Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many representations her Department has received from (a) organisations, (b) hon. Members and (c) individuals on the future of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Between the beginning of September 2024 and Friday 13th December, the department has received 323 items of correspondence on the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme: 119 from organisations; 119 from hon. and rt. hon. Members; and, 85 from individual members of the public.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many (a) Buddhist, (b) Jewish, (c) Muslim, (d) Sikh and (e) other non-Christian places of worship are listed in (i) England, (ii) Wales, (iii) Scotland and (iv) Northern Ireland for their architecture or historic interest.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
Each devolved nation is responsible for its own listings regime. Details on listed buildings can be found on the public lists maintained by Historic England, Cadw, Historic Environment Scotland and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland respectively. The list maintained by Historic England is searchable by key words which can include denomination.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when the next meeting of the Heritage Council will be.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The next meeting will be organised soon, when we look forward to taking forward a series of important measures with the heritage sector and listening to people’s concerns and ideas for the future.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Welsh Government on taking steps to tackle digital poverty amongst pensioners in Newport West constituency.
Answered by Paul Scully
Digital inclusion is a devolved policy area, and as such most relevant initiatives are undertaken by the Welsh Government. However the government is focused on building a world-leading digital economy that works for everyone.
DCMS liaises with the Welsh Government on matters relating to digital inclusion as a part of the British-Irish Council format. This includes regular sharing of best practice, evidence and updates on progress on digital inclusion, as well as working together to organise regular digital inclusion ministerial summits.
We understand that access to broadband, mobile and landline services can be a challenge for low income households, particularly at the current time. DCMS has negotiated a range of high-quality, low-cost social tariffs for households in receipt of Universal Credit and other means tested benefits, including Pension Credit. These are available in 99% of the UK.
We also recognise that some older people are hesitant to access online services because they fear that they may become victims of fraud, or that it is an unsafe environment for their personal data. For this reason, we are taking a number of steps to improve the safety and trustworthiness of the online space, including:
Increasing online safety by introducing the Online Safety Bill to Parliament, which sets new rules for firms which host user-generated content, and focuses on protecting people from online scams.
Enabling the widespread use of secure and accessible digital identity solutions that meet the needs of all those who wish to use them, by setting standards, establishing governance, removing legislative blockers, and engaging with industry and civil society groups.
Charities such as AgeUK and AbilityNet also play an important role in providing support with technology and the internet through guides, training courses and volunteers to help people make the most of the internet.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has taken recent steps to help encourage older people to (a) get an email address and (b) start using the internet in (i) Newport West constituency and (ii) Wales.
Answered by Paul Scully
Digital inclusion is a devolved policy area, and as such most relevant initiatives are undertaken by the Welsh Government. However the government is focused on building a world-leading digital economy that works for everyone.
DCMS liaises with the Welsh Government on matters relating to digital inclusion as a part of the British-Irish Council format. This includes regular sharing of best practice, evidence and updates on progress on digital inclusion, as well as working together to organise regular digital inclusion ministerial summits.
We understand that access to broadband, mobile and landline services can be a challenge for low income households, particularly at the current time. DCMS has negotiated a range of high-quality, low-cost social tariffs for households in receipt of Universal Credit and other means tested benefits, including Pension Credit. These are available in 99% of the UK.
We also recognise that some older people are hesitant to access online services because they fear that they may become victims of fraud, or that it is an unsafe environment for their personal data. For this reason, we are taking a number of steps to improve the safety and trustworthiness of the online space, including:
Increasing online safety by introducing the Online Safety Bill to Parliament, which sets new rules for firms which host user-generated content, and focuses on protecting people from online scams.
Enabling the widespread use of secure and accessible digital identity solutions that meet the needs of all those who wish to use them, by setting standards, establishing governance, removing legislative blockers, and engaging with industry and civil society groups.
Charities such as AgeUK and AbilityNet also play an important role in providing support with technology and the internet through guides, training courses and volunteers to help people make the most of the internet.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how much her Department spent on energy in each of the last three years.
Answered by Julia Lopez
The Department has spent the following on energy in the London building in the last three years.
Year | Gas | Electricity | Total energy costs | Further information | ||
2020 | £60,803.01 | £109,578.71 | £170,381.72 | Charges when building was managed by HMRC | ||
2021 | £192,783.08 | £192,783.08 | Building started being managed by the GPA | |||
2022 | £54,084 | £54,082.56 | Charges as of March 2022 | |||
Total |
| £417,247.36 |
| |||
We opened our North West Headquarters in November 2021 where energy forms parts of an all-inclusive rental charge and costs incurred are therefore unavailable for this building.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many members of staff have left her Department since 12 December 2019.
Answered by Julia Lopez
1506 members of staff (permanent, FTA and contractors) have left the Department since 12 December 2019.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she is taking to help ensure that the 2022 Commonwealth Games delivers a legacy for people in (a) Newport West constituency, (b) Wales and (c) the United Kingdom.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston
Ensuring that the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games leaves a lasting legacy for the host city and region, and the whole of the UK, has been our top priority in delivering the Games. Birmingham 2022 has played a crucial role in our levelling up agenda, creating opportunities for individuals, communities and businesses all over the UK, from contracts let to businesses, to participation in the Commonwealth Collective of volunteers, to the world-class facilities, opportunities and inspiration for athletes from all the home nations. The Games have been an important means of bringing the nation together this summer in a landmark year for major cultural and sporting events in the UK.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 20 June 2022 to Question 18050 on Channel Four Television, how many times she has met the Chief Executive of Channel 4 in 2022 as of 20 June.
Answered by Julia Lopez
DCMS ministers and officials continue to meet with Channel 4.
The Secretary of State made clear in her oral evidence session with the DCMS Select Committee on 19 May that the Government wants to work collaboratively with the Channel 4 Management and Board to secure the best future for the broadcaster.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, how many times she has met the senior management at Channel 4 since her appointment.
Answered by Julia Lopez
During the consultation period, the Government worked closely with Channel 4’s management to understand the challenges and opportunities the changing market presents and different models and plans that might support Channel 4’s future.
DCMS ministers and officials continue to meet regularly with Channel 4.