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
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.

Division Vote (Lords)
23 Jul 2025 - Employment Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 132 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 271 Noes - 138
Division Vote (Lords)
23 Jul 2025 - Employment Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 137 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 290 Noes - 143
Division Vote (Lords)
23 Jul 2025 - Employment Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 131 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 198 Noes - 198
Division Vote (Lords)
23 Jul 2025 - Employment Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 130 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 171 Noes - 189
Division Vote (Lords)
15 Jul 2025 - Renters’ Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 148 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 282 Noes - 158
Division Vote (Lords)
15 Jul 2025 - Renters’ Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House
One of 148 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 240
Division Vote (Lords)
15 Jul 2025 - Renters’ Rights Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab) voted No - in line with the party majority and against the House
One of 143 Labour No votes vs 1 Labour Aye votes
Vote Tally: Ayes - 237 Noes - 223
Speech in Grand Committee - Tue 15 Jul 2025
Online Safety Super-Complaints (Eligibility and Procedural Matters) Regulations 2025

"My Lords, I welcome my noble friend’s comments, which set the context for this interesting statutory instrument.

In the process of consultation that led to the final decisions, was there time for the department to begin to implement the Parkinson rule? When my noble friend and I last met some …..."
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara - View Speech

View all Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Online Safety Super-Complaints (Eligibility and Procedural Matters) Regulations 2025
Speech in Grand Committee - Tue 15 Jul 2025
Online Safety Super-Complaints (Eligibility and Procedural Matters) Regulations 2025

"I may not have made the point as clearly as I should have. It is not the fact that Ofcom will be unaware of an issue that is being raised as much as that the need to get a super-complaint going may frustrate Ofcom finding out about small but high-risk …..."
Lord Stevenson of Balmacara - View Speech

View all Lord Stevenson of Balmacara (Lab - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Online Safety Super-Complaints (Eligibility and Procedural Matters) Regulations 2025