National Trust Acts
Debate between Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury and Baroness Twycross
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I am sure that all noble Lords would agree with one of the co-founders of the National Trust, Octavia Hill—herself probably viewed as quite radical at the time—when she said that
“We all want quiet. We all want beauty … we all need space”.
It behoves all of us to support the National Trust in ensuring that there is equality of access to nature and history, by both opening up historic buildings and preserving heritage and our countryside in a way that preserves it for the future.
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (LD)
My Lords, local authority expenditure has fallen dramatically in recent years, as has DCMS grant in aid. Heritage organisations are struggling with managing and maintaining both buildings and the natural environment. The National Trust’s new 10-year strategy highlights this. As well as bricks and mortar, the National Trust includes the white cliffs of Dover and sections of the Welsh coastal path in its areas of responsibility. How do the Government intend to help support the heritage sector to be resilient and net-zero efficient in protecting its heritage assets?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
One of the ways that the trust is trying to ensure that the countryside, peatland and so forth are available for future generations is through its work to help the UK reach net zero by 2050. This Government have committed to be the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than that in which we found it. We are very supportive of the work that the National Trust does, as the biggest conservation charity in Europe, to ensure that future generations can enjoy what many of us enjoy on a regular basis.
Cultural Sector: Freedom of Speech
Debate between Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury and Baroness Twycross
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
It is important to recognize that arts organisations operate independently of government, and which philanthropic donations they should accept are therefore commercial decisions for them. But I am clear that philanthropy has historically allowed audiences, including me, to enjoy fabulous cultural experiences that they would not otherwise have enjoyed and which open up the arts and culture. Some of the big exhibitions rely on philanthropy; I am thinking particularly of the Van Gogh exhibition, which I know from speaking to Members that many people in this House have attended. The Charity Commission has published guidance in the past year to help charities when deciding whether to accept, refuse or return a donation. I hope that will provide some clarity and, where organisations are charities, they should have regard to it.
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (LD)
My Lords, creatives in the cultural sector need their intellectual property to be protected—as a key source of their livelihoods—as well as their human rights. This is being actively threatened by artificial intelligence—“theft” is the word that the noble Baroness, Lady Kidron, used in this Chamber—because when it comes to training AI models, there is no transparency. The Government accept this, so do they also accept the words of the Creative Rights in AI Coalition? It says that the solution is not just about transparency but that the priority in safeguarding UK creative IP from exploitation by AI must be to ensure that current copyright laws are registered and enforceable.
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
The noble Baroness raises a really interesting point. It goes some way from the original Question so I will be honest and say, rather than answering it on the hoof, that I would be very happy to sit down with her and talk through the issue that she raises in more detail.
BBC: Impartiality
Debate between Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury and Baroness Twycross(2 months, 3 weeks ago)
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Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I agree that the BBC has a very positive reputation overseas. The correct handling of complaints is part of that reputation and sustains it. It is a really important part of our soft diplomacy, which is why the Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, announced yesterday that the Government will provide the BBC World Service with a funding uplift of £32.6 million in 2025-26.
Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury (LD)
My Lords, does the Minister not agree that as all political parties, including my own, complain about the BBC, it must be doing something right and is demonstrating impartiality? There are clear processes through Ofcom, as she said, for those who wish to complain. Is she satisfied that Ofcom is carrying out its statutory obligations on impartiality with regard to GB News?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I agree with the noble Baroness’s first point; everyone across your Lordships’ House will get frustrated at some point, which is probably a sign that the BBC is on the right track. On news and current affairs, as the Question suggests, all broadcasters have a responsibility to be duly accurate and impartial. It is for Ofcom, as the regulator, to ensure compliance. We believe it takes that responsibility seriously.