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Written Question
Video Games
Tuesday 29th July 2025

Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to update consumer rights law to prohibit publishers from disabling video games they have sold without providing recourse for customers to retain or repair those games.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Government is aware of concerns relating to the continued access to video games, including licensed, online-only video games, and we appreciate the frustrations of players of some games that have been discontinued. The Government has responded to a recent petition on this issue.

There are no plans to amend existing consumer law on disabling video games. Those selling games must comply with existing requirements in consumer law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) and Digital Markets Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA), giving clear advice to consumers. Video game sellers must not omit or hide material information, or provide it in an unclear, unintelligible, ambiguous or untimely manner.

Written Question
Cinemas: Edinburgh
Friday 3rd February 2023

Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)

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

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are having discussions with the Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, and other partners regarding (1) cultural cinema programme activity in Edinburgh, and (2) the 2023 Edinburgh International Film Festival, following the closure of the Edinburgh Film House.

Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)

Cultural cinema programme activity in Edinburgh is a matter for the Scottish Government, since this is a devolved policy area. Following the Centre for the Moving Image (CMI) going into administration in October 2022, Screen Scotland purchased the intellectual property for the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

DCMS officials have spoken to the British Film Institute (BFI) about this issue. The BFI operates UK-wide and has a close working relationship with Creative Scotland and its dedicated screen agency, Screen Scotland. Throughout the period covered by the British Film Institute’s previous corporate strategy, British Film Institute 2022, Screen Scotland has been its delivery partner for the National Lottery-backed British Film Institute NETWORK programme, Short Circuit. The British Film Institute’s new strategy, Screen Culture 2033, is UK-wide and Scotland-based applicants are able to apply for applicable National Lottery funds.

Written Question
Internet: Education
Friday 2nd December 2022

Asked by: Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Labour - Life peer)

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

To ask His Majesty's Government how much Ofcom has spent on its work to promote online media literacy in each of the last three years.

Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)

Ofcom is operationally independent from His Majesty’s Government and is accountable to Parliament. Information on Ofcom’s budget and funding arrangements can be found in its Annual Report and Accounts, which are lodged in the House of Commons Library and published on Ofcom's website.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 21 Jul 2022
Channel 4: Annual Report

"My Lords, Parliament was involved in the setting up of Channel 4. Indeed, it was an Act of Parliament that created it. In that sense, we in this House and the other House have an interest in the arrangements under which Channel 4 is supervised. The Minister did not give …..."
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara - View Speech

View all Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Channel 4: Annual Report
Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 05 Apr 2022
Channel 4 Privatisation

"My Lords, the Minister mentioned a long-awaited and much-needed White Paper. This is a very complicated and difficult issue which he has attempted to unscramble, but we will need a White Paper to see behind what he is trying to tell us today. Will the sale proceeds—which are highly contingent …..."
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara - View Speech

View all Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Channel 4 Privatisation
Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 17 Mar 2022
Young Audiences Content Fund: Replacement

"My Lords, the points made by the noble Baroness are well made and we support them wholeheartedly. I am grateful for the comments that the Minister has made but they do not really go far enough. More worryingly, this seems to be part of a pattern of activity and policy …..."
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara - View Speech

View all Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Young Audiences Content Fund: Replacement
Speech in Lords Chamber - Fri 11 Mar 2022
Digital Technology (Democracy and Digital Technologies Committee Report)

"My Lords, the previous speakers in this debate have proven beyond doubt that this House should have had the chance to debate this excellent report long before now. For there to be a delay of nearly 18 months before such a debate on such a major report is insulting to …..."
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara - View Speech

View all Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Digital Technology (Democracy and Digital Technologies Committee Report)
Speech in Lords Chamber - Fri 10 Dec 2021
Freedom of Speech

"My Lords, I thank the most reverend Primate the Archbishop of Canterbury for securing this timeless debate and for his excellent speech. Indeed, it should have been evidence to the Joint Committee on online harms; I hope that he will consider forwarding it to the members, who might well be …..."
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara - View Speech

View all Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Freedom of Speech
Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 14 Jul 2021
National Lottery

"My Lords, the National Lottery is a significant success and enjoys huge public support. Research shows that there is also public support for other national lotteries, such as the Postcode Lottery. Will their needs for greater parity of prize money and reach be reconsidered so that more funds can be …..."
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara - View Speech

View all Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: National Lottery
Speech in Grand Committee - Wed 07 Jul 2021
Charities Bill [HL]

"My Lords, I refer to my charitable interests as outlined in the register, and I would also like to share with the Committee that I have worked with charities for most of my life and have some experience of large ones and some smaller ones. This has informed what I …..."
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara - View Speech

View all Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Charities Bill [HL]