Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to estimate the number of people who access information about the activities of their local authorities from their local or regional newspapers.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Local press plays a vital role in scrutinising local authorities and supporting democratic engagement at local level, and there is a wealth of evidence relating to how audiences engage with this role. Ofcom’s most recent Local News and Media Survey found that nearly half of UK adults use local media to seek out local government information, such as local council updates or plans. The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism's most recent global survey of news audiences found that people consider local newspapers and other news media to be a better source of information on local politics and government than online platforms, to a greater degree than for any other type of local news or information.
Last year, DCMS commissioned research last year into the relationship between local news provision and local public service performance. That research has helped inform our plans for the Local Media Strategy to support local journalism. As part of the Strategy, we want to better empower local media to hold local public services to account, and we are exploring whether there is more that local authorities can do to support the vital role that local media plays, for example through increased openness in providing local journalists with access to information. We will also continue to monitor how audiences engage with this role. More detail will be announced on the Strategy and our commissioned research in the coming months.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 21 October (HL11034), whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of Baroness Shafik’s declaration of interests provided in relation to her role with the Victoria and Albert Museum in accordance the Cabinet Office guidance on direct appointments published May 2022; and what specific management or mitigation measures have been agreed with the Museum or the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in relation to those declared interests.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
In line with the longstanding approach over multiple administrations, it is not appropriate to publish confidential declaration of interests documentation. As the Noble Lord will be aware, the process for declaring and managing any outside interests in relation to this role has been conducted robustly and in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies and other government guidance. There are mitigations in place to manage any potential issues.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent on 26 September (HL10217), whether they will now answer the question put: namely, whether Baroness Shafik informed the Department for Culture, Media and Sport of her proposed appointment as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister, and what the Department’s advice was.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment, which was made by the Cabinet Office. The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any ministers or special advisers at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport have attended meetings with the Social Market Foundation since July 2024; and if so, whether they will list those meetings.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As the responsible department, DCMS Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a range of stakeholders about gambling.
Ministerial meetings and engagements are published through quarterly transparency reports on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether any ministers or special advisers at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport have attended meetings with Derek Webb since July 2024; and if so, whether they will list those meetings.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As the responsible department, DCMS Ministers and officials have regular meetings with a range of stakeholders about gambling.
Ministerial meetings and engagements are published through quarterly transparency reports on GOV.UK.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House a copy of the terms and conditions and the appointment letter relating to Baroness Shafik's appointment as (1) Chair of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and (2) Chief Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. This role is therefore subject to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which sets out requirements on political activity.
The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes. Baroness Shafik will continue in her role as Chair of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether Baroness Shafik intends will remain as Chair of the Victoria and Albert Museum in the light of her appointment as Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. This role is therefore subject to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which sets out requirements on political activity.
The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes. Baroness Shafik will continue in her role as Chair of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister, Baroness Shafik, will attend the Labour Party Conference; and whether attendance at a Party Conference by the Chair of the Victoria and Albert Museum is in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3.11 of the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies and associated government guidance.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. This role is therefore subject to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which sets out requirements on political activity.
The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes. Baroness Shafik will continue in her role as Chair of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to update the news story published on 20 January about the appointment of Baroness Shafik as Chair of the Victoria and Albert Museum in regard to her political activity.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Baroness Shafik has been appointed to be the Chief Economic Adviser to the Prime Minister as a Direct Ministerial Appointment. This role is therefore subject to the Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies, which sets out requirements on political activity.
The management of relevant outside interests for this role has been agreed in line with relevant guidance and processes. Baroness Shafik will continue in her role as Chair of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Asked by: Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings have been held by the Minister of State for Creative Industries, Arts and Tourism in his capacity as minister for libraries since July 2024.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Ministers and officials have meetings with a variety of organisations in the public and private sectors. Details of ministerial meetings are published on a quarterly basis.