Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 12 Nov 2025 BBC Leadership
"My Lords, we welcome the Secretary of State’s Statement and her robust defence of the BBC, but let us not mince words: it is under attack as never before. A free press is the foundation stone of freedom and democracy, and the BBC is the foundation stone of our free …..." Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech
"My Lords, another area in which musicians touring in the UK, and UK musicians touring in Europe, need help is selling merchandise. Merch was once a good earner for bands on tour, but now artists in the UK have to register as an exporter, secure an economic operator’s registration and …..." Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech
"My Lords, I declare an interest as a trustee of the Lowry in Salford, which has a successful public-private mixed economy model, as mentioned by the noble Earl, but this depends on our relationship with subsidised national organisations. The National Theatre’s “Dear England” is currently being performed across our stages …..." Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech
"My Lords, 80% of the World Service budget is currently classed as official development assistance. Last time this Question came up, the Minister said that the Government would make detailed decisions on how the ODA budget would be used on the basis of various factors, including impact assessments. Can he …..." Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech
"My Lords, as was said by the two previous speakers, the results of Brexit are causing absolute havoc with the abilities of our creatives to tour. I want to pick up the cabotage rules, which limit the number of stops a British vehicle can make in the EU to three. …..." Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech
"My Lords, while the T-word across the pond is “tariffs”, here our film industry has been thriving thanks to tax credits. They have been a game-changer—the kind of investment that President Trump wants to repatriate. Whatever his plans—and I think the Minister mentioned this—should we not be looking to make …..." Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech
"My Lords, we need assurance that this Government understand the vital role that journalists play in bearing witness, and the crisis that is enveloping journalism across the world. Journalists are increasingly being harassed, imprisoned and killed with impunity. As the noble Baroness, Lady Mobarik, mentioned, in Gaza and the West …..." Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech
"My Lords, like my noble friend Lord Fowler, I was a journalist, but I worked for an independent production company and made documentaries for the BBC. One was about Osama bin Laden, and I was almost driven to a nervous breakdown by the scrutiny the BBC put the programme under, …..." Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech
"My Lords, I join in thanking the noble Baroness, Lady Thornton, for initiating this debate. She and I have served on committees together, and I know and appreciate her genuine support for culture and creativity. I congratulate and welcome the three maiden speakers, who are champions of the creative industries, …..." Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech
"My Lords, local authority expenditure has fallen dramatically in recent years, as has DCMS grant in aid. Heritage organisations are struggling with managing and maintaining both buildings and the natural environment. The National Trust’s new 10-year strategy highlights this. As well as bricks and mortar, the National Trust includes the …..." Baroness Bonham-Carter of Yarnbury - View Speech