Asked by: Roz Savage (Liberal Democrat - South Cotswolds)
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 adequacy of protections for non-designated but significant archaeological sites under current (a) heritage and (b) land management regulations; and if she will consider introducing new (i) powers and (ii) funding streams to support (A) geophysical surveys and (B) site preservation where landowner cooperation is not forthcoming.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
No such assessment has been undertaken recently.
The significance of non-designated heritage assets varies considerably. Measures to help conserve significant non-designated heritage assets through the planning and development control processes are included in national planning policy, while incentives for the positive management of some of those located in rural areas can be found in environmental land management schemes. Owners of such assets can also consider entering into related conservation covenants.
The protections conferred specifically by heritage legislation primarily relate to designated heritage assets, including Scheduled Monuments and Listed Buildings. Some non-designated heritage assets may benefit from a degree of legislative protection by being incidentally located on, in or under land that has been protected by non-heritage-related designations (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest).
The Government has no plans at the present time to introduce further measures.
Asked by: Roz Savage (Liberal Democrat - South Cotswolds)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make funding available to support the creation of a Covid-19 memorial in South Cotswolds constituency.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will never be forgotten, and the recent COVID-19 Day of Reflection was an opportunity for communities to come together to remember the lives of those who died, and the sacrifices made by so many. The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration consulted on how to commemorate the COVID-19 pandemic and mark this distinctive period in our history at a national and community level. This Commission made a number of recommendations, including the creation of new COVID-19 memorials in local communities.
This government wants to carefully consider all the Commission's recommendations, working closely with Bereaved Family groups, other departments and the Devolved Governments to do justice to the hard work of the Commission, and will publish a response in due course.
Asked by: Roz Savage (Liberal Democrat - South Cotswolds)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an estimate of the number of charities that will pay increased employer National Insurance contributions in financial year (a) 2024-25 and (b) 2025-26 in South Cotswolds constituency.
Answered by Stephanie Peacock - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
At the recent Budget, the government took a number of difficult decisions on tax, welfare, and spending to fix the foundations of the public finances, fund public services, and restore economic stability.
The government recognises the need to protect the smallest businesses and charities, which is why we have more than doubled the Employment Allowance to £10,500. This means that more than half of businesses (including charities) with NICs liabilities will either gain or see no change next year, such as those in the South Cotswold constituency.
We are also expanding eligibility of the Employment Allowance by removing the £100,000 eligibility threshold, to simplify and reform employer NICs so that all eligible employers now benefit. Businesses and charities will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs including those for under 21s and under 25 apprentices, where eligible.
Within the tax system, we provide support to charities through a range of reliefs and exemptions, including reliefs for charitable giving. More than £6 billion in charitable reliefs was provided to charities, Community Amateur Sports Clubs and their donors in 2023 to 2024. The biggest individual reliefs provided are Gift Aid at £1.6 billion and business rates relief at nearly £2.4 billion.
DCMS does not hold the specific regional financial impacts of this policy. A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) has been published by HMRC, setting out the impact of the policy on the exchequer; the economic impacts of the policy; and the impacts on individuals, businesses, civil society organisations and equality impacts. The TIIN for the employer NICs changes was published on 13 November 2024.
Asked by: Roz Savage (Liberal Democrat - South Cotswolds)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to support hotel owners in South Cotswolds constituency.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is supporting hotel owners in the South Cotswolds and across the UK through measures such as business rates relief, and funding opportunities like the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. These initiatives aim to alleviate operational costs, promote regional tourism, and drive economic growth. The Government also works closely with VisitBritain and Cotswold Plus (the Local Visitor Economy Partnership for the wider Cotswolds region) to boost marketing efforts, attract visitors, and support the hospitality sector's recovery and growth.