Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has held discussions with Ofcom on national security considerations relating to the broadcasting licence held by LuaLua TV.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Ofcom, by law, carries out its duties independently of the Government. Ofcom has an ongoing duty, under the Broadcasting Acts 1990 and 1996, to be satisfied that any person holding a broadcasting licence is, and remains, fit and proper to hold those licences. Ofcom can revoke a licence if it ceases to be satisfied that this is the case. In making a fit and proper assessment, Ofcom can consider all relevant circumstances, including the broadcaster’s own conduct, and the behaviour of people who exercise material influence or control over the broadcaster. This could include criminal behaviour or links to proscribed organisations.
Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department has to help increase (a) participation in and (b) access to dance in local communities.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Improving access to the arts is a priority for this Government. Dance plays a central role in our country’s cultural ecology, from organisations like the English National Ballet and Rambert through to the community clubs across the country that ensure the talent pipeline for dancing of all styles continues to thrive.
The government supports the arts financially, including dance, through its arm’s-length body Arts Council England. Arts Council England has provided over £58 million to 153 organisations across England over 2024/25 to support dance. For instance, the Royal Ballet and Opera’s initiative “The Bridge” provides funding for working with schools and community groups nationwide to involve individuals in opera and ballet.
ACE also provides £450,000 in funding to the National Youth Dance Company, which offers high-quality training and performance opportunities through outreach to communities with higher proportions of young people from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.
Asked by: Jess Brown-Fuller (Liberal Democrat - Chichester)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of harmonising remote betting and gaming duties on (a) prize money, (b) racecourse finances, (c) funding for (i) equine welfare and (ii) veterinary research supported by the Horserace Betting Levy and (d) participation and attendance for British horseracing; and what steps she is taking to help protect the sector.
Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Government recognises the significant contribution that racing makes to the nation’s economy and sporting landscape.
Future proposals on gambling duties are a matter for HM Treasury. Should changes to the tax regime be announced in the Autumn Statement, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HM Treasury, as is standard practice.
Horseracing is the only sport in receipt of a direct government-mandated levy which helps to drive improvements in the sport. In financial year 24/25, the Levy raised £108 million for the purposes of supporting horse breeds, advancing veterinary science & education within the industry and facilitating general improvements to the sport.