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Written Question
Sportsgrounds: Coronavirus
Tuesday 29th June 2021

Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, for what reason stadia with seating are allowed greater spectator capacities under covid-19 restrictions than those without; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The government recognises the importance of spectators to competitive sport and remains committed to working towards their full return to stadiums as soon as it is safe to do so.

Step 3 of the ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ has permitted fans to return to both indoor and outdoor elite sporting events, albeit under capacity caps. from 17 May.

Only the largest seated stadia (16,000+) are able to benefit from the provision for higher capacities - where crowds can be safely dispersed around a large stadium area, and social distancing maintained at all times. The maximum attendance for these events is 10,000 people or 25% of seated capacity, whichever is lower.

It is important to note that the requirement that social distancing is maintained applies to all venues in Step 3, and events organisers are encouraged in guidance to ensure that crowds remain seated throughout performances and events.


Written Question
Music Festivals: Coronavirus
Monday 8th March 2021

Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing a Government-backed insurance scheme to musical festivals that may have to cancel events planned for summer 2021 as a result of the covid-19 oubreak; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Caroline Dinenage

We are aware of the concerns which have been raised about securing insurance for live events.

Understandably, the bar for considering Government intervention is set extremely high. Given the high costs involved in setting up a scheme we need to make sure it is the most effective use of funds at a time when we are looking at how best to support the sector.

The evidence of market failure must clearly demonstrate that such a scheme is the only barrier to staging events. At the moment, progress with the vaccine rollout and beating the virus is crucial in achieving the next stages for large events as set out in the roadmap.

We are working closely with the sector to determine the appropriate and most effective response within the public health context. We will continue to engage with HMT on this matter.


Written Question
Cycling: Rural Areas
Monday 22nd February 2021

Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government is taking to increase opportunities for cycling in the countryside; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

Sports and physical activity are incredibly important for our physical and mental health, and are a vital weapon against coronavirus. That’s why we have made sure that people can exercise throughout the national and local tiered restrictions including cycling.

Last month Sport England published its new strategy Uniting the Movement which sets out their 10 year vision to transform lives and communities through sport and physical activity. A key part of the strategy is creating and protecting the places and spaces that make it easier for people to be active including encouraging walking and cycling.


Written Question
Television Licences: Sheltered Housing
Thursday 11th February 2021

Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether people living in sheltered accommodation are entitled to television licence fee concessions in the event that there are (a) one and (b) two rooms within their building which are used for overnight accommodation lasting for no more than 28 days; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by John Whittingdale

The concession available for a TV Licence for those in eligible residential care - known as the ‘accommodation for residential care concession’ - is set out in the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004.

Paragraph 3(5)(g) of Part 2 of Schedule 4 to the Regulations provides that a group of specially provided dwellings which is eligible for the concession will remain eligible even if one of the dwellings within the group is used for overnight accommodation, for no longer than 28 nights in any consecutive period, for any member of the family of any eligible person who lives in that group of dwellings.

There is no provision in the Regulations for a situation in which two of the dwellings within the group are used for overnight accommodation.


Written Question
Gambling: Internet
Monday 8th February 2021

Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what plans he has to consider the Gambling Commission’s consultation and call for evidence on Remote Customer Interaction as part of the Government's wider review of the Gambling Act 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Gambling Commission requires operators to monitor play and to intervene where players may be at risk of harm. Its consultation and call for evidence on Remote Customer Interaction is considering whether further requirements are needed for how operators identify and interact with customers who may be at risk.

The Commission will be led by the evidence it receives in deciding its next steps, and its findings may also inform its advice to government on the Review of the Gambling Act 2005. Following a one month extension to allow extra evidence to be submitted, the deadline for submissions is now 9 February.


Written Question
Theatres: Coronavirus
Monday 13th July 2020

Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the Government's recently announced support for cultural, arts and heritage institutions, which body will be responsible for ensuring that small provincial theatres receive that funding; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Caroline Dinenage

On 5 July, DCMS announced a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding will provide targeted support to organisations across a range of sectors, including performing arts and theatres, museums and galleries, heritage sites, live music venues and independent cinema. This money will be spent across England, and we want it to benefit local communities across the country.

The funds will be delivered by Arts Council England, Historic England, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund working with the National Lottery Memorial Fund. Further details, including eligibility and application processes, will be released later in July.


Written Question
Casinos: Coronavirus
Monday 6th July 2020

Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent discussions he has had with Public Health England on the reasons for not allowing casinos to reopen as covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

DCMS officials are in regular contact with Public Health England and the casino sector to discuss the protections that are needed to allow casinos to reopen safely. This includes arranging a visit for public health representatives to assess the measures which are in place. I have spoken with representatives of the sector about the impacts of closure, and the government is working to ensure casinos can open as soon as the medical and scientific advice is that it is safe to do so.


Written Question
Casinos: Coronavirus
Monday 6th July 2020

Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the safety measures planned to be introduced by casinos to protect customers during the covid-19 outbreak; and what the timescale is for allowing casinos to be reopened.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

DCMS officials are in regular contact with Public Health England and the casino sector to discuss the protections that are needed to allow casinos to reopen safely. This includes arranging a visit for public health representatives to assess the measures which are in place. I have spoken with representatives of the sector about the impacts of closure, and the government is working to ensure casinos can open as soon as the medical and scientific advice is that it is safe to do so.


Written Question
Casinos: Coronavirus
Monday 6th July 2020

Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what recent assessment he has made of the financial effect of the lockdown restrictions due to the covid-19 outbreak on casinos; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

DCMS officials are in regular contact with Public Health England and the casino sector to discuss the protections that are needed to allow casinos to reopen safely. This includes arranging a visit for public health representatives to assess the measures which are in place. I have spoken with representatives of the sector about the impacts of closure, and the government is working to ensure casinos can open as soon as the medical and scientific advice is that it is safe to do so.


Written Question
Casinos: Coronavirus
Monday 6th July 2020

Asked by: Laurence Robertson (Conservative - Tewkesbury)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will visit a casino to observe the safety measures being put in place to counter the spread of covid-19.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

DCMS officials are in regular contact with Public Health England and the casino sector to discuss the protections that are needed to allow casinos to reopen safely. This includes arranging a visit for public health representatives to assess the measures which are in place. I have spoken with representatives of the sector about the impacts of closure, and the government is working to ensure casinos can open as soon as the medical and scientific advice is that it is safe to do so.