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Written Question
Football Index
Monday 21st June 2021

Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what progress has been made on the Government's inquiry into the collapse of the Football Index.

Answered by John Whittingdale

As outlined in my Written Ministerial Statement of 7 June, the Secretary of State has appointed Malcolm Sheehan QC to lead the independent review of the Football Index gambling product and we have published its scope and terms of reference on gov.uk. That independent review is underway and is expected to provide a report for publication in the summer. The statement can be found at: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2021-06-07/hcws63


Written Question
Culture, Practices and Ethics of the Press Inquiry
Monday 26th April 2021

Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, when the Government plans to implement the recommendations from Part 2 of the Leveson Inquiry.

Answered by John Whittingdale

The Government has made clear that it does not intend to proceed with Part 2 of the Leveson Inquiry. This decision was reached following a public consultation and having taken into account all of the views and evidence submitted. Reopening the inquiry is no longer appropriate, proportionate, or in the public interest. This position was reiterated in the 2019 Conservative manifesto.

The media landscape has changed significantly since the Leveson Inquiry. Today, our press is facing new and critical challenges that threaten its livelihood and sustainability.

The Inquiry and subsequent police investigations were comprehensive. More than 300 people gave evidence to the Inquiry, and over 40 people were convicted during the three major investigations. There have been extensive reforms to policing practices as well as significant changes to press self-regulation.

There now exists a strengthened, independent, self-regulatory system for the press. The majority of traditional publishers—including 95% of national newspapers by circulation—are members of IPSO. A number of smaller publishers have joined IMPRESS.


Written Question
Advertising: Misrepresentation
Thursday 5th September 2019

Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the Advertising Standards Authority bans adverts with misleading descriptions, particularly in relation to broadband speeds.

Answered by Matt Warman

Advertising in the UK is regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), the industry’s independent regulator, which enforces the Advertising Codes through a system of self-regulation and co-regulation with Ofcom. The Codes apply to all media, including broadcast and online. They incorporate all relevant legislation and set standards for accuracy and honesty to which advertisers must adhere, including specific conditions on advertising to children, causing offence and social responsibility.

The ASA is recognised by the government, the courts and trading standards as the ‘established means’ for the enforcement of misleading advertising, and the Codes include rules designed to ensure that advertisers do not mislead consumers. It has a range of sanctions it can take against non-compliant advertisers and, as a last resort, can refer some to Trading Standards.

The ASA and Ofcom have both taken action in relation to broadband speeds. In May 2018, the ASA implemented new guidance that requires broadband speed claims in adverts to be based on the download speeds available to at least 50% of customers at peak time and no longer on 'up to' speeds available to at least 10% of customers.

In March 2019, Ofcom introduced an updated Broadband Speeds Code of Practice, which all the major communication providers have signed up to. Under this code, companies have to provide consumers with a minimum guaranteed speed at the point of sale. If a consumer’s speed then drops below this level, companies have one month to improve performance, before they must allow consumers to leave their contract without penalty. This right to exit also applies to landline and TV packages, which are purchased at the same time as broadband services.


Written Question
Sports: Finance
Tuesday 23rd October 2018

Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to ensure that funding allocated from the public purse to sporting bodies throughout the UK is spent by those bodies in a (a) legal, (b) non-discriminating and (c) non-political manner.

Answered by Tracey Crouch

Government's Arms Length Bodies (ALBs), including the four DCMS Sport ALBs (Sport England, UK Sport, the Sports Ground Safety Authority and UK Anti-Doping), have to comply with the Treasury's publication Managing Public Money. They are also subject to various other spending controls which set out how they should allocate and govern their funding. ALBs are audited annually to ensure that they are complying with these controls.

When allocating funding, ALBs must also comply with relevant equality legislation.

Government's Sporting Future strategy sets out the principles and priorities by which sport bodies should invest their funding. Furthermore, A Code for Sports Governance was published in October 2016 and sets out the levels of transparency, accountability, diversity and financial integrity required from all organisations that receive Government and National Lottery investment.


Written Question
Northern Ireland Boxing Association
Monday 22nd October 2018

Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to ensure that the Northern Ireland Boxing Association are included as a constituent part of GB Boxing; and what support the Government can provide for the Northern Ireland Boxing Association's application to join The International Boxing Association.

Answered by Tracey Crouch

I refer the Honourable Member to my response to PQ 179240 on 18th October.


Written Question
Boxing: Northern Ireland
Monday 22nd October 2018

Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to support boxers from Northern Ireland in representing boxing for (a) Northern Ireland and (b) the UK.

Answered by Tracey Crouch

Athletes in Northern Ireland have the choice as to whether they wish to represent the UK or Ireland in their given sport. However, at times this will be subject to the overarching rules applied by the individual Governing bodies of the sport. Eligibility and selection for international competition remain matters for the relevant sports authorities.


Written Question
Sports: Northern Ireland
Thursday 18th October 2018

Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what guidance he provides to Sport GB on national representation relating to obligations under the Good Friday Agreement.

Answered by Tracey Crouch

Sporting matters are devolved, and eligibility and selection for international competition remain matters for the relevant sports authorities. However, sporting organisations have an important role to play in contributing to inclusion in Northern Ireland and across the United Kingdom. The people of Northern Ireland have a proud history of sporting achievements gained while representing both the United Kingdom and Ireland.

As outlined in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, both the UK Government and UK Sport recognise the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and accordingly confirm that their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship is accepted by both Governments and would not be affected by any future change in the status of Northern Ireland. This right extends to athletes from Northern Ireland having the choice to represent Team GB or Ireland at a national level in their given sport should they wish to do so. At times this will be subject to the overarching rules applied by the individual Governing bodies of the sport.


Written Question
Northern Ireland Boxing Association
Thursday 18th October 2018

Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether he recognises the Northern Ireland Boxing Association; and whether he supports that association's full participation in boxing throughout the UK.

Answered by Tracey Crouch

Recognition of sport governing bodies is a matter for the sports councils. Sport England, Sport Scotland, Sport Wales, Sport Northern Ireland and UK Sport work collectively to determine recognition. I understand the process for potential recognition for the Northern Ireland Boxing Association has been affected by the current situation with the Stormont government. Sport is devolved and this is a matter for the Northern Ireland authorities.
Written Question
European Capital of Culture
Thursday 22nd February 2018

Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make representations to the European Commission to reverse its decision that UK cities cannot bid to be the European Capital of Culture for 2023.

Answered by Michael Ellis

The matter was raised urgently with the European Commission after we were informed of their decision to discontinue UK cities' participation in the European Capital of Culture programme and discussions are ongoing.

We will continue to work with the five cities that submitted bids and will be meeting their representatives again shortly.


Written Question
Ministry of Defence: Flags
Thursday 20th July 2017

Asked by: Gavin Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party - Belfast East)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what protocol or policies exist to regulate formal flag flying on her Department's sites (a) in Great Britain, (b) in Northern Ireland and (c) internationally.

Answered by John Glen - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

Flag Flying in England, Scotland and Wales is deregulated therefore any individual may fly any flag at any time, so long as they have the necessary planning permission. DCMS issues guidance on the designated days for flying the Union Flag and on occasion when and how to half mast. Northern Ireland must adhere to the Flags Regulations (2000).

Policies concerning buildings outside the UK do not fall under DCMS’ remit.