Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they intend to take to ensure that local commercial radio stations remain local in (1) presence, and (2) content.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
The local programming and content requirements for holders of local analogue commercial radio licenses (whether the holder is ultimately owned by an international media organisation or not) are set by Ofcom under the legislative framework – primarily the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Communications Act 2003. Changes to legislation introduced by the previous Government in March 2010 gave local commercial stations the ability to network local programming within defined editorial areas for the first time.
Under section 314 of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom is required to produce and keep up to date localness guidance for local analogue radio license holders to follow in complying with their local programming and content requirements. In 2018, Ofcom consulted on changes to the localness guidance following research on listener attitudes. Ofcom’s impact assessment covered the potential impacts on radio listeners and the industry.
Compliance with licence requirements is a matter Ofcom, the independent regulator.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on local communities of local commercial radio stations being bought by international media companies; and the move away from local programming to centralised content produced in London which is also aired by other stations.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
The local programming and content requirements for holders of local analogue commercial radio licenses (whether the holder is ultimately owned by an international media organisation or not) are set by Ofcom under the legislative framework – primarily the Broadcasting Act 1990 and the Communications Act 2003. Changes to legislation introduced by the previous Government in March 2010 gave local commercial stations the ability to network local programming within defined editorial areas for the first time.
Under section 314 of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom is required to produce and keep up to date localness guidance for local analogue radio license holders to follow in complying with their local programming and content requirements. In 2018, Ofcom consulted on changes to the localness guidance following research on listener attitudes. Ofcom’s impact assessment covered the potential impacts on radio listeners and the industry.
Compliance with licence requirements is a matter Ofcom, the independent regulator.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to take any action against social media companies which allow advertisements from essay mill services and contract cheating companies; and if so, what action.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
The public must have confidence in the exam system and cheating of any kind is unacceptable.
Online advertising is not specifically in scope of the forthcoming Online Harms White Paper and will be looked at in detail as part of the online advertising review announced by the Secretary of State in February. To the extent that there is overlap between the White Paper and online advertising self-regulation, we will work with stakeholders on any duplication that may arise as a result of the proposals.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what support is available to young people under the age of 18 for gambling addiction from (1) the NHS, (2) educational services, and (3) other public service providers.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
Children whose gambling is associated with other addictions or mental health issues can access treatment for those conditions in NHS primary and secondary care. In addition, dedicated treatment for gambling disorders is commissioned by the charity GambleAware. This includes the National Gambling Helpline and a national network of treatment services which are accessible across Great Britain. Most people accessing services are over 18 but they are available to people of any age, including young people. GambleAware also funds the NHS National Problem Gambling Clinic, with a second clinic due to open in Leeds in April 2019.
GambleAware’s delivery plan for 2018-20 aligns with strategic priorities set by the regulator, the Gambling Commission, and its expert advisors on research, education and treatment, the Responsible Gambling Strategy Board (RGSB). The delivery plan includes developing and promoting a ‘knowledge hub’ of resources and guidance for teachers and those who work with young people, as well as working with agencies that support young people’s mental health and supporting parents to have conversations with children.
Schools are expected to promote the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils and some teach about gambling and addiction as part of their Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education. The non-statutory PSHE programme of study, published by the PSHE Association, includes teaching about gambling (including online) and its psychological and financial impact.
The Department for Education’s consultation on Relationships, Sex and Health Education, including draft content on online behaviour and mental wellbeing, closed on 7 November. The Department is currently analysing responses to the consultation before finalising regulations and guidance.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to develop a system of parental guidance for television dramas and films broadcast after the 9pm watershed.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
Ofcom, the independent broadcast regulator, takes the protection of children and young people very seriously. Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code contains stringent rules to ensure that under eighteens are effectively protected from harm.
The Broadcasting Code and guidance advises broadcasters to various ways they can warn audiences about graphic content or content likely to offend. In addition, there are a range of audience protection tools, including programme scheduling information, mandatory PIN protections, as well as the 9pm watershed, that parents and guardians can use to ensure that children are protected from broadcast content that is unsuitable for them.
The watershed is an effective way to protect children from unsuitable content. A recent Ofcom survey found that 60% of parents think 9pm is the right time for adult content to be shown on television and that 89% of people understand what the watershed is. However, protections do not cease at 9pm. The transition to more adult material must not be unduly abrupt and the strongest material should appear later in the evening.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to prevent children and young people becoming addicted to gambling.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
Protecting children and the vulnerable from being harmed or exploited by gambling is a core objective of the regulation of gambling in Great Britain, and a priority for the government. Operators offering gambling services to people in Great Britain must have a licence from the Gambling Commission and must have effective policies and procedures designed to prevent underage gambling. The Gambling Commission has a range of powers to act in the case of failure, including the power to suspend or revoke a licence, impose financial penalties or prosecute criminal offences. The Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility set out measures to increase existing protections around online gambling and gambling advertising. The Gambling Commission is currently consulting on strengthening age verification protections for online gambling. It is also working with the video games industry to raise awareness of the risks of third parties using its products to provide illegal gambling facilities.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to protect children from gambling adverts and marketing.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
There are strict controls on the content of all gambling advertisements, including television adverts and online. Gambling operators who advertise in the UK must comply with the advertising codes, which ensure gambling advertising does not target or appeal to children or young people. The Gambling Commission works closely with the Advertising Standards Authority and has recently consulted on expanding the sanctions available if codes are breached.
We considered advertising as part of our Review of Gaming Machines and Social Responsibility. The response was published on 17 May. The Review looked at protections around gambling advertising and set out a package of initiatives to strengthen protections further, including forthcoming guidance from the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) on protecting children and young people. It also recognised that there were gaps in the evidence available, and proposed measures to fill these, including significant research commissioned by GambleAware into the impact of gambling advertising on children, young people and those vulnerable to harm.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the opportunity arising from the establishment by Channel Four of a second headquarters outside London to develop their regional policy and to promote less affluent parts of the UK; and what discussions they have had with Channel Four in this regard.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
We are committed to spreading jobs, prosperity and opportunity around the UK, and Channel 4, as a publicly-owned public service broadcaster, can play an important part in this. The government commissioned external economic analysis which found that there could be significant regional economic benefits from Channel 4 relocating staff and moving spending out of London. The government welcomes Channel 4's agreement to increase its regional impact, and in doing so it will better reflect and provide for the country that owns it.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the decision to establish a second headquarters for Channel Four outside London was taken solely by the broadcaster; if not, what input Government ministers and officials had into that decision; whether Channel Four will be solely responsible for the decision where to establish that new headquarters; and if not, whether that decision must be signed off by a minister, and by whom.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
The government has long been committed to Channel 4 moving outside of London, and has worked closely with Channel 4 to find a solution that worked for Channel 4 and the country that owns it. Channel 4's proposal was put forward by Channel 4, and will be implemented by Channel 4. Channel 4 will launch a process in April in which cities and regions across the UK can pitch to become the home of Channel 4's new National HQ and creative hubs. The decision on location will be taken by Channel 4 not by government, and Channel 4 has said it will take this decision in Q3 2018.
Asked by: Lord Storey (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ashton of Hyde on 7 March (HL5757), what plans they have to enable Ofcom to regulate podcasts which are not produced by the BBC.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
There are no plans to regulate podcasts that are not produced and owned by the BBC.