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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a regulator levy to fund compensation for people who lost money through the collapse of Football Index and BetIndex.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

I refer my Honourable Friend to the answer I gave on 8 January 2025 to Question UIN 21381.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that people affected by press wrongdoing have access to redress.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government does not intervene in or oversee the work of the UK’s independent press regulators. We are clear, however, that with this independence comes responsibility, and newspapers and regulators have a responsibility to ensure access to clear, timely and effective routes to redress.

If a member of the public objects to practices of the press they can complain directly to the publication, or the relevant independent regulator, including Impress or the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). These regulators enforce codes of conduct which provide guidelines on a range of areas, including discrimination, accuracy, privacy, and harassment. If they find that a newspaper has broken the code of conduct, they can order corrections. Both regulators also offer arbitration schemes for legal claims relating to defamation, privacy and harassment.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what plans she has to consult on reforms to press regulation.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government currently has no plans to consult on reforms to press regulation.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he plans to extend the suspension of customs tariffs on fruit juices after June 2026.

Answered by Douglas Alexander - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)

203 suspensions are due to expire on 30 June 2026, including 27 measures that are in place on fruit juices and concentrates. The Government will consider a possible extension ahead of the measures’ expiry date. Further information about the review will be made available on GOV.UK in due course.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to issue guidance to help social media companies implement (a) C2PA Content Credentials and (b) other provenance standards to help (i) tackle disinformation and (ii) ensure a viable opt-out tool for rightsholders in the UK, in the context of the Ofcom's responsibilities in the Online Safety Act 2023.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Online Safety Act (OSA) represents our key legislative tool for tackling mis/disinformation and requires platforms to remove illegal mis/disinformation from their services. Our immediate focus is on quick and effective implementation. We will then look at where we could build on the OSA.

The government recently closed a consultation on AI and copyright and welcomed engagement from stakeholders on issues including labelling AI-generated and modified content, and options for enhancing control for rightsholders in the context of the UK’s AI and copyright regime. We are reviewing all responses to ensure any proposals taken forward properly support all sectors.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to take steps to prevent social media companies from removing (a) C2PA Content Credentials and (b) other provenance metadata from content in order to help (i) tackle disinformation online and (ii) ensure that rightsholders’ stated preferences for AI training are not removed.

Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

The Online Safety Act (OSA) represents our key legislative tool for tackling mis/disinformation and requires platforms to remove illegal mis/disinformation from their services. Our immediate focus is on quick and effective implementation. We will then look at where we could build on the OSA.

The government recently closed a consultation on AI and copyright and welcomed engagement from stakeholders on issues including labelling AI-generated and modified content, and options for enhancing control for rightsholders in the context of the UK’s AI and copyright regime. We are reviewing all responses to ensure any proposals taken forward properly support all sectors.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps he is taking to help mitigate the potential impact of his Department's proposals for cooling-off rights within the subscription contract regime under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 on digital content streaming services.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government’s Consultation on the implementation of the new subscriptions contract regime included proposals for how refunds should work when consumers exercise their statutory cooling-off rights. The overarching aim set out in that document is for a framework that is fair for both businesses and consumers. Officials have met regularly with digital content subscription businesses and their trade bodies to hear their views. We are analysing all the responses to the consultation, including those from businesses that supply digital content or services, and will publish a Government Response in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has had meetings with providers of digital content subscription services on the potential impact of proposals on cooling-off rights within the new subscription contract regime under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government’s Consultation on the implementation of the new subscriptions contract regime included proposals for how refunds should work when consumers exercise their statutory cooling-off rights. The overarching aim set out in that document is for a framework that is fair for both businesses and consumers. Officials have met regularly with digital content subscription businesses and their trade bodies to hear their views. We are analysing all the responses to the consultation, including those from businesses that supply digital content or services, and will publish a Government Response in due course.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has received representations from providers of digital content subscription services on the potential impact of proposals on cooling-off rights within the new subscription contract regime under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government’s Consultation on the implementation of the new subscriptions contract regime included proposals for how refunds should work when consumers exercise their statutory cooling-off rights. The overarching aim set out in that document is for a framework that is fair for both businesses and consumers. Officials have met regularly with digital content subscription businesses and their trade bodies to hear their views. We are analysing all the responses to the consultation, including those from businesses that supply digital content or services, and will publish a Government Response in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what progress he has made on the 2025-2026 pay review for NHS staff.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 30 September 2024, the Government issued remit letters to the independent Pay Review Bodies (PRBs) covering the National Health Service’s staff groups, formally beginning the 2025/26 pay round months in advance of recent annual pay rounds. The Department published its written evidence to the PRBs covering the NHS’s staff groups for the 2025/26 pay round on 10 December 2024, and oral evidence sessions took place with those PRBs in January and February 2025.

We have now received the NHS Pay Review Body covering Agenda for Change staff and the Pay Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration’s reports. The Government is considering the recommendations and will respond formally in due course.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with NHS England on the reason that some NHS Trusts are not yet offering access to givinostat through the Early Access Programme.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department understands the impact that Duchenne muscular dystrophy has on those living with it and their families, and the urgent need for new treatment options.

Officials from the Department have had discussions with NHS England regarding access to givinostat through the Early Access Programme (EAP). Under the EAP, givinostat is free to both the patients taking part in it, and to the National Health Service, although NHS trusts must still cover the cost of administering it to patients.

Participation to the programme is decided at an individual NHS trust level and NHS England has published guidance for integrated care systems (ICS) on free of charge medicines schemes such as EAPs, including providing advice on the potential financial, administrative, and clinical risks. The guidance aims to support the NHS to drive value from medicines and ensure consistent and equitable access to medicines across England. ICSs should follow the recommendations to determine whether to implement any free of charge schemes, including assessing suitability and any risks in the short, medium, and long term. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/free-of-charge-foc-medicines-schemes-national-policy-recommendations-for-local-systems/

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all eligible NHS Trusts participate in the Early Access Programme for givinostat.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department understands the impact that Duchenne muscular dystrophy has on those living with it and their families, and the urgent need for new treatment options.

Officials from the Department have had discussions with NHS England regarding access to givinostat through the Early Access Programme (EAP). Under the EAP, givinostat is free to both the patients taking part in it, and to the National Health Service, although NHS trusts must still cover the cost of administering it to patients.

Participation to the programme is decided at an individual NHS trust level and NHS England has published guidance for integrated care systems (ICS) on free of charge medicines schemes such as EAPs, including providing advice on the potential financial, administrative, and clinical risks. The guidance aims to support the NHS to drive value from medicines and ensure consistent and equitable access to medicines across England. ICSs should follow the recommendations to determine whether to implement any free of charge schemes, including assessing suitability and any risks in the short, medium, and long term. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/free-of-charge-foc-medicines-schemes-national-policy-recommendations-for-local-systems/

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to take steps to modernise (a) heritage and (b) community protection schemes to support (i) nightclubs, (ii) grassroots music venues and (iii) other contemporary cultural venues.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is working closely with the music and nightclub sectors, to strengthen the sustainability of the entire music ecosystem. Cultural venues, like nightclubs and music venues, provide enjoyment to many thousands of people as the opportunity to hear live music up close is an essential part of our cultural life.

We are continuing to support Arts Council England’s (ACE’s) Supporting Grassroots Music Fund by providing £2.5 million funding in 2025-26. This provides grants to grassroots music organisations, including those that host or promote electronic music.

Earlier this year we announced the Arts Everywhere Fund, a £270 million investment for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector, including the £85m Creative Foundations Fund. This fund will support arts and cultural organisations across England to resolve urgent issues with their estates. Not-for-profit and grassroots music venues will be eligible, and Arts Council England will release more details in due course. We expect the fund may be over-subscribed, so are not intending to extend its scope.

Buildings that are nightclubs, music venues or other contemporary cultural spaces may already be considered for designation as Listed Buildings, where they meet eligibility criteria for special architectural or historic interest. Applications for listing specific nightclubs, music venues or other contemporary cultural spaces can be made to the Secretary of State via Historic England.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure (a) listing and National Portfolio programmes and (b) other heritage and community protection schemes reflect (i) nightclubs, (ii) music venues and (iii) other contemporary cultural spaces.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

The Government is working closely with the music and nightclub sectors, to strengthen the sustainability of the entire music ecosystem. Cultural venues, like nightclubs and music venues, provide enjoyment to many thousands of people as the opportunity to hear live music up close is an essential part of our cultural life.

We are continuing to support Arts Council England’s (ACE’s) Supporting Grassroots Music Fund by providing £2.5 million funding in 2025-26. This provides grants to grassroots music organisations, including those that host or promote electronic music.

Earlier this year we announced the Arts Everywhere Fund, a £270 million investment for arts venues, museums, libraries and the heritage sector, including the £85m Creative Foundations Fund. This fund will support arts and cultural organisations across England to resolve urgent issues with their estates. Not-for-profit and grassroots music venues will be eligible, and Arts Council England will release more details in due course. We expect the fund may be over-subscribed, so are not intending to extend its scope.

Buildings that are nightclubs, music venues or other contemporary cultural spaces may already be considered for designation as Listed Buildings, where they meet eligibility criteria for special architectural or historic interest. Applications for listing specific nightclubs, music venues or other contemporary cultural spaces can be made to the Secretary of State via Historic England.

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 44518 on BetIndex and Football Index, if she will introduce a regulator levy to fund compensation for people who lost money through the collapse of Football Index and BetIndex.

Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)

Whilst the Government deeply sympathises with those impacted by the collapse of Football Index and BetIndex, we do not plan to introduce a regulator levy to fund compensation for people who lost money as a result.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the Child Poverty Strategy of Parentkind's report entitled The Missing Chapter, published in March 2025.

Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)

I refer my hon. Friend, the Member for Bury North to the answer of 29 April 2025 to Question 46672.

Found: Mr Bayo Alaba (Labour; Southend East and Rochford) Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat; Guildford) Mr James Frith

Found: 78.9%) Zöe Franklin (Liberal Democrat, Guildford) (added 28 Oct 2024) 11 of 19 (57.9%) Mr James Frith

Found: Q7 Mr James Frith: Thanks for the offer.

Found: Q7 Mr James Frith: Thanks for the offer.