Channel 4

Damian Collins Excerpts
Monday 9th January 2023

(1 year, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Michelle Donelan Portrait Michelle Donelan
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The creative sector is important to the whole UK economy, not just to London. That is why I am delighted that, as part of this package, Channel 4 has also agreed to double the number of jobs outside London, which goes to the hon. Gentleman’s point that it is important that we are boosting the creative sector all around the UK.

Damian Collins Portrait Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) (Con)
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I agree with my right hon. Friend that reform is needed for Channel 4 to thrive in the future. Can she say whether the review will include Channel 4 having the ability not just to take a stake in programmes, which it cannot do at the moment, but to attract additional investment to go into programme making, as Channel 4 requested as part of its response to the Government’s review?

Michelle Donelan Portrait Michelle Donelan
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On accessing borrowing, we will make it easier for Channel 4 to draw down on its existing allowance, but any additional borrowing will be taken on a case-by-case basis.