Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and Karen Bradley

Thursday 16th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

We have had debates about EU nationals at length in this House and in the other place. We have been clear that we want early certainty not only for EU nationals here in the UK, but for UK nationals in Europe. It is incredibly important that we get that reciprocal arrangement as soon as possible so that we can give that certainty.

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

The Secretary of State will be aware that the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport recently visited Belfast, where we were able to visit the “Game of Thrones” set. We asked about the EU contribution to the Northern Ireland creative industries and, to my surprise, EU funding as such did not come up but access to a UK talent pool did. Does she therefore believe that Government investment should be focused on building that talent pool?

[Karen Bradley]

My hon. Friend is exactly right. We need to make sure that we have the skills and talent here in the UK and that we attract the brightest and best from around the world. I look forward to visiting Northern Ireland. A few political issues are stopping me doing so at the moment, but as soon as they are resolved I will make that visit.

Sky/21st Century Fox: Merger

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and Karen Bradley

Thursday 16th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

I thank the right hon. Gentleman for welcoming this. If he wants to make representations to me regarding the Enterprise Act and areas in which he feels changes could be made in the light of changing broadcasting and consuming habits, I will of course look at them carefully.

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

I agree with the Secretary of State’s view that the decision on whether somebody is a fit and proper person should quite correctly be for an independent regulator, not a politician. Does she believe that that is consistent with our goals of not politicising our broadcasting landscape?

[Karen Bradley]

I agree with my hon. Friend. That was exactly the conclusion I reached when looking at the representations that I received.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and Karen Bradley

Thursday 9th February 2017 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

I know that the hon. Member for City of Chester (Christian Matheson) is particularly interested in long-running soaps on Channel 4, given that “Hollyoaks” is set in his constituency. I want to make sure that “Hollyoaks” and other programmes set across the UK are able to prosper so that we have a plurality of broadcasting that works for everyone.

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

The Secretary of State will be aware that Channel 4 recently won broadcaster of the year at the Broadcast Awards. Does she therefore agree that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?

[Karen Bradley]

The important point is that we make sure that Channel 4 has a long-term, sustainable future. That is why we are looking at all options so that we can ensure that a station that relies very predominantly on advertising revenue is able to continue, and to provide the excellent broadcasting for which Channel 4 is renowned.

BBC

Debate between Nigel Huddleston and Karen Bradley

Thursday 15th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Karen Bradley]

Obviously the BBC needs to produce original content, but the fact that it does so by commissioning through independent production companies means that we have a thriving independent production sector which can then sell to the rest of the world. I encourage the BBC to do that, to ensure that we have those creative clusters. An amazing amount of activity and a number of new businesses have resulted from the BBC’s presence in Manchester, and its commissioning of programmes there.

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

Does the Secretary of State share my hope, and that expressed by Clare Balding, that the revealing of “talent” salaries will not reveal a gender pay gap?

[Karen Bradley]

That is a good point.