Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many criminal prosecutions for non-payment of the BBC licence fee have been undertaken over the past 12 months; and whether they intend to review whether non-payment should be a criminal offence.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Ministry of Justice currently publishes the annual number of prosecutions, convictions, and sentencing outcomes for non-payment of the TV licence fee as part of their criminal justice quarterly publications, which are available online. In 2023, the number of prosecutions for non-payment of the TV licence fee was 34,084.
As part of the next Charter Review, the government will engage with the BBC and others to consider how to ensure the BBC thrives well into the next decade and beyond. This will include discussions on a range of important issues, including future funding models for the BBC, and their enforcement.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to make regulations on requirements for short-term property lets under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
In 2023 the Government consulted on a registration scheme for short-term lets. Parliament then legislated for such a scheme in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. We are committed to the introduction of such a scheme as soon as possible.
We are now in the initial phase of digital development, which will enable us to test and refine the possible options for design and delivery of the scheme. We will set out further detail on how the scheme will work as soon as practicable, including a full response to the consultation, as well as further information on the legislative process that will bring the scheme to life.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to regulate the ultra-short letting platform market.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Short-term lets are an important part of what the UK offers visitors in terms of accommodation and the government recognises that they bring a range of benefits to the visitor economy.
The government wants people living in our major tourism destinations, especially in coastal and rural villages and towns, to benefit from a thriving tourism industry without losing the spirit of their community when the holiday season ends.
Parliament legislated for a registration scheme for short-term lets in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This government is exploring the introduction of such a scheme.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications for TV licence fee payers as consumers who pay monthly instalments being required to pay more in the first 12 months, for both the current and subsequent annual period, than they would if purchasing a TV licence fee in a one-off annual payment; and what consideration they have given to introducing the option not to pay for the next licence in advance.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the trend of a decline in the number of broadcast television viewers, what assessment they have made of the future of the licence fee.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
His Majesty’s Government believes that there are challenges regarding the sustainability of the current licence fee funding model, and is therefore conducting a review of it.
As the terms of reference for that review note, the broadcasting sector is evolving rapidly, and members of the public have much more choice about how, when, and where they access content. The review will look at the sustainability of the BBC’s current funding model, and assess how alternative models could help secure the corporation’s long-term sustainability amid an evolving media landscape, increased competition, and changing audience behaviour, while reducing the burden on licence fee-payers.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to regulate further ultra-short lets.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Shadow Minister (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
Her Majesty’s Government committed in the Tourism Recovery Plan published in June last year to consult on a possible Short-Term Accommodation Registration Scheme in England. A call for evidence as the first stage of that consultation process was opened on 29 June and runs until 21 September.
We want to hear from a wide range of people in order to build a much-needed evidence base on these issues and enable us to develop proportionate policy responses. We want to strike a balance between the benefits of the sharing economy and the concerns about the impacts on some communities, alongside ensuring consistency of quality among different tourism accommodation providers.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to decriminalise the non-payment of the BBC licence fee by senior citizens.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
A government response on the issue of decriminalisation of TV licence evasion was published earlier this year. The responses to the consultation show that a significant number of people oppose the criminal sanction with some highlighting the considerable stress and anxiety it can cause for individuals, including the most vulnerable in society, such as older people.
The government is therefore keeping the issue of decriminalisation under active consideration while more work is done to understand the impact of alternative enforcement schemes.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the statement from Annabel Denham, the Director of Communications at the Institute for Economic Affairs that after 75 years the BBC licence is “no longer fit for purpose” and should be replaced by a “subscriber-owned mutual.”
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
The government has committed to maintain the licence fee funding model for the duration of this 11 year Charter period, until 2027.
We will revisit the licence fee model in advance of the next Charter.
The government is committed to ensuring that the BBC and all public service broadcasters adapt to a fast changing market, and keeping them at the heart of our world class TV sector.
The BBC has already committed to consider how alternative funding models, such as subscription, could supplement licence fee income before the next Charter Review.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ban charities from using street fundraisers.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
Ordinarily, street fundraising is estimated to raise over £130m each year for charities. It is a popular form of fundraising for some charities as it recruits long-term supporters to the charity and builds awareness of the important work they do. The charity's trustees are responsible for monitoring all types of fundraising for their charity and for taking steps to address any methods that present a reputational risk or prove a poor investment for their charity. Charity fundraising in England and Wales is subject to independent self-regulation by the Fundraising Regulator. The Fundraising Regulator promotes best practice in fundraising and compliance with its Code of Fundraising Practice.
During this difficult time, ensuring charities can safely begin fundraising activities will be a crucial part of the sector’s recovery. DCMS has worked closely with its sectors to publish guidance relating to COVID-19. This includes practical guidance and resources from the Fundraising Regulator and Chartered Institute of Fundraising supporting charities to safeguard the public, staff and volunteers as they plan to return to fundraising activities in a safe and responsible way. This can be viewed at;
There are no plans to ban charities from using street fundraisers.
Asked by: Lord Truscott (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to decriminalise non-payment of the TV licence.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Shadow Minister (Education)
We believe that it is right to look again at whether the criminal sanction remains appropriate for TV licence fee evasion given ongoing concerns about whether the criminal sanction is unfair and disproportionate. On 5 February 2020, the Government launched a public consultation on decriminalising TV licence evasion, closing on 1 April after receiving over 150,000 responses. We will listen carefully to those that have responded before setting out our next steps.