Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what restrictions they place on taxpayer-funded bodies in terms of their lobbying of parliamentarians and Government in relation to public policy affecting them, and in particular whether any such restrictions have been placed on the Press Recognition Panel.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not have policy responsibility for the Press Recognition Panel to ensure that there is no Government interference in its independent work. There is a long-standing principle that public bodies must be politically impartial, and must ensure the proper use of public money at all times. As a public body, the Press Recognition Panel is bound by the Cabinet Office rules for all such bodies.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the BBC’s plans to introduce advertising on podcasts and on-demand content via third-party services; and whether the plans are compatible with the Royal Charter and Agreement.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The BBC has responsibilities set out in its Royal Charter to avoid unnecessary adverse impacts on the market. As the BBC’s independent regulator, it is for Ofcom to hold the BBC to account in meeting its obligations both to its audiences and to the market, as set out in the Royal Charter and Framework Agreement.
The Government’s recent Mid-Term Review of the BBC stresses the need for the BBC meaningfully to engage with its competitors, and for high standards of transparency. Our recommendations seek to secure more effective engagement between competitors, the BBC and Ofcom on competition and market issues, enabling the BBC and Ofcom to make more informed decisions about changes which may affect the BBC’s competitors, and to ensure that the BBC’s competitors are better able to inform those decisions.
The Government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the reforms as we approach the renewal of the BBC’s Royal Charter. We will examine the BBC’s role in the wider market, including how the regulatory framework may need to evolve to reflect shifts in technology and consumer behaviour, as part of our work in the next Charter Review. In the meantime, the BBC must rise to the challenge and make sure to strike the correct balance between its obligations.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the BBC’s initiatives to engage with competitors on their plans to introduce advertising on podcasts and on-demand content via third-party services.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The BBC has responsibilities set out in its Royal Charter to avoid unnecessary adverse impacts on the market. As the BBC’s independent regulator, it is for Ofcom to hold the BBC to account in meeting its obligations both to its audiences and to the market, as set out in the Royal Charter and Framework Agreement.
The Government’s recent Mid-Term Review of the BBC stresses the need for the BBC meaningfully to engage with its competitors, and for high standards of transparency. Our recommendations seek to secure more effective engagement between competitors, the BBC and Ofcom on competition and market issues, enabling the BBC and Ofcom to make more informed decisions about changes which may affect the BBC’s competitors, and to ensure that the BBC’s competitors are better able to inform those decisions.
The Government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the reforms as we approach the renewal of the BBC’s Royal Charter. We will examine the BBC’s role in the wider market, including how the regulatory framework may need to evolve to reflect shifts in technology and consumer behaviour, as part of our work in the next Charter Review. In the meantime, the BBC must rise to the challenge and make sure to strike the correct balance between its obligations.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to (1) the BBC Mid Term Review 2024, published on 22 January, and (2) the BBC’s plans to introduce advertising on podcasts and on-demand content via third-party services, what steps they are taking to ensure that Ofcom’s regulation of the BBC ensures the Corporation does not unduly harm the commercial sector.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The BBC has responsibilities set out in its Royal Charter to avoid unnecessary adverse impacts on the market. As the BBC’s independent regulator, it is for Ofcom to hold the BBC to account in meeting its obligations both to its audiences and to the market, as set out in the Royal Charter and Framework Agreement.
The Government’s recent Mid-Term Review of the BBC stresses the need for the BBC meaningfully to engage with its competitors, and for high standards of transparency. Our recommendations seek to secure more effective engagement between competitors, the BBC and Ofcom on competition and market issues, enabling the BBC and Ofcom to make more informed decisions about changes which may affect the BBC’s competitors, and to ensure that the BBC’s competitors are better able to inform those decisions.
The Government will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the reforms as we approach the renewal of the BBC’s Royal Charter. We will examine the BBC’s role in the wider market, including how the regulatory framework may need to evolve to reflect shifts in technology and consumer behaviour, as part of our work in the next Charter Review. In the meantime, the BBC must rise to the challenge and make sure to strike the correct balance between its obligations.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have monitored the implementation of the "My Charity Commission Account" service by the Charity Commission; what representations they have received about it; and whether they are satisfied with the speed with which the Charity Commission is dealing with complaints about it.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The ‘My Charity Commission Account’ service is designed to facilitate a more direct relationship between the Charity Commission and trustees, helping to ensure that they are supported in their role and well equipped to oversee their charities. The Charity Commission has confirmed that most charities have set up accounts and the Commission is working hard to support any that are having difficulty. Any trustees wishing to send the Commission feedback on the service can do so by emailing myaccount@charitycommission.gov.uk or calling the contact centre on 0300 066 9197.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay on 6 September (HL9930), what powers they have to intervene in the work of the Charity Commission where a case is made that it is not acting in the public interest; and if they have no such powers, where accountability for the Commission sits.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Charity Commission is an independent registrar and regulator. Section 13(4) of the Charities Act 2011 makes clear that, in the exercise of its functions, the Charity Commission is not subject to the direction or control of any Minister of the Crown or of another government department.
The Charity Commission is accountable in several ways. Decisions made by the Charity Commission in exercising its functions are subject to appeal or review either by the First-tier Tribunal, the Upper Tribunal, or by way of judicial review in the High Court. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport Ministers answer for the Charity Commission in Parliament, and the regulator can be called to give evidence to Committees in both Houses of Parliament. The Charity Commission is also required to present its annual report and audited accounts to Parliament, providing key information about its activities and performance.
Further details on the Charity Commission’s governance and accountability is available in the Charity Commission Framework Document 2023, published on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay on 6 September (HL9929), whether (1) DCMS, or (2) the office of the Attorney General, have received any representations or complaints about the the appointment of trustees to the Actors' Benevolent Fund and the application of section 80 of the Charities Act 2011 by the Charity Commission; and if so, what the result of those representations were.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Both the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Attorney General’s Office have received correspondence about the Charity Commission’s engagement with the Actors’ Benevolent Fund. Responses to this correspondence confirmed that the Charity Commission is an independent regulator and that it would be inappropriate for HM Government to intervene in the conduct of an independent regulator in the exercise of its functions.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the chair and trustees of the Charity Commission about the appointment of trustees to the Actors' Benevolent Fund, and the application of section 80 of the Charities Act 2011.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
As an independent regulator, the Charity Commission for England & Wales carries out its functions independently of ministerial direction or Government control. His Majesty’s Government has, therefore, not discussed this case with the Charity Commission.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the conduct of the Charity Commission in relation to its enquiries about the Actors' Benevolent Fund.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
As an independent regulator, the Charity Commission for England & Wales carries out its functions independently of ministerial direction or Government control. His Majesty’s Government has, therefore, not discussed this case with the Charity Commission.
Asked by: Lord Black of Brentwood (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how long is the term of office of the chair of the Charity Commission.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Chairman of the Charity Commission for England & Wales, Orlando Fraser KC, was appointed for a three-year term commencing on 25 April 2022 and ending on 24 April 2025. Ministers have the authority to reappoint the Chairman for a second term in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the Governance Code for Public Appointments.