Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Nigel Adams and Jonathan Edwards

Thursday 13th February 2020 Commons Chamber

[Nigel Adams]

I fully intend to deliver on our commitment to work with fans to move towards standing at football. In one of my first meetings following the election, I met the Premier League, the English Football League, the Football Association, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority and the Football Supporters’ Association to discuss this pledge with them. Last week, I was pleased to receive the interim findings of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority’s research, and I have asked it to continue that research with a view to delivering safe standing at football for football supporters.

[Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) (PC)]

T4. The Department’s contribution to the funding of S4C is due to cease in 2022. Does the Minister intend the licence fee to make up the shortfall? Given the present uncertainty about the fee, will he, as a matter of urgency, make a statement about how the funding will be protected post 2022?

BBC Licence Fee

Debate between Nigel Adams and Jonathan Edwards

Thursday 6th February 2020 Commons Chamber

[Nigel Adams]

I am not surprised that the Magistrates Association has been calling for that. As I said in my answer to my right hon. Friend the Member for Ashford (Damian Green) earlier, more than 120,000 people were prosecuted last year under the current regime, which is why we are having the review and consultation.

[Jonathan Edwards (Carmarthen East and Dinefwr) (PC)]

As the Minister knows, S4C is largely funded these days via the licence fee, and the BBC itself is the main provider of broadcast news in both of the national languages of Wales. What assurances can the Minister give that these vital public broadcasting services will be adequately resourced well into the future?