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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Actors' Trust, Spotlights and Shadows: Mapping the people and pressures of stage and screen, published on 16 March.

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

We welcome the publication of Spotlights and Shadows: Mapping the People and Pressures of Stage and Screen by the Actors' Trust and recognise the importance of the issues it raises. We are actively engaged on many of the issues highlighted in the report, and are working with industry and partners to promote safer, more inclusive working environments across the acting profession.

The Government is clear that bullying, harassment and discrimination have no place in any workplace. We support sector-led initiatives, including the work of the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, which plays a key role in establishing consistent standards on behaviour, reporting, and wellbeing. In addition, the Government’s national loneliness strategy, including campaigns to reduce stigma and encourage people to seek support, applies to those in creative sectors. Initiatives such as public awareness campaigns and the Better Health: Every Mind Matters platform promotes social connection, peer engagement, and community participation.

We are also committed to improving access and opportunity. Through the Opportunity Mission and a refreshed £9 million creative careers service, we are working with industry to broaden pathways into the sector, particularly for those from underrepresented backgrounds. A £75 million Screen Growth Package launching in April 2026 will also boost independent content and skills development, and DCMS will appoint a Creative Freelance Champion to act as an advocate for freelancers within Government and on the Creative Industries Council.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to the introduction of an unwaivable performers' remuneration right for streaming.

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

Ensuring that music creators are fairly compensated for their work is crucial to the ongoing success of our world-class music industry, as this is what allows them to invest their time, effort, and money into creating music.

As part of the government’s work to explore creators’ concerns related to music streaming, the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) commissioned independent research on the impacts of three potential legislative interventions, including equitable remuneration. Based on the evidence and recommendations presented in that research, the government decided not to pursue legislative intervention for equitable remuneration.

We have since worked with key stakeholders from across the music industry on the matter of creators’ pay from music streaming through the Creator Remuneration Working Group. The working group comprised senior representatives from across the recorded music sector, including record labels, music streaming platforms and creator representatives. We were delighted to welcome the new label-led principles as an output of these discussions, as well as the individual commitments made by the UK’s major labels, to deliver real benefits for UK creators. We are monitoring the progress of this work and will evaluate outcomes in 2027.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to review charity law to address risks arising from foreign state influence operations.

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

The Charity Commission’s recent Charity Sector Risk Assessment noted that hostile foreign states may seek to gain influence in the UK by using charities as a vehicle for promoting their worldview. The Charity Commission is alive to these threats and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited.

The Charity Commission has a range of powers at its disposal to take action against abuse of charitable status, including freezing bank accounts, directing trustees to take corrective action, or disqualifying trustees. DCMS keeps the Charity Commission’s powers and charity law under regular review and is actively seeking to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers.

The Charity Commission currently has three statutory inquiries open involving charities with alleged links to Iran: the Islamic Centre of England, Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust and Islamic Human Rights Commission Trust, as well as other non-inquiry casework.

The Charity Commission has guidance on protecting charities from abuse for extremist purposes and earlier this month published updated guidance for charities on the evolving situation in Iran.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government how many charities are currently subject to investigation by the Charity Commission because of alleged links with the Iranian regime.

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

The Charity Commission’s recent Charity Sector Risk Assessment noted that hostile foreign states may seek to gain influence in the UK by using charities as a vehicle for promoting their worldview. The Charity Commission is alive to these threats and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited.

The Charity Commission has a range of powers at its disposal to take action against abuse of charitable status, including freezing bank accounts, directing trustees to take corrective action, or disqualifying trustees. DCMS keeps the Charity Commission’s powers and charity law under regular review and is actively seeking to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers.

The Charity Commission currently has three statutory inquiries open involving charities with alleged links to Iran: the Islamic Centre of England, Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust and Islamic Human Rights Commission Trust, as well as other non-inquiry casework.

The Charity Commission has guidance on protecting charities from abuse for extremist purposes and earlier this month published updated guidance for charities on the evolving situation in Iran.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to publish guidance for charities on avoiding foreign state influence or infiltration.

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

The Charity Commission’s recent Charity Sector Risk Assessment noted that hostile foreign states may seek to gain influence in the UK by using charities as a vehicle for promoting their worldview. The Charity Commission is alive to these threats and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited.

The Charity Commission has a range of powers at its disposal to take action against abuse of charitable status, including freezing bank accounts, directing trustees to take corrective action, or disqualifying trustees. DCMS keeps the Charity Commission’s powers and charity law under regular review and is actively seeking to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers.

The Charity Commission currently has three statutory inquiries open involving charities with alleged links to Iran: the Islamic Centre of England, Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust and Islamic Human Rights Commission Trust, as well as other non-inquiry casework.

The Charity Commission has guidance on protecting charities from abuse for extremist purposes and earlier this month published updated guidance for charities on the evolving situation in Iran.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of charities as vehicles for foreign state influence operations.

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

The Charity Commission’s recent Charity Sector Risk Assessment noted that hostile foreign states may seek to gain influence in the UK by using charities as a vehicle for promoting their worldview. The Charity Commission is alive to these threats and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited.

The Charity Commission has a range of powers at its disposal to take action against abuse of charitable status, including freezing bank accounts, directing trustees to take corrective action, or disqualifying trustees. DCMS keeps the Charity Commission’s powers and charity law under regular review and is actively seeking to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers.

The Charity Commission currently has three statutory inquiries open involving charities with alleged links to Iran: the Islamic Centre of England, Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust and Islamic Human Rights Commission Trust, as well as other non-inquiry casework.

The Charity Commission has guidance on protecting charities from abuse for extremist purposes and earlier this month published updated guidance for charities on the evolving situation in Iran.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether the Charity Commission has sufficient powers to suspend or remove charitable status where organisations are suspected of promoting the interests of hostile foreign governments.

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

The Charity Commission’s recent Charity Sector Risk Assessment noted that hostile foreign states may seek to gain influence in the UK by using charities as a vehicle for promoting their worldview. The Charity Commission is alive to these threats and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited.

The Charity Commission has a range of powers at its disposal to take action against abuse of charitable status, including freezing bank accounts, directing trustees to take corrective action, or disqualifying trustees. DCMS keeps the Charity Commission’s powers and charity law under regular review and is actively seeking to strengthen the Charity Commission’s powers.

The Charity Commission currently has three statutory inquiries open involving charities with alleged links to Iran: the Islamic Centre of England, Al-Tawheed Charitable Trust and Islamic Human Rights Commission Trust, as well as other non-inquiry casework.

The Charity Commission has guidance on protecting charities from abuse for extremist purposes and earlier this month published updated guidance for charities on the evolving situation in Iran.

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 bring Rectory Farm Cottage in Huntingdon constituency back into habitable condition.

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

Rectory Farm Cottage in Abbots Ripton, Huntingdonshire is a Grade II listed building (entry number 1309586 on the National Heritage List for England).

There is no specific duty on owners to keep their listed buildings in a good state of repair, but local authorities have powers to take action where a designated heritage asset has deteriorated to the extent that its preservation may be at risk.

Neither DCMS or our statutory heritage advisor Historic England, have received any information regarding the property or its current state of repair.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent steps she has taken on assigning funding and renewing the national contract for the UK Youth Parliament for the 2026-2028 mandate.

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

DCMS has confirmed funding the UK Youth Parliament for the next financial year 2026-2027 and will be working with the National Youth Agency to deliver the programme with partners and young people. Over the coming months, DCMS will be working with young people to deliver against the ambitions of the National Youth Strategy and create more opportunities for youth empowerment and democracy.

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 end the use of promotional offers by gambling companies that may increase gambling-related harm.

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

As part of the Gambling Commission’s licence conditions, all gambling operators in the UK must comply with advertising codes enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority independently of the government. These advertising codes contain a range of measures which are designed to protect children and vulnerable adults from harm.

The Gambling Commission have also introduced further restrictions to ensure that bonuses are constructed in a responsible way which does not encourage harmful gambling. Since January 2026, operators have been banned from cross-marketing more than one gambling product within one incentive. This measure further raises standards to ensure that advertising does not encourage excessive and harmful gambling.

We will continue to monitor the best available evidence that assesses the impact of consumer protection measures when making future policy decisions.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to ways to support the BBC’s work in relation to classical music, particularly in relation to young musicians.

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

The BBC continues to hold a uniquely important role as a cornerstone of the whole of the UK’s creative economy, including playing an important role in the provision of music.

As part of the Charter Review process, the Government is looking at how the BBC can best use its significant public funding to act differently to other broadcasters and prioritise genres and activities that would otherwise be underserved by the market. We are considering options to ensure that the BBC drives opportunities and good jobs across the UK, including in the creative sector and the arts.

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the BBC charter renewal process will consider the impact of changes on the music sector.

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

The BBC continues to hold a uniquely important role as a cornerstone of the whole of the UK’s creative economy, including playing an important role in the provision of music.

As part of the Charter Review process, the Government is looking at how the BBC can best use its significant public funding to act differently to other broadcasters and prioritise genres and activities that would otherwise be underserved by the market. We are considering options to ensure that the BBC drives opportunities and good jobs across the UK, including in the creative sector and the arts.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much of the £500 million allocated to the Better Futures Fund has been committed to projects in (a) the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency, and (b) Essex.

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

DCMS is currently in the design stages of the Better Futures Fund and is currently consulting with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to assess their capacity for participation in delivery. We anticipate large-scale participation in social outcomes partnerships to commence in 2027 onwards, for which we will engage local commissioners via a dedicated capacity and capability building programme beforehand.

The Better Futures Fund is not yet open for applications. The first phase of bidding is expected to invite bids in Summer 2026 for projects where all partners have a track record of successfully delivering social outcomes partnerships.

The Better Futures Fund is part of a suite of combined measures outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy which support the government’s ambitions to tackle the structural and root causes of poverty for children, young people and their families. The Fund is being designed to fund projects that reduce the short or longer term impacts of poverty on the life chances and outcomes for children.

The Better Futures Fund will primarily fund projects that deliver social outcomes partnerships. The exact proportion will be determined during the application stages.

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 capacity of local authorities and voluntary sector organisations to design and deliver Social Outcomes Partnerships at scale.

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

DCMS is currently in the design stages of the Better Futures Fund and is currently consulting with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to assess their capacity for participation in delivery. We anticipate large-scale participation in social outcomes partnerships to commence in 2027 onwards, for which we will engage local commissioners via a dedicated capacity and capability building programme beforehand.

The Better Futures Fund is not yet open for applications. The first phase of bidding is expected to invite bids in Summer 2026 for projects where all partners have a track record of successfully delivering social outcomes partnerships.

The Better Futures Fund is part of a suite of combined measures outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy which support the government’s ambitions to tackle the structural and root causes of poverty for children, young people and their families. The Fund is being designed to fund projects that reduce the short or longer term impacts of poverty on the life chances and outcomes for children.

The Better Futures Fund will primarily fund projects that deliver social outcomes partnerships. The exact proportion will be determined during the application stages.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has made assessed the risk that the Better Futures Fund will deliver short-term measurable outcomes without addressing the underlying structural causes of child poverty.

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

DCMS is currently in the design stages of the Better Futures Fund and is currently consulting with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to assess their capacity for participation in delivery. We anticipate large-scale participation in social outcomes partnerships to commence in 2027 onwards, for which we will engage local commissioners via a dedicated capacity and capability building programme beforehand.

The Better Futures Fund is not yet open for applications. The first phase of bidding is expected to invite bids in Summer 2026 for projects where all partners have a track record of successfully delivering social outcomes partnerships.

The Better Futures Fund is part of a suite of combined measures outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy which support the government’s ambitions to tackle the structural and root causes of poverty for children, young people and their families. The Fund is being designed to fund projects that reduce the short or longer term impacts of poverty on the life chances and outcomes for children.

The Better Futures Fund will primarily fund projects that deliver social outcomes partnerships. The exact proportion will be determined during the application stages.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what proportion of projects supported through the Better Futures Fund will be delivered through Social Outcomes Partnerships.

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

DCMS is currently in the design stages of the Better Futures Fund and is currently consulting with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to assess their capacity for participation in delivery. We anticipate large-scale participation in social outcomes partnerships to commence in 2027 onwards, for which we will engage local commissioners via a dedicated capacity and capability building programme beforehand.

The Better Futures Fund is not yet open for applications. The first phase of bidding is expected to invite bids in Summer 2026 for projects where all partners have a track record of successfully delivering social outcomes partnerships.

The Better Futures Fund is part of a suite of combined measures outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy which support the government’s ambitions to tackle the structural and root causes of poverty for children, young people and their families. The Fund is being designed to fund projects that reduce the short or longer term impacts of poverty on the life chances and outcomes for children.

The Better Futures Fund will primarily fund projects that deliver social outcomes partnerships. The exact proportion will be determined during the application stages.

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 20 March 2026 to Question 120043 on Department for Culture, Media and Sport: Official Cars, whether she will provide a hyperlink to the Department’s Travel and Subsistence policy.

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

The travel and subsistence policy is an internal DCMS document which is currently under review by the department. Officials will follow the general principles for travel section of the policy attached.

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 20 March 2026, to Question 119894, on Gambling Commission: Managers, which individual(s) reviewed and approved the conflicts of interest in relation to the departing staff joining Hawkbridge, and whether there are any conditions imposed on the staff, similar to the business appointments applications process; and whether there is any gardening leave provision.

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

The Gambling Commission Chair is responsible for ensuring that any potential conflicts of interest are managed effectively in relation to departing staff. During any notice period, individuals will step back from duties which might present risks of a conflict of interest, with these duties being taken over by relevant Commission staff. Following departure, staff would be bound by confidentiality obligations and post-employment restrictions, namely limits on the use of confidential information and limits on engagement with matters relevant to their former responsibilities.

The Gambling Commission’s Corporate Governance Framework requires former employees of the Gambling Commission to maintain safeguards against conflicts of interest for six months after their departure. If an individual takes up employment in or related to the gambling industry, they must also notify the Chair of any upcoming regulatory decisions affecting their new employer.

The Gambling Commission’s Employee Code of Conduct is already freely and publicly available on the Gambling Commission’s website at the following address: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/policy/corporate-governance-framework/code-of-conduct-for-employees

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 20 March 2026, to Question 119894, on Gambling Commission: Managers, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Employee Code of Conduct.

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

The Gambling Commission Chair is responsible for ensuring that any potential conflicts of interest are managed effectively in relation to departing staff. During any notice period, individuals will step back from duties which might present risks of a conflict of interest, with these duties being taken over by relevant Commission staff. Following departure, staff would be bound by confidentiality obligations and post-employment restrictions, namely limits on the use of confidential information and limits on engagement with matters relevant to their former responsibilities.

The Gambling Commission’s Corporate Governance Framework requires former employees of the Gambling Commission to maintain safeguards against conflicts of interest for six months after their departure. If an individual takes up employment in or related to the gambling industry, they must also notify the Chair of any upcoming regulatory decisions affecting their new employer.

The Gambling Commission’s Employee Code of Conduct is already freely and publicly available on the Gambling Commission’s website at the following address: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/policy/corporate-governance-framework/code-of-conduct-for-employees

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how she supports arts programs in schools.

Answered by Georgia Gould - Minister of State (Education)

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The department is committed to revitalising arts education in schools, including changes to the curriculum, qualifications, accountability and enrichment.

We are consulting on an improved Progress 8 model, which balances a strong academic core with breadth and student choice. The current structure has hampered progress in subjects that strengthen our economy and society, including the arts. The improved version recognises the value of these subjects.

The department is supporting arts in schools through a £13 million investment in the new National Centre for Arts and Music Education, which will launch in September 2026 to provide strategic national leadership, support excellent teaching, and promote arts opportunities, ensuring every child can access a high‑quality arts education.

The department provides significant funding for the Music Hub network, Music Opportunities Pilot, Music and Dance Scheme, and Dance and Drama Awards, all designed to improve equity in the arts, mainly in schools and colleges.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committed £22.5 million enrichment in up to 400 schools, across all types of enrichment activity, including arts and culture.

Arts Council England, an arm’s-length body of DCMS, provides funding to a range of programmes that support arts in schools. As part of the government’s recent response to the independent review of Arts Council England, the department has committed to enabling all children across the country to have access to excellent culture in both schools and communities.

Found: dates: December 2021 – September 2023  Main location(s): Marlow, Bristol, Glasgow, Slough, London and DCMS

Found: value of these heritage assets will be calculated using the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS

Found: The value of these heritage assets will be calculated using the DCMS Culture and Heritage Capital Evidence

Found: The value of these heritage assets will be calculated using the DCMS Culture and Heritage Capital Evidence

Found: The value of these heritage assets will be calculated using the DCMS Culture and Heritage Capital Evidence

Found: The value of these heritage assets will be calculated using the DCMS Culture and Heritage Capital Evidence

Found: Office Strategic Transformation Plan DBT DBT_0295_2526-Q2 Drive 35 DBT DCMS_0321_2324-Q3 Euro 2028 DCMS​

Found: This bulletin provides findings from Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Economic Estimates Reports.

Found: The government’s interests were managed by a dedicated team in DCMS – the Government Olympic Executive

Found: For example, the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is delivering a data sharing

Found: with the Foreign Secretary’s six priorities, our CEO representing the British Council on the FCDO-DCMS

Found: every Local Authority area in the country, we know from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS

Found: Sport 1st Floor 100 Parliament Street London SW1A 2BQ E: enquiries@dcms.gov.uk www.gov.uk/dcms

Found: Sport 1st Floor 100 Parliament Street London SW1A 2BQ E: enquiries@dcms.gov.uk www.gov.uk/dcms

Found: Sport 1st Floor 100 Parliament Street London SW1A 2BQ E: enquiries@dcms.gov.uk www.gov.uk/dcms

Found: Sport 1st Floor 100 Parliament Street London SW1A 2BQ E: enquiries@dcms.gov.uk www.gov.uk/dcms