture, and heritage infrastructure. This significant financial commitment underscores the government's dedication to supporting the arts, culture, and heritage sectors

Arts Council England is responsible for managing the Creative Foundations Fund. They are currently in the process of assessing applications and plan to make their award decisions public, as well as notify all applicants, by the end of March 2026. We understand that New Brewery Arts has previously benefited from an Arts Council England grant.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how her Department plans to support the LTA in developing covered (a) tennis, (b) padel and (c) multi-sport facilities to help facilitate (i) year-round and (ii) all-weather participation.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK following the Spending Review. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need and will then set out further plans. I have met with the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other sports, to discuss this.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. This includes long term investment in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to support the development of (a) affordable and (b) accessible padel courts in (i) Birmingham Edgbaston constituency and (ii) other parts of the UK.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK following the Spending Review. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need and will then set out further plans. I have met with the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other sports, to discuss this.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. This includes long term investment in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to increase the number of (a) indoor and (b) covered tennis facilities in Birmingham Edgbaston constituency.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK following the Spending Review. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need and will then set out further plans. I have met with the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other sports, to discuss this.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. This includes long term investment in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives in England that will benefit as many people as possible.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to ensure that every young person has access to sporting facilities.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, including children and young people, should have access to, and benefit from, quality sport and physical activity opportunities.

Sports facilities provide important community hubs for people of all ages to be active and connect people to the places in which they live. On 19 June 2025, the Culture Secretary announced that following the Spending Review, at least £400 million is going to be invested into new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities in communities right across the UK, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what each community needs, including for children and young people, and will then set out further plans.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with social media platforms on reducing the advertisement and sale of counterfeit toys online.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the independent regulator for advertising in the UK and enforces the Advertising Codes. These codes include specific rules intended to protect consumers from misleading marketing communications, which would apply to adverts for toys. If advertising includes the omission, exaggeration, or ambiguous presentation of information, it can be considered misleading. The ASA works with online platforms via its Intermediary and Platform Principles to promote greater adherence to the non-broadcast advertising codes, resulting in more responsible advertising online.

The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 also requires online marketplaces to exercise professional diligence in relation to consumer transactions promoted or made on their platforms, which would include the sale of toys.  The Government commenced Part 4, Chapter 1 of the Act, which sets out the rules for unfair trading, in April 2025.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of removing the requirement for local authorities to publish statutory public notices in local newspapers on (a) local transparency and (b) democratic accountability in Surrey.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is concerned about the sustainability of local journalism and DCMS is developing a Local Media Strategy in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. We also recognise that local press continues to play a vital role in informing local communities, and that public notices can be important in helping inform the public of decisions made by their council which may affect their quality of life, local services or amenities, or their property.

However, we are also aware of concerns from some sectors about the audience reach of these notices and the desire for greater digitalisation. In this context, the sector’s Public Notice Portal is a welcome innovation, taking advantage of print publishers’ growing digital audiences and providing a centralised resource for all types of public notice. We also welcome the Portal's current expansion to include archive and consultation functions to help public bodies and commercial entities engage with the public more effectively.

DCMS is monitoring the progress of the Portal, and the effect that it has on the audience reach of public notices. This type of industry innovation and collaboration is integral to securing the sector’s future. It will be taken into account in our planned review of public notices as part of the Local Media Strategy, which will more broadly consider the merits of making changes to existing requirements to place public notices in print local newspapers, including the impact this has on local transparency and democratic accountability across the country, including in Surrey. More will be announced on the Strategy and the review in the coming months.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of radio signal back up power systems in ensuring radio signals continue working during power cuts.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government understands the importance of access to information when other communications may be disrupted. Radio plays an essential role in providing such access. In order to fulfil DCMS responsibilities as Lead Government Department for Broadcast Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), DCMS works closely with broadcast CNI operators and technical authorities to maintain security and resilience against a wide range of scenarios including power outages.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the adequacy of leisure facilities available for disabled people in South Holland and the Deepings constituency.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government believes that opportunities to play sport and get physically active should be available to everyone.

In June, we committed another £400 million to transform sports facilities across the whole of the UK over the next four years, supporting the Government's Plan for Change. We will ensure that this funding promotes health, wellbeing and community cohesion and helps to remove the barriers to physical activity for under-represented groups, including disabled people. We are working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need, before setting out further plans on how future funding will be allocated across the UK.

The ongoing responsibility of providing access to public leisure facilities lies at local authority level, with funding levels set as part of the Local Government Finance Settlement. The Government encourages local authorities to make investments which offer the right opportunities and facilities for the communities they serve, investing in sport and physical activity with a place-based approach, to meet the needs of individual communities.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2025 to Question 76809 on Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Public Bodies, how many appointments have been made to each of the respective Boards of her Department's public bodies since July 2024.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Since 10 July 2024, 121 regulated appointments and reappointments have been made to the Boards of the Department for Culture, Media & Sport’s public bodies. This data only includes regulated appointments made to relevant boards as listed in the Public Appointments Order in Council 2019.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what estimate she has made of the cost to her Department of climate -related extreme weather since 1 January 2020.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The government’s third UK Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA3), published in 2021 under the UK Climate Change Act 2008, includes a Monetary Valuation of Risks and Opportunities assessment of the current and future costs of climate change to the UK, including in relation to cultural heritage, where the estimated costs are currently unknown.

The Third National Adaptation Programme (NAP3) sets out the actions that government and arm’s length bodies will take to adapt the country to the impacts of climate change from 2023 to 2028, including risks to cultural heritage (H11) which represents DCMS sectors. For estimating future costs of extreme weather, decisions on key government spending are subject to clear requirements through the Green Book. This includes supplementary guidance which covers the impacts of climate change, i.e. accounting for the effects of climate change. This ensures that policies, programmes and projects are resilient to the effects and future costs of climate change, and that such effects are being taken fully into account when appraising policy options.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 1 September 2025 to Question 73844 on Social media, how much her Department has spent on promotion through social media influencers by influencer since July 2024.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Department works with content creators who are vital trusted voices to help us reach hard-to-reach audiences with government campaign messaging. For example, earlier this year, the Department worked with four social media influencers to promote the National Youth Strategy's survey for young people. We are however unable to provide a cost breakdown on influencers specifically due to commercial sensitivities which could prejudice commercial interests. All spend in these areas are subject to the standard value for money assessments.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the illegal betting market on the horseracing industry.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The issue of illegal gambling is a concern for this Government and we are committed to working closely with the Gambling Commission, the statutory regulator for gambling in Great Britain, to ensure that illegal gambling, in all its forms, is addressed. The Crime and Policing Bill, introduced in Parliament on 25 February 2025, will grant the Gambling Commission with new powers to more quickly and effectively take down illegal gambling websites.

Estimating the size of the illegal gambling market is difficult due to the changing nature of the sites and channels through which customers are able to access illegal activity. While research in this space is improving, further research is required to robustly estimate the extent of illegal gambling within Great Britain, who is engaging with it, and the impact that it is having on issues such as horseracing and tax revenues. This is a priority area of research for the Gambling Commission. We will continue to monitor the latest evidence in this area to improve our understanding of the illegal market.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the illegal betting market on revenues collected by HMRC.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The issue of illegal gambling is a concern for this Government and we are committed to working closely with the Gambling Commission, the statutory regulator for gambling in Great Britain, to ensure that illegal gambling, in all its forms, is addressed. The Crime and Policing Bill, introduced in Parliament on 25 February 2025, will grant the Gambling Commission with new powers to more quickly and effectively take down illegal gambling websites.

Estimating the size of the illegal gambling market is difficult due to the changing nature of the sites and channels through which customers are able to access illegal activity. While research in this space is improving, further research is required to robustly estimate the extent of illegal gambling within Great Britain, who is engaging with it, and the impact that it is having on issues such as horseracing and tax revenues. This is a priority area of research for the Gambling Commission. We will continue to monitor the latest evidence in this area to improve our understanding of the illegal market.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the risk of skin gambling on young people.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Unlicensed skins gambling websites operate illegally outside of the video game ecosystem. Earlier this year, we commissioned independent research to better understand skins gambling and its impact on children and young people. The resulting rapid evidence review on skins gambling was published in September. This review and its conclusions will form part of our consideration when determining what future policy changes may be needed around how to best protect children and young people from skins gambling related harms.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to provide funding for charities supporting young people that do not meet the eligibility criteria for the (a) Youth Investment Fund and (b) Better Youth Spaces Fund.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government will publish the National Youth Strategy in the autumn, which will outline future priorities and funding opportunities for the youth sector.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they made of advice issued by Historic England and the Twentieth Century Society relating to the listing of (1) the principal surviving buildings of the former Holborn Union Infirmary and Whittington Hospital at Archway, (2) Medlock Mill in Manchester, and (3) other buildings they have received advice on in the last year, and why they decided to go against this advice.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Secretary of State is required to consult Historic England before deciding whether to designate a listed building. Decisions are informed by advice from Historic England and relevant representations from other interested parties, including the Twentieth Century Society, then made in accordance with the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 and the Secretary of State’s Principles of Selection for Listed Buildings (2018). The Department takes decisions on whether or not to list based on the criteria of special architectural or historic interest.

The reasoning behind the decisions in cases where there is a departure from Historic England's recommendation is detailed in decision letters to Historic England. That reasoning is then shared by Historic England alongside their notifications to interested parties of the decisions made.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions (a) she and (b) Ministers have had with (a) the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and (b) other Cabinet colleagues on the introduction of a ticket resale cap since 6 September 2025.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

This Government is committed to introducing new protections for consumers on ticket resales, which is why we launched the Putting Fans First consultation on the resale of live events tickets earlier this year.

Policy responsibility for live event ticket resale is shared between DCMS and the Department for Business and Trade. Our Departments have been speaking regularly and engaging with all other relevant Departments as we consider the response to our consultation, which will be published shortly.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to her Department's press release entitled Government teams up with experts to supercharge women’s sport by the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, published on 8 September 2025, what steps her Department is taking to ensure those objectives are met by 2035.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Women's Sport Taskforce was recently launched to drive a Decade of Change in women’s sport.

The Government is working across five key pillars in order to ensure this objective is met. We are ensuring equal access to sport, with an independent expert-led review of the curriculum to ensure all children engage with PE and sport, a new School Sport Partnerships model, and the This Girl Can campaign by Sport England.

We are committed to delivering best in class facilities, with the significant investment of £98 million in 2025/26 and a further £400 million in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities, doubling priority slots for women and girls.

We are acting on recommendations from the Karen Carney Review of Women's Football and utilising the Women's Football Taskforce and Women’s Sport Taskforce to support world-leading professional environments. Further to this, we are increasing visibility of women’s sport, including delivering a drumbeat of UK hosted major events, with the recent Women's Rugby World Cup 2025, Women's T20 Cricket World Cup 2026, and the Tour de France/Tour de Femmes 2027, while also supporting the bid for the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent progress her Department has made on implementing the reprofiled Youth Investment Fund.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Youth Investment Fund continues to deliver significant numbers of new youth facilities in less advantaged areas across England.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has invested over £145 million to provide stability to the youth sector and ensure young people can continue to access opportunities, as we transition to the new National Youth Strategy. Part of this funding is in recognition of the urgent need for more youth facilities and has enabled more flexibility with project delivery and continues to support the completion of Youth Investment Fund projects into 2026.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help uphold the right to free speech.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

DCMS has responsibility for protecting media freedom, which is protected under the Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which sets out the right to freedom of expression. An integral part of DCMS's work to support media freedom is working with partners to tackle threats to journalist safety and protect journalistic freedoms. DCMS and Home Office Ministers co-chair the National Committee for the Safety of Journalists, which convenes criminal justice, civil society and media partners to tackle journalist safety and oversees a National Action Plan for the Safety of Journalists.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of grant schemes for charities.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

This government recognises the vital role that charities play in providing crucial support to different groups and communities. Although no formal assessment of grant schemes is planned, Ministers and officials regularly engage with VCSE sector representatives to understand and respond to issues within the sector.

DCMS is promoting the availability of funding for smaller charities in several ways. This includes delivery of a number of grant schemes, such as the Know Your Neighbourhood Fund and the Social Enterprise Boost Fund. Support for charities is also available through social investment. The Dormant Assets Scheme Strategy, published in June 2025, announced that the Scheme is expected to release £440 million for England over 2024-28, with £87.5 million of this funding allocated towards social investment.

There are also ways for charities to search for further funding opportunities, including:

• ‘Find a grant’ - a service that allows organisations to search for government grants. (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-government-grants)

• funding opportunities hosted by The National Lottery Community Fund (https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/funding)

• funding and income guidance from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, which includes a section on where to find grants available to charities (https://www.ncvo.org.uk/help-and-guidance/funding-income/#/)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans her Department has to update the loneliness strategy in the context of the Jo Cox Commission on Loneliness.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is committed to supporting people to have the social connections they need. Our ambition to strengthen social connection is a key part of achieving wider government work to create a healthier society, more connected communities and support young people. My department has been working hard to ensure social connection and loneliness are embedded in all government policy making, including the recently published Pride in Place strategy, the upcoming Men’s Health Strategy and National Youth Strategy.

In addition we are funding a project to develop the Tackling Loneliness Hub, which was set up to provide a forum for people working on loneliness to come together and share insights, research and best practice. My officials are exploring how the Hub can be made more accessible to the full range of people who work on loneliness, from healthcare professionals to volunteers, sports coaches to youth workers, researchers to policy makers.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to support the development of (a) affordable and (b) accessible padel courts in (i) Falkirk and (ii) Britain.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK following the Spending Review. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need and will then set out further plans. I have met with the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other sports, to discuss this.

The majority of grassroots sport policy is devolved. Sportscotland, the national agency for sport in Scotland, receives funding from the Scottish Government to support more people to get active. The Secretary of State and I regularly meet with Scottish counterparts to discuss the importance of sport and tackling physical inactivity.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport in England through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. This includes long term investment in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit as many people as possible.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she plans to increase the number of (a) indoor and (b) covered tennis facilities in Falkirk.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is determined to ensure that everyone has access to quality sport and physical activity opportunities. That is why we have committed another £400 million to transform facilities across the whole of the UK following the Spending Review. We are now working closely with sporting bodies and local leaders to establish what communities need and will then set out further plans. I have met with the Lawn Tennis Association, the National Governing Body for tennis and padel, along with representatives from other sports, to discuss this.

The majority of grassroots sport policy is devolved. Sportscotland, the national agency for sport in Scotland, receives funding from the Scottish Government to support more people to get active. The Secretary of State and I regularly meet with Scottish counterparts to discuss the importance of sport and tackling physical inactivity.

The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport in England through Sport England, which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. This includes long term investment in the Lawn Tennis Association, which receives up to £10.2 million for five years from 2022 to 2027 to invest in community tennis and padel initiatives that will benefit as many people as possible.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to improve services for young people in South Shropshire constituency.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Local authorities play a key part in delivering youth services, reflected in their statutory duty to provide sufficient leisure-time activities and facilities in line with local needs. In 25/26 we are investing £8m in the Local Youth Transformation (LYT) Pilot to support local authorities to rebuild a high-quality offer for young people and transition back to local youth services leadership. Shropshire County Council is one of the 12 local authorities participating in the pilot, and they have been awarded £695,131.

This Government fully recognises the importance of youth services to help young people live safe and healthy lives, and we are committed to giving all young people the chance to reach their full potential. We are co-producing a new National Youth Strategy to set out a new long-term vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this. The National Youth Strategy will be published later this year.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of online storefronts or game servers being shut down on (a) consumer rights and (b) digital ownership.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government is aware of concerns relating to the continued access to video games, including licensed, online-only video games, and we appreciate the frustrations of players of some games that have been discontinued. The Government has spoken with the video games industry and has responded to a recent petition on this issue. As the petition has since reached 100,000 signatures, it will be debated by Parliament on 3 November 2025.

Those selling games must comply with existing requirements in consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) and Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA), giving clear advice to consumers. Video game sellers must not omit or hide material information, or provide it in an unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely manner. If consumers believe that there has been a breach of these regulations, they should report it to the Citizens Advice helpline on 0808 223 1133 (www.citizensadvice.org.uk)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 21 October 2025 to Question 78098 on Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation and Responsible Technology Adoption Unit, how many full time equivalent staff there were in the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation by grade at the end of the 2022-23 financial year.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Full Time Equivalent Staff for the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation by Grade at the end of the 2022-23 Financial year is shown below.

*data exempted under Section 40(2)

Some personal information has been withheld under section 40(2) (personal information) of the Act. Section 40(2) is an ‘absolute’ exemption and the department is not obliged to consider whether the public interest favours disclosing the information. Section 40(2) exempts personal information from disclosure if that information relates to someone other than the applicant, and if disclosure of the information would, amongst other things, contravene one of the data protection principles in Article 5 of the UK GDPR. In this case, I believe disclosure would contravene the first data protection principle, which provides that personal data must be processed fairly and lawfully. This information has been withheld as there were a small number of staff who met the criteria of your request . The department does not release information that affects a low number of staff as this would make them easily identifiable to the wider public.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with local newspaper companies on the potential impact of Recommendation 4 of the Licensing policy sprint: joint industry and HM government taskforce report, published on 31 July 2025, on local newspapers.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Following the Licensing taskforce report, the Government published a Call for Evidence on reforming the licensing system on 7 October, which closes on 6 November. The Call for Evidence invites views on licensing reforms, including in relation to Recommendation 4 of the taskforce on ending the requirement for printed statutory notices in local newspapers for alcohol licences. The reforms collectively aim to create a modern, proportionate, and enabling system that supports economic growth, revitalises high streets and fosters vibrant communities.

More broadly, the Government is concerned about the sustainability of local journalism and DCMS is developing a Local Media Strategy, in recognition of the importance of this vital sector. We also recognise that local press continues to play a central role in informing local communities, and that public notices can be important in helping inform the public of decisions made by their council which may affect their quality of life, local services or amenities, or their property. We are planning a review of all types of public notice as part of the Local Media Strategy, which will more broadly consider the merits of making changes to existing requirements to place public notices in print local newspapers and also take forward final decisions on the future of alcohol licence notices.

We regularly engage with industry stakeholders on this and other key issues, including through our Local Media Strategy working group set up earlier this year to consider our overall plans for the Strategy in more detail, and welcome the industry’s input into the Call for Evidence. More will be announced on the Strategy and review in the coming months.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help increase the number of companies making charitable donations.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Corporations donate around £4 billion per year to charity. This Government has three priorities for philanthropy, to: connect philanthropic investment with the places that need it most; unlock extra philanthropic investment; and partner with civil society, communities, donors and businesses to celebrate a culture of giving. This includes championing existing reliefs and ways to donate, with Government granting around £1 billion a year in tax relief for companies' donations.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to take steps to help encourage companies to give more to charity.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Corporations donate around £4 billion per year to charity. This Government has three priorities for philanthropy, to: connect philanthropic investment with the places that need it most; unlock extra philanthropic investment; and partner with civil society, communities, donors and businesses to celebrate a culture of giving. This includes championing existing reliefs and ways to donate, with Government granting around £1 billion a year in tax relief for companies' donations.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, which towns will be eligible to bid for the UK Town of Culture; and what criteria will be used to define what a town is for the purposes of the competition.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The new UK Town of Culture competition aims to boost civic pride in our towns through recognising their cultural contributions to public life and actively supporting their continued development. Regarding eligibility criteria, we will advise small and medium size towns apply to this new competition, and refer larger towns to the UK City of Culture competition. This, however, will not be mandated and it will be for the places themselves to decide which competition they wish to apply for. We will provide further guidelines and support in due course to ensure all places can confidently engage with the competition.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to support local media in (a) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (b) Lincolnshire.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

Sustainability of local journalism across the country is an area of particular concern for this Government, including in South Holland and the Deepings and more broadly across Lincolnshire. The Government understands the important work that local news does across the UK, including outlets such as the Spalding Guardian and the Lincolnshire Echo. 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. DCMS ministers held a roundtable discussion with local news editors in the spring to discuss the planned approach and collaboration with industry on the Strategy. An industry working group has since been set up to consider the issues in more detail and has been meeting regularly since June. More will be announced on the Strategy in the coming months.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the current method of funding the BBC.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Charter Review will consider a range of issues, including how the BBC can continue to prosper, supported by a sustainable funding model.

The Government is keeping an open mind about the future of the licence fee. We will work closely with the BBC, and engage with other broadcasters, stakeholders across the creative industries, as well as the British public, to inform our thinking.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department's responsibilities include media literacy.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government aims to improve media literacy through cross-government collaboration, educational initiatives and collaboration with Ofcom, civil society, and online platforms. This approach supports Ofcom's regulatory media literacy duties and promotes media literacy through broader policy initiatives and cross-sector collaboration.

As the lead department for media literacy, DSIT is committed to improving media literacy through coordinated cross-government work. DCMS contributes to this cross-government effort by supporting a free, sustainable and plural media landscape.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help improve media literacy.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Government aims to improve media literacy through cross-government collaboration, educational initiatives and collaboration with Ofcom, civil society, and online platforms. This approach supports Ofcom's regulatory media literacy duties and promotes media literacy through broader policy initiatives and cross-sector collaboration.

As the lead department for media literacy, DSIT is committed to improving media literacy through coordinated cross-government work. DCMS contributes to this cross-government effort by supporting a free, sustainable and plural media landscape.

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Found: at University of Bristol) (WPA0001) 2 abusive materials (CSAM) detection tools, as part of the DCMS

Found: under the National Heritage Act 1983 and sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS

Found: under the National Heritage Act 1983 and sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS

Found: enhances UK’s reputation in post-conflict reconstruction and in cultural heritage through delivery of the DCMS-funded

Found: UK’s reputation in post-conflict reconstruction and in cultural heritage through delivery of the DCMS-funded

Found: SFT0085) to Soft Power Inquiry About Tate Tate is a registered charity and public body reporting into DCMS

Found: SFT0085) to Soft Power Inquiry About Tate Tate is a registered charity and public body reporting into DCMS

Found: advancing UK soft power, as demonstrated by its position on the British Icon Index, we are urging FCDO and DCMS

Found: UK soft power, as demonstrated by its position on the British Icon Index, we are urging FCDO and DCMS

Found: Soft Power Council and its effectiveness The RBO is supportive of a co-ordinated approach between DCMS

Found: The RBO is supportive of a co-ordinated approach between DCMS and FCDO that leverages the skills and

Found: The FCDO and DCMS are working jointly on this agenda, together with other Departments and Devolved Governments

Found: The FCDO and DCMS are working jointly on this agenda, together with other Departments and Devolved Governments

Found: already work very closely with FCDO and other Gov depts/teams including DSIT, DBT and, of course, DCMS

Found: already work very closely with FCDO and other Gov depts/teams including DSIT, DBT and, of course, DCMS

Found: Stronger Collaboration Between Sport and the FCDO The FCDO, with support from DCMS, should take a greater

Found: Stronger Collaboration Between Sport and the FCDO The FCDO, with support from DCMS, should take a greater

Found: Tourist Authority) is the national tourism agency, operating as a non-departmental public body funded by DCMS

Found: Authority) is the national tourism agency, operating as a non- departmental public body funded by DCMS

Found: DCMS does a lot of great work on support, but it tends to be on the sport end of it.

Found: DCMS does a lot of great work on support, but it tends to be on the sport end of it.

Found: tax system HC 645 22nd Government’s support for biomass HC 715 21st Fixing NHS Dentistry HC 648 20th DCMS

Found: Heritage, environment and access (DCMS/Defra/Natural England/EA) D1.

Found:  Although sponsored by DCMS, Historic England also supports Defra as a delivery body for schemes within

Found: It is essentially input from across the UK Government, primarily through the FCDO, but also from DCMS

Found: The 10-year horizon for the licences is for Ofcom and DCMS, but that is the timeframe that they use.

Found: tax system HC 645 22nd Government’s support for biomass HC 715 21st Fixing NHS Dentistry HC 648 20th DCMS

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on (a) horseracing, (b) the equine sector and (c) the rural economy.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra regularly engages with other Departments including The Treasury to ensure our interests, including in rural areas, are not overlooked. The Spending Review settlement outlined the Government’s support for the rural economy and to protect the countryside. Defra will confirm detailed allocations for other programmes through this round of business planning.

We know that rural areas offer significant potential for growth and are central to our economy, contributing over £259 billion a year to England alone. This Government is committed to improving quality of life for people in rural areas, to realise the full potential of rural business and communities.

Defra recognises the importance of the equine sector to the economy. Defra engages with the industry on protecting public health, managing disease outbreak, and ensuring welfare and biosecurity, and works across Government on broader issues, such as domestic business and international trade.

DCMS lead on engagement with the Treasury on support for the horseracing sector. Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct Government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. This year’s levy yield is set to be around £108 million which, if confirmed, exceeds the previous year's figure of £105 million.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government why they have not provided additional funding to the Northern Ireland Football Fund, on the same basis as support for the redevelopment of Casement Park, to ensure parity of funding between major sports in Northern Ireland.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Northern Ireland Football Fund is an Executive initiative introduced in 2011. The Government has provided funding to grassroots clubs throughout Northern Ireland, many of which are football clubs. DCMS invests in grassroots facilities in Northern Ireland through the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme, and will announce further projects in due course.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 20 October 2025 to Question 80133 on Science: Research, when she plans to take steps with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on a coordinated approach for science centres.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 October 2025 to Question UIN 80133. The Government recognises the important role science and discovery centres play in engaging the public with science and inspiring young people. Minister Vallance has written to DCMS to explore a coordinated approach.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to help improve safety at motorsport events.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and associated regulations provide a framework for securing the health, safety and welfare of those working in the motorsports industry. Employers and the self-employed are required to comply with this law. A further duty is placed on them by Regulation 3 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which requires every employer to make a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the risks to those employees and non-employees in relation to risks arising from conduct of their undertaking and share the significant findings.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) holds the national policy lead for occupational health and safety in the leisure industry, including recreational motorsports, however, local authorities (LAs) are primarily responsible for enforcing health and safety law at individual events. HSE regularly liaises with colleagues from the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) who also have an interest in this topic.

HSE and DCMS attend the LA motorsports forum which meets quarterly online. A number of the motorsports authorising bodies have presented to this group to raise awareness of key topics. HSE and the forum have produced a best practice aide-memoire for LA regulatory visits. This document is under final LA consultation before moving to publication shortly.

HSE seeks to promote safety at events by making practical advice and guidance available for organisers of motorsport events. The HSE publication ‘Managing health and safety at motorsports events’ describes the main risks at motorsport events and some of the steps that can safeguard the health and safety of employees, participants, and spectators. This guidance is made freely available by HSE at https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg112.pdf

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how many officials were investigated under their Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last five years.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

DSIT was formed following machinery of government changes in 2023 which saw staff join the department from BEIS, DCMS and Cabinet Office. Consequently, data is only available from 2024 onwards. HR Casework data indicates the following number of disciplinary investigations in 2024 and 2025 respectively:

2024 – 4

2025 – 9

The data provided only relates to occasions where HR Casework Services (HRCW) were engaged for support. Investigations conducted where the investigations manager did not require support from HRCW will not be reflected in this data, and there is no central repository of these investigations. This data reflects core DSIT employees and not those employed by partner organisations including UKSA or BDUK.

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