Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of research by Cambridge University and Fudan University showing a link between social isolation and the increased risk of heart disease, stroke and infections; and what steps they intend to take to address loneliness in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government recognises that chronic loneliness is linked to negative health outcomes, and welcomes further research in this space, including the new research by Cambridge University and Fudan University. The Government continues to be evidence led in its approach to addressing loneliness.
The Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) leads on the cross-government tackling loneliness programme for England. DCMS’s current work to tackle loneliness includes supporting a range of organisations through the Tackling Loneliness Hub, an online platform for professionals working to reduce loneliness; working to improve the evidence base around loneliness; and providing advice through the Better Health: Every Mind Matters campaign’s advice pages.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of the potential benefits of strengthening advertising regulation in relation to children and young people.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is the independent body responsible for regulating advertising in the UK and co-regulates broadcast advertising under contract with Ofcom. The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP), sister organisations of the ASA, are responsible for codifying the standards for advertising in their CAP and BCAP Codes. Within these codes, specific rules are set out for advertising to children, along with rules to ensure that adverts for age-restricted products are not targeted towards those under the age of 18.
The Government continues to work with industry through the Online Advertising Taskforce to explore non-legislative measures to improve trust, transparency and accountability in the online advertising ecosystem. The Taskforce has agreed a programme of work focused on tackling illegal advertising and minimising children being served advertising for products and services illegal to sell to them. Six industry-led working groups report to the Taskforce, including an age-assurance working group which specifically looks to improve standards to reduce children’s exposure to advertising for age-restructed products. More details on its work can be found in the Online Advertising Taskforce’s Progress Report 2023 - 2024.
The Government is keen to see industry working together in the first instance but will continue to monitor the regulatory framework to see if further legislation is needed.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to implementing a similar policy for gambling advertising to the recently announced ban on junk food advertising before 9pm.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As I set out in my speech at the GambleAware conference on 4 December, I want to see the gambling industry further raise standards to ensure that levels of gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm. This work will be monitored closely.
There are a range of robust rules in place to ensure that gambling adverts, wherever they appear, are socially responsible with provisions specifically designed to protect children. As part of the UK Advertising Codes, adverts must not be placed in children’s media and advertisers must take all reasonable steps to ensure that under-18s are excluded from their targeted marketing. As the statutory regulator for gambling in Great Britain, the Gambling Commission requires all licensed operators to abide by the Advertising Codes. As part of the Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising, gambling adverts, with exception of bingo and lotteries, cannot be shown during pre-watershed hours. Gambling operators cannot allow their logos or any other promotional material to appear on any commercial merchandising designed for children, including on children’s replica shirts.
The Government’s steps to restrict the advertising of less healthy food and drink is part of the commitment to tackle the childhood obesity crisis. The Government is also committed to strengthening protections to ensure that people can reduce the risks that can ensue from harmful gambling. We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence on the impact of gambling advertising from a wide range of sources in order to ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the impact that banning gambling advertising before 9pm would have on reducing gambling harms among under 18s.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As I set out in my speech at the GambleAware conference on 4 December, I want to see the gambling industry further raise standards to ensure that levels of gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm. This work will be monitored closely.
There are a range of robust rules in place to ensure that gambling adverts, wherever they appear, are socially responsible with provisions specifically designed to protect children. As part of the UK Advertising Codes, adverts must not be placed in children’s media and advertisers must take all reasonable steps to ensure that under-18s are excluded from their targeted marketing. As the statutory regulator for gambling in Great Britain, the Gambling Commission requires all licensed operators to abide by the Advertising Codes. As part of the Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising, gambling adverts, with exception of bingo and lotteries, cannot be shown during pre-watershed hours. Gambling operators cannot allow their logos or any other promotional material to appear on any commercial merchandising designed for children, including on children’s replica shirts.
The Government’s steps to restrict the advertising of less healthy food and drink is part of the commitment to tackle the childhood obesity crisis. The Government is also committed to strengthening protections to ensure that people can reduce the risks that can ensue from harmful gambling. We are committed to reviewing the best available evidence on the impact of gambling advertising from a wide range of sources in order to ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what basis they decided to set the statutory levy on gambling operators for land-based adult gaming centres at a different rate to that for casinos and other comparable land-based operators.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As set out in the Government’s response to the consultation on the statutory levy, we want to ensure levy rates are charged fairly, proportionately, and in a way which accounts for the higher fixed operating costs, levels of harm associated with some products compared to others, and the licensing regime.
We will conduct a formal review of the levy system within 5 years, where the structure and health of the levy system will be assessed. We also recognise that the needs, demands and priorities of the system may change over time, and are committed to regularly monitoring the system to ensure it is delivering on its objectives. Should we see evidence of issues in the system, we will take appropriate action.
As I set out in my speech at the GambleAware conference on 4 December, I want to see the gambling industry further raise standards to ensure that levels of gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm. This work will be monitored closely. We are also committed to reviewing the best available evidence on the impact of gambling advertising from a wide range of sources in order to ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their response to the consultation on the structure, distribution and governance of the statutory levy on gambling operators, updated on 27 November, what plans they have to ban gambling advertising.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As set out in the Government’s response to the consultation on the statutory levy, we want to ensure levy rates are charged fairly, proportionately, and in a way which accounts for the higher fixed operating costs, levels of harm associated with some products compared to others, and the licensing regime.
We will conduct a formal review of the levy system within 5 years, where the structure and health of the levy system will be assessed. We also recognise that the needs, demands and priorities of the system may change over time, and are committed to regularly monitoring the system to ensure it is delivering on its objectives. Should we see evidence of issues in the system, we will take appropriate action.
As I set out in my speech at the GambleAware conference on 4 December, I want to see the gambling industry further raise standards to ensure that levels of gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm. This work will be monitored closely. We are also committed to reviewing the best available evidence on the impact of gambling advertising from a wide range of sources in order to ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the appropriate frequency for the review of the structure of the statutory levy on the gambling industry to ensure the levy delivers its objectives.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As set out in the Government’s response to the consultation on the statutory levy, we want to ensure levy rates are charged fairly, proportionately, and in a way which accounts for the higher fixed operating costs, levels of harm associated with some products compared to others, and the licensing regime.
We will conduct a formal review of the levy system within 5 years, where the structure and health of the levy system will be assessed. We also recognise that the needs, demands and priorities of the system may change over time, and are committed to regularly monitoring the system to ensure it is delivering on its objectives. Should we see evidence of issues in the system, we will take appropriate action.
As I set out in my speech at the GambleAware conference on 4 December, I want to see the gambling industry further raise standards to ensure that levels of gambling advertising does not exacerbate harm. This work will be monitored closely. We are also committed to reviewing the best available evidence on the impact of gambling advertising from a wide range of sources in order to ensure there are robust protections in place to protect those at risk.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of churches and cathedrals currently open for daily access that would be likely to be closed for daily public access due to their condition as a result of any withdrawal of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme in March 2025.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Departmental settlements have been set following the Budget announcement on October 30. Individual programmes will now be assessed during the departmental Business Planning process.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to announce the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Departmental settlements have been set following the Budget announcement on October 30. Individual programmes will now be assessed during the departmental Business Planning process.
Asked by: Lord Bishop of St Albans (Bishops - Bishops)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the potential withdrawal of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme on the ability of church buildings to host the 35,000 social action community projects operating in Anglican churches across England.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Department monitors the implementation and impact of the grant scheme through the regular reporting of the grant administrator. Since 2010, the grant scheme has returned over £350 million to listed places of worship.
Departmental settlements have been set following the Budget announcement on October 30. Individual programmes will now be assessed during the departmental Business Planning process. We have made no specific assessment in the terms set by the Lord Bishop, but we are fully aware of the importance of the scheme to all listed places of worship, including Anglican churches across England and the rest of the UK.