TV Licences for Over-75s

Debate between Margot James and Jim Cunningham

Wednesday 8th May 2019 Commons Chamber

[Margot James]

I shall make some progress, then give way in a few moments.

As the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport set out a couple of months ago, the BBC is a powerful example of how our public service broadcasters act as a force for good at home, performing in the national interest to deliver valuable news coverage and hugely popular shows.

[Mr Jim Cunningham]

To come back to the point I made earlier, if you have given the responsibility to the BBC, why did you include it in your election manifesto? That is the nub of the issue. Can you clarify whether you are going to honour the manifesto commitment or leave it to the BBC to make the cut that you are avoiding?

[Mr Speaker]

That was very naughty of the hon. Gentleman. The word “you” is intruding with increasing frequency. I did not have a manifesto and I did not make a promise on this matter, but I think the hon. Gentleman was referring to the Minister, and I am happy to vest the responsibility where it lies.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Margot James and Jim Cunningham

Thursday 21st June 2018 Commons Chamber

[Margot James]

I assure my right hon. Friend that the Government are making progress. We have reformed the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to give more protection to consumers when they are purchasing from secondary ticketing sites. We have also brought in ban the bots legislation so that it is now illegal to use electronic means to secure more tickets that the number the original organisers state as a maximum.

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

14. Given that Coventry has the Ricoh arena, what are the Minister and the Secretary of State doing to ensure that the director-general of the BBC invests in Coventry at the same levels as in Hull?