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 assessment of the potential impact of Ofcom’s proposed revisions to rules on the quantity and scheduling of television advertising on public service channels on the (a) number and (b) diversity of television channels.

Ofcom has a statutory duty to maintain standards in broadcast advertising, working in a co-regulatory partnership with the Advertising Standards Authority. Ofcom also has general duties under the Communications Act 2003 in relation to audience impact, including the plurality and diversity of television services.

This is therefore a matter for Ofcom as the independent regulator that administers the Code on the scheduling of television advertising.

Ofcom's consultation on proposed revisions to the rules governing the quantity and scheduling of television advertising on public service broadcasting channels was announced on 19 April and closed on 31 May. In their consultation document, Ofcom set out how it considers its proposals fit with its duties under the Communications Act 2003. Ofcom will publish their final decision after they have considered the responses and evidence, including on the impacts to audiences, as well as Public Service Broadcasters and other broadcasters.