To match an exact phrase, use quotation marks around the search term. eg. "Parliamentary Estate". Use "OR" or "AND" as link words to form more complex queries.


Keep yourself up-to-date with the latest developments by exploring our subscription options to receive notifications direct to your inbox

Written Question
Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport: Staff
Wednesday 16th September 2020

Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)

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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport staff based in central London were working from their office desks on 2 September.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

We had office desk capacity for 749 staff in our central London office prior to the Covid-19 outbreak. This has been reduced to 155 staff capacity in line with the Government's Covid-secure workplace guidance. On 2 September we had 62 members of staff in - 40% of current capacity, and 8% of our pre-Covid capacity. We expect full Covid-secure capacity to be reached this month.


Written Question
Cricket: Coronavirus
Thursday 6th August 2020

Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)

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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the success of the trials of County Cricket games; and when they estimate they will evaluate (1) how, and (2) when, to allow spectators to be physically present at live cricket games.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Evaluation of the cricket fixtures that have taken place to date are underway. As the Prime Minister set out in his roadmap on 17 July, our ambition is to have fans return to all sports who chose to admit them, with social distancing restrictions in place, by October 1st. We will look to expand and phase pilots to build up to and prepare for, a full Covid Secure return in October.


Written Question
Cricket: Coronavirus
Monday 27th July 2020

Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)

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

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will allow county cricket grounds to open to members only in the light of their ability to provide track and trace information through membership controls and to manage their grounds to ensure social distancing.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

We are working closely with the sector, including the England and Wales Cricket Board, to facilitate the return of spectators to elite sport. A multidisciplinary working group, including medical directors from a number of sports, has begun to develop guidance around the return of spectators to stadia. Guidance will incorporate medical, sports, and venue expertise as well as the experience of other sectors that will reopen to audiences. Compliance with track and trace policies would be expected of any ticket holders.

We will continue to be led by wider public health guidance such as the “one metre plus” concept and the working group will reflect on all emerging best practice, both domestically and internationally, in their work.


Written Question
Coronavirus: Cricket
Monday 6th July 2020

Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)

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

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what scientific evidence they base their announcement that a cricket ball is a natural vector of disease and could contribute to the spread of COVID-19.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Officials are working very closely with the ECB and their medical experts to understand the unique qualities of cricket. We are working at pace to shape guidance that will allow the safe return of competitive cricket and other team sports. Any shared sporting equipment may risk transmission, but these risks can be mitigated with good hygiene practice as being adopted across a wide range of sectors.


Written Question
Cricket: Coronavirus
Monday 6th July 2020

Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)

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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow professional county cricket to be played on a 'one metre plus' basis thereby allowing grounds to be opened to the public for county matches.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

We are working closely with the sector, including the England and Wales Cricket Board, to facilitate the return of spectators to elite sport. A multidisciplinary working group, including medical directors from a number of sports, has begun to develop guidance around the return of spectators to stadia. Guidance will incorporate medical, sports, and venue expertise as well as the experience of other sectors that will reopen to audiences.

We will continue to be led by wider public health guidance such as the “one metre plus” concept and the working group will reflect on all emerging best practice, both domestically and internationally, in their work.


Written Question
Cricket: Coronavirus
Thursday 2nd July 2020

Asked by: Lord Naseby (Conservative - Life peer)

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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the continued closure of recreational cricket clubs on the development of young cricketers.

Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Sports and physical activity facilities play a crucial role in supporting adults and children to be active.The Government has made it clear that it will adopt a phased approach based on scientific and medical advice, and that the primary goal is to protect public health.

Officials are working very closely with the England and Wales Cricket Board on plans to deliver the safe return of club cricket as soon as possible. We are working at pace to shape guidance that will allow the safe return of competitive cricket and other team sports. Any shared sporting equipment may risk transmission, but these risks can be mitigated with good hygiene practice as being adopted across a wide range of sectors. I hope to make further progress on this in the coming weeks so that teams can enjoy a great cricketing summer.