Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to secure multilateral and bilateral agreements for relaxed cabotage rules for the cultural sector.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government is aware of concerns raised by the cultural and creative sectors regarding the impact that cabotage arrangements can have for the cultural sector.
Cabotage terms are governed by international agreements, including the UK‑EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and the European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) multilateral permit system, which provides additional but limited access. While there are currently no plans to pursue sector-specific cabotage agreements, the Government engages regularly with international partners to explore opportunities to facilitate transport operations more broadly, including through existing bilateral road haulage agreements where appropriate.
The Government also engages with the EU, EU Member States and wider international partners on barriers affecting cultural exchange, including touring. As part of this engagement, we continue to make the case for practical measures that support the movement of artists, crews, equipment and the specialist services that underpin international exchange, as well as engaging with the cultural and the live touring sector to understand the practical impacts of cultural arrangements, including for organisations that operate ‘own account’ vehicles transporting their own equipment.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what consideration she has given to rejoining Creative Europe.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
We recognise the UK’s creative and cultural sectors provide a unique and valuable contribution to Europe’s rich culture. We also understand the value of UK–EU cooperation through EU programmes – this is why we have associated to Horizon Europe, Copernicus and Erasmus+.
However, we have no intention to rejoin Creative Europe at this time.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to reduce the gender pay gap in the civil service.
Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)
The Civil Service is committed to being an inclusive employer. Departments report annually on their gender pay gap producing action plans to specifically target drivers of GPG and pay disparities within their respective organisations. 2025 data shows the lowest recorded gender pay gaps since overall Civil Service reporting began in 2020.