Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to require set amounts of local news from local commercial radio stations.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Local radio continues to bring communities together by reflecting local experiences and delivering local news and information. However, it does so against a backdrop of changing listener behavior, with only around 20% of commercial radio listening now on AM or FM.
In light of this, the Media Act 2024 removed detailed requirements that only applied to stations holding AM and FM commercial radio licences and set out how their local services should be operated. These were replaced with new obligations that prioritise the broadcast of local news and information regularly, including “locally-gathered” news - a key part of radio’s public value.
Further details on the required frequency of local news broadcasts is set out in the guidance which Ofcom published on 25 February this year, titled “Provision of local news and information on analogue commercial radio”. The precise requirements will continue to vary by individual licence and Ofcom will be engaging directly with Licensees on how any changes impact them.
Asked by: Lord Storey (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 Ofcom about the compliance of GB News with maintaining balance in news coverage and current affairs.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with Ofcom on a range of issues. However, Ofcom, by law, carries out its regulation of licensed broadcasters independently of the Government. Ofcom is required by legislation, and accountable to Parliament, to draw up and enforce a Broadcasting Code to ensure that news, in whatever form, is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality. Due impartiality must also be preserved on matters of major political or industrial controversy and major matters relating to current public policy.
The Government strongly believes in an independent media and does not intervene in Ofcom's operational decisions.
Asked by: Lord Storey (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 increasing level of franchising of daytime programmes on commercial local radio to London; and what consideration they have given to measures to protect local jobs.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Local radio continues to bring communities together by reflecting local experiences and delivering local news and information. However, it does so against a backdrop of changing listener behavior. According to RAJAR’s Q4 data on radio listening, only 20% of commercial radio listening is now on AM or FM, whilst digital listening accounts for 75% of all UK radio listening.
In light of this, the Media Act 2024 removed detailed requirements that only applied to stations holding AM and FM commercial radio licences and set out how their local services should be operated. These were replaced with new obligations that prioritise securing local news and information - a key part of the public value of radio. Ofcom has recently published new guidance which sets out how stations should meet these obligations.
The government fully supports the growth of independent commercial services on DAB digital radio. Ofcom announced on 11 March that the 100th small-scale DAB digital multiplex was launched in East Devon, under their nationwide rollout of this innovative technology. The rollout of local small-scale DAB has increased the opportunities for local and community radio services to provide local audiences with tailored content of a distinct local character, and thereby support local jobs in the radio sector.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what measures are in place to ensure that any sale of a public service broadcasting television channel to an overseas company is in the best interests of the UK.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
There are a range of measures in place to safeguard the operation of UK broadcasters, including our public service broadcasters.
For example, under the Enterprise Act 2002, the Secretary of State has a quasi-judicial role on any merger or sale relating to media enterprises if it meets the necessary thresholds, and can intervene on public interest grounds as set out in the Act. These include ensuring media plurality, protecting the range of high quality broadcasting available in the UK; and securing broadcasting standards.
This is in addition to the role of Competition and Markets Authority which has the authority to intervene if it determines a deal would substantially lessen competition. This action can include remedies, enforcement measures, requiring changes to the agreement, or, in some instances, blocking the deal entirely.
Under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, Ofcom has an ongoing duty to be satisfied that any person holding a broadcasting licence is, and remains, fit and proper to hold those licences. In making a fit and proper assessment, Ofcom can consider all relevant circumstances, including the broadcaster’s own conduct, and the behaviour of people who exercise material influence or control over the broadcaster.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many Young Futures Hubs have been set up.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The first eight Early Adopter Young Futures Hubs are due to be operational before 31st March 2026. The host local authorities for the Early Adopters can be found on gov.uk
The timeline for rollout of the remaining 42 Young Futures Hubs will be determined in due course.
The Government has developed Young Futures Hubs as part of the recently published National Youth Strategy - Youth Matters. The National Youth Strategy sets out a new long-term vision for young people and an action plan for delivering this across the country.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to review the major sporting events listed in Ofcom's listed events regime.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The current listed events regime is designed to ensure that certain sporting events of national significance are available to as wide an audience as possible, by prohibiting exclusive broadcasting of the event without prior consent from Ofcom.
The Government believes the current list of events strikes an appropriate balance between ensuring viewers access to significant sporting events and allowing sports to maximise broadcasting revenue to invest in the growth and development of those sports.
The Government has no plans to review the list at this time.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what additional support they have provided to (1) local authority, and (2) private sector, swimming pools to help them manage energy bills.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring public access to swimming pools. It is the responsibility of local authorities to manage provision of swimming pools in their areas, taking into account the facilities which may be provided by private operators.
We understand that the rise in utility costs is having an impact on organisations of all sizes, including swimming pools. In September, the Government announced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, under which businesses and other non-domestic energy users are offered support. The scheme is currently under review to ensure support can be provided to the most vulnerable sectors.
The Government provided £100 million to the National Leisure Recovery Fund, which supported the reopening of local authority leisure centres and facilities throughout the country after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to prevent closures of swimming pools, given that 60 that have closed over the past three years.
Answered by Lord Kamall - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to support swimming facilities.
We recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on organisations of all sizes, including on providers of indoor leisure facilities. In September the government announced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, under which businesses and other non-domestic energy users (including leisure centres and swimming pools) will be offered support.
After an initial 6 months of the scheme, the government will provide ongoing focused support for vulnerable industries. There will be a review in 3 months' time to consider where this should be targeted to make sure those most in need get support.
Sport England has invested £9,619,264 in swimming and diving projects since April 2019, which includes £6,260,502 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund, which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic.
Asked by: Lord Storey (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 effect of the energy crisis on public swimming facilities.
Answered by Lord Kamall - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
We recognise the importance of ensuring public access to indoor and outdoor pools and that swimming is a great way for people of all ages to stay fit and healthy. The responsibility of providing this access lies at Local Authority level, and the government continues to encourage Local Authorities to support swimming facilities.
We recognise the impact rising energy prices will have on organisations of all sizes, including on providers of indoor leisure facilities. In September the government announced the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, under which businesses and other non-domestic energy users (including leisure centres and swimming pools) will be offered support.
After an initial 6 months of the scheme, the government will provide ongoing focused support for vulnerable industries. There will be a review in 3 months' time to consider where this should be targeted to make sure those most in need get support.
Sport England has invested £9,619,264 in swimming and diving projects since April 2019, which includes £6,260,502 to Swim England. This is in addition to the £100 million National Leisure Recovery Fund, which supported the reopening of local authority swimming pools throughout the country after the pandemic.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have carried out an impact assessment of the sale of Channel 4.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Culture, Media and Sport)
Her Majesty’s Government consulted extensively on a change of ownership of Channel 4, and the views and evidence gathered from a wide range of interested parties – including from Channel 4 itself – has informed the Government’s assessment and wider policy-making.
Following this consultation, the Secretary of State has come to a decision that, although Channel 4 as a business is currently performing well, public ownership is holding it back in the face of a rapidly-changing and competitive media landscape. The Secretary of State is now consulting with Cabinet colleagues on that decision.
Her Majesty’s Government will set out its plan for Channel 4 in a White Paper shortly. The Government will also publish a rationale for its decision regarding Channel 4’s ownership model.