Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to increase investment and training in television production in Yorkshire.

As part of the Government programme of establishing local television services, in the last year two stations have been issued with licences in Leeds and Sheffield that not only broadcast across Yorkshire but also provide career and training opportunities in TV. Screen Yorkshire, which has been in existence for over 10 years, has also been at the forefront of championing the film, TV, games and digital industries in Yorkshire. Some examples of programmes what have been filmed in Yorkshire include: Tyrannosaur, Death Comes to Pemberley, Peaky Blinders, Catch Me Deadly and the new film version of Dad’s Army for release next year. Under Section 337 of the Communications Act, Ofcom requires broadcasters through licence conditions to make arrangements for equal opportunities and training, and to publish observations on this annually.