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 impact of the implementation of the terms of trade outlined in the Communications Act 2003 on the (a) independent television production sector and (b) creative economy.

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

The terms of trade regime as set out in the Communications Act 2003 has been central to the growth of the independent television production sector and the wider creative economy since it was introduced in 2004. A recent report from Pact, the trade body representing independent film and television producers highlighted how the regime had played an important role in enabling independent producers to retain more of the intellectual property they create.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will create an offence of (a) lying in office and (b) using (i) media and (ii) social media to mislead (A) followers and (B) the public.

Answered by Abena Oppong-Asare - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office has no plans to create such an offence. All public office-holders are expected to adhere to the Seven Principles of Public Life which includes the principle of honesty.

In addition, ministers are expected to uphold the high standards of conduct set out in the Ministerial Code. MPs and members of the House of Lords must adhere to the relevant parliamentary code of conduct and in the course of their parliamentary duties have a responsibility to provide accurate information to the public and to Parliament, correcting any errors at the earliest opportunity.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether the proposed network subsidy to the Post Office could be used to support Post Offices with rental costs as they become franchises.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government provides a network subsidy so that Post Office can cover the costs of delivering Government policy requirements, which include geographical access criteria. In order to fulfil the access criteria, Post Office has to keep uncommercial branches open. The network subsidy is to help the company to afford to do this. The network subsidy does not fund costs relating to the implementation of Post Office's transformation plan, which includes transitioning to a fully franchised network. Government provided POL with £10.9m of funding in FY 24/25 to help initiate the transformation plan. Further multi-year funding for the transformation plan is currently being considered.

Government has confirmed up to £83 million network subsidy for Financial Year 25/26. Funding beyond this will be confirmed as part of the upcoming Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, over what period the proposed network subsidy to the Post Office would last.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government provides a network subsidy so that Post Office can cover the costs of delivering Government policy requirements, which include geographical access criteria. In order to fulfil the access criteria, Post Office has to keep uncommercial branches open. The network subsidy is to help the company to afford to do this. The network subsidy does not fund costs relating to the implementation of Post Office's transformation plan, which includes transitioning to a fully franchised network. Government provided POL with £10.9m of funding in FY 24/25 to help initiate the transformation plan. Further multi-year funding for the transformation plan is currently being considered.

Government has confirmed up to £83 million network subsidy for Financial Year 25/26. Funding beyond this will be confirmed as part of the upcoming Spending Review.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, how much and what proportion of the proposed network subsidy to the Post Office would be used to support the transition of directly managed branches to franchises.

Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government provides a network subsidy so that Post Office can cover the costs of delivering Government policy requirements, which include geographical access criteria. In order to fulfil the access criteria, Post Office has to keep uncommercial branches open. The network subsidy is to help the company to afford to do this. The network subsidy does not fund costs relating to the implementation of Post Office's transformation plan, which includes transitioning to a fully franchised network. Government provided POL with £10.9m of funding in FY 24/25 to help initiate the transformation plan. Further multi-year funding for the transformation plan is currently being considered.

Government has confirmed up to £83 million network subsidy for Financial Year 25/26. Funding beyond this will be confirmed as part of the upcoming Spending Review.

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 impact of the introduction of the Terms of Trade regime under the Communications Act 2003 on the (a) independent television production sector and (b) creative economy.

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

The terms of trade regime as set out in the Communications Act 2003 has been central to the growth of the independent television production sector and the wider creative economy since it was introduced in 2004. A recent report from Pact, the trade body representing independent film and television producers, highlighted how the regime had played an important role in enabling independent producers to retain more of the intellectual property they create.

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier

Found: Patricia Ferguson Simon Hoare Adam Jogee John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier

Found: Page 2, line 16, leave out Clause 3 _24 Daniel Francis Melanie Ward Neil Coyle Dame Meg Hillier