Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Gambling Commission about its failure to take enforcement action against English football clubs advertising unlicensed gambling operators alleged to be accessible from Great Britain.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Under the Gambling Act 2005, there is no offence for advertising unlicensed gambling. The offence is for the advertising of unlawful gambling under section 330 of the Gambling Act. Unlicensed gambling becomes unlawful if the facilities are available to consumers in Great Britain. If an unlicensed gambling operator can demonstrate that British consumers are blocked from accessing, registering or gambling on its site, it would not be breaking the law. Nevertheless, we are aware that Internet Protocol (IP) blocking technology can be circumvented, usually where consumers use Virtual Private Networks.
It is for the Gambling Commission (GC) to decide when to investigate and what enforcement action may be required. The Commission is already taking forward action in this space. It independently verifies that effective blocking measures are in place, and has taken action where non-compliance has been identified. It may take action if a VPN was not effective or if, for example, the operator advertised routes around the VPN. The GC has had substantial engagement with football clubs on this issue, and has warned sports clubs that they could face prosecution if facilities to gamble are not blocked to consumers in Great Britain. Sports clubs are also expected to conduct ongoing monitoring of their sponsorship arrangements.
The Government believes that banning unlicensed sport sponsorship will bring clarity to this issue, and we will consult on this in spring 2026.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether remote gambling companies licenced by the Gambling Commission can legally advertise in Northern Ireland; whether a resident in Northern Ireland can raise concerns directly with the Gambling Commission about breaches of a remote gambling operator's licence conditions; and whether the Gambling Commission has a duty to investigate potential breaches of remote gambling operator licence conditions in Northern Ireland.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Operators wishing to advertise remote gambling in Northern Ireland must hold a Gambling Commission licence, as per the UK’s Gambling (Licensing and Advertising) Act 2014. However, the Commission’s jurisdiction covers Great Britain: England, Scotland and Wales. It does not have powers to investigate and prosecute in Northern Ireland as gambling is a devolved matter. Nevertheless, a licensed gambling operator’s behaviour in Northern Ireland, or indeed in any jurisdiction, can inform the Commission’s consideration of whether the operator is suitable to be licensed in Great Britain.
Operators advertising remote gambling in Northern Ireland must also abide by the UK Advertising Codes, which are enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) independently of the government. The ASA cooperates with relevant authorities to address any complaints relating to advertising of remote gambling in Northern Ireland.
As gambling is a devolved issue, gambling consumers in Northern Ireland do not fall under the protection remit of the Gambling Commission. The Northern Ireland Executive is responsible for the protection of consumers in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to allocating a share of the statutory levy on remote gambling operators to Northern Ireland.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Wider gambling regulation is devolved in Northern Ireland and, as such, developing the most appropriate approach to tackle gambling-related harm to help residents in Northern Ireland is a matter for the Northern Ireland Executive. The Gambling Levy Regulations are subject to the jurisdiction of the Gambling Act 2005 and so profits levied in Great Britain will provide funding for projects and services in Great Britain only.
DCMS officials met with Northern Ireland officials in December 2025 to discuss a wide range of issues, including the levy.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role of the white label system in enabling foreign gambling operators to access British consumers without direct vetting by the Gambling Commission; and whether they plan to reform or abolish the white label system.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are not considering banning sponsorship activities conducted under a British gambling licence, which includes promotion of products and services subject to a white label arrangement with an appropriately licensed business. However, we will take note of responses relating to this issue during our consultation on banning unlicensed operators from sponsoring sport.
We are aware that there have been previous issues with white label partners acting in a manner that is not compatible with the Gambling Commission’s licensing conditions and codes of practice. A licensee is required to undertake due diligence of their white label partners and is held accountable for their actions.
We will work with the Gambling Commission to determine whether any action is required to further ensure that white label arrangements are sufficiently monitored and enforcement action taken where needed.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to require British-licenced gambling operators to refrain from operating in overseas jurisdictions where they are not licensed.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Operators providing gambling facilities to customers in Great Britain must be licensed by the Gambling Commission and comply with the conditions of their operating licences. The Commission expects them to obey the laws of all other jurisdictions in which they operate, and requires them to report any regulatory investigation or finding into their activities in any other jurisdiction. They must inform the Commission if they have a substantial customer base outside of Britain and state why they consider they are legally able to offer facilities to those customers.
The Commission considers it is for operators to satisfy themselves that they are acting in a lawful manner in other jurisdictions and for authorities in those jurisdictions to investigate if they are not. Where a licensee is found to be operating illegally, the Commission may consider their suitability to hold a licence to offer gambling services in Britain.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many investigations the Gambling Commission has undertaken since January 2025 into English football clubs advertising gambling operators alleged to be accessible from Great Britain; and how many prosecutions, fines, licence reviews or other enforcement action have been issued as a result of those investigations.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Under the Gambling Act 2005, there is no offence for advertising unlicensed gambling. The offence is for the advertising of unlawful gambling under section 330 of the Gambling Act. Unlicensed gambling becomes unlawful if the facilities are available to consumers in Great Britain. If an unlicensed gambling operator can demonstrate that British consumers are blocked from accessing, registering or gambling on its site, it would not be breaking the law. Nevertheless, we are aware that Internet Protocol (IP) blocking technology can be circumvented, usually where consumers use Virtual Private Networks.
It is for the Gambling Commission (GC) to decide when to investigate and what enforcement action may be required. The Commission is already taking forward action in this space. It independently verifies that effective blocking measures are in place, and has taken action where non-compliance has been identified. It may take action if a VPN was not effective or if, for example, the operator advertised routes around the VPN. The GC has had substantial engagement with football clubs on this issue, and has warned sports clubs that they could face prosecution if facilities to gamble are not blocked to consumers in Great Britain. Sports clubs are also expected to conduct ongoing monitoring of their sponsorship arrangements.
The Government believes that banning unlicensed sport sponsorship will bring clarity to this issue, and we will consult on this in spring 2026.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any sports clubs have been prosecuted under the Gambling Act 2005 for promoting or advertising gambling operators that are accessible from Great Britain without a licence; and if not, what factors have prevented prosecution in cases where accessibility has allegedly been demonstrated.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Under the Gambling Act 2005, there is no offence for advertising unlicensed gambling. The offence is for the advertising of unlawful gambling under section 330 of the Gambling Act. Unlicensed gambling becomes unlawful if the facilities are available to consumers in Great Britain. If an unlicensed gambling operator can demonstrate that British consumers are blocked from accessing, registering or gambling on its site, it would not be breaking the law. Nevertheless, we are aware that Internet Protocol (IP) blocking technology can be circumvented, usually where consumers use Virtual Private Networks.
It is for the Gambling Commission (GC) to decide when to investigate and what enforcement action may be required. The Commission is already taking forward action in this space. It independently verifies that effective blocking measures are in place, and has taken action where non-compliance has been identified. It may take action if a VPN was not effective or if, for example, the operator advertised routes around the VPN. The GC has had substantial engagement with football clubs on this issue, and has warned sports clubs that they could face prosecution if facilities to gamble are not blocked to consumers in Great Britain. Sports clubs are also expected to conduct ongoing monitoring of their sponsorship arrangements.
The Government believes that banning unlicensed sport sponsorship will bring clarity to this issue, and we will consult on this in spring 2026.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits for (1) retrofit spending, (2) quality assurance, and (3) energy models, of including u-values in the Reduced Data Standard Assessment Procedure, the Home Energy Model, and the Standard Assessment Procedure.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
U‑values can be measured on-site or taken from defaults. Using measured U‑values reduces reliance on assumptions and can provide a more accurate view of real building performance. For new buildings, the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) and the Home Energy Model (HEM) require U‑values to be provided.
For existing buildings, Reduced Data SAP does not require measured values because in‑situ data is harder to obtain, though defaults can be overridden where verified evidence is available to assessors. Government is consulting on HEM for existing buildings, including exploring the optional use of additional verified, tested U‑value evidence to improve assessment accuracy.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reflect the true, in-situ, monitored energy performance of buildings in their future Energy Performance Certificate valuations.
Answered by Lord Whitehead - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government is consulting on proposals for HEM for existing buildings in the HEM:EPC consultation which is open until 18 March. This includes exploring the optional use of additional verified in-situ measured evidence which can be input where available to assessors, which can improve assessment accuracy.
Asked by: Lord Foster of Bath (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what regulations and rules are in place to prevent social media influencers from promoting dangerous electrical products online; and what assessment they have made of whether those regulations and rules are sufficient to prevent that promotion.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Online Safety Act gives platforms strong duties to prevent illegal activity on their services where the content amounts to a criminal offence, including advertising or selling illegal goods. Platforms must assess the risks of illegal content appearing on their services and put in place systems and processes to address it.
Alongside this, the Government’s Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 provides powers to tackle the sale of unsafe goods and ensure that supply chain actors have appropriate responsibilities in relation to products. We will consult on new requirements to promote consumer safety and fair business competition in early 2026.