Topical Questions 2023-06-15
2023-06-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
None provided.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities since the last oral questions.
Since our last oral questions, my Department has delivered a gambling White Paper to bring our gambling regulations into the smartphone age, the historic coronation of King Charles III, and an unforgettable Eurovision final in Liverpool. As Members of the House will know, our creative industries are genuinely world class. Yesterday, the Chancellor and I set out a new vision for those industries that will extend their excellence into the future, building a pipeline of talent, adding £50 billion to our economy and creating an extra 1 million jobs by 2030.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Dudley Town Football Club has been promoted to the Midlands Premier League after a gap of 38 years.
Will my right hon. and learned Friend join me in congratulating Dudley Town football club, which has recently been promoted to the midlands premier league for the first time in 38 years? Will she also do what she can to support me and Mayor Andy Street in our joint campaign with Dudley Town football club to return it to its rightful grounds within Dudley borough?
I am happy to join my hon. Friend in congratulating Dudley Town football club on its tremendous season, its league title and its promotion. I understand the importance to fans of where football is played, and fans want to watch their teams play in Dudley town. I wish the club well in its aspirations to return there.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State has not done enough to address the financial issues in football as highlighted in her White Paper.
On that note, perhaps the Secretary of State will also join me in congratulating my constituents and my club, Manchester City, on its historic treble-winning season. As yet another Premier League AGM passes, and Wigan Athletic faces a winding up order, why has the Secretary of State not personally done more to bring about a fair financial settlement with the English Football League and the Football Association, to address the problems set out in her own White Paper and press the Premier League to do more? Does she share my strong view that the football regulator must be given all the powers it needs to resolve this matter?
Of course I congratulate Manchester City on its tremendous achievement. It is really important that football sorts out the finances within football. That is why we have consistently encouraged the Premier League and the EFL to come to some resolution, and I seriously hope they do. The hon. Lady will know that that is one of the reasons why we brought forward the White Paper, and why we are bringing forward regulation. I hope that football resolves this issue itself.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner requested a fair financial settlement with EFL and FA but received no specific commitments on that.
Hope
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
In 2020, only a small fraction of the complaints to IPSO were investigated or upheld.
In 2020, 30,126 complaints were made to the Independent Press Standards Organisation. Only 496 were investigated, and only 79 out of more than 30,000 complaints were upheld. When are we going to stop talking about the freedom of the press, and recognise that with that freedom comes responsibility? We cannot let them keep marking their own homework and giving themselves a clean bill of health.
The Government remain committed to press freedom, which is a cornerstone of our democracy. For the Government to intervene in the regulation of the press would run counter to that. However, I recognise what my hon. Friend says. There is a duty on newspapers to behave responsibly, and the vast majority are members of an independent regulator, the most recent review of which found it to be both independent and effective.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner requested recognition of press responsibility but received no specific commitments on that.
Freedom Of Press
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The BBC has a plan to address the high proportion of women being prosecuted for licence fee evasion.
What recent discussions has the Minister had with the BBC regarding its plan to reduce the high proportion of women being prosecuted for licence fee evasion, which the BBC set out last month?
The hon. Gentleman will be aware that we have had several studies on decriminalisation, and those looked specifically at the reasons why more women are prosecuted. There are a variety of reasons, but the BBC has made it plain that it intends to try to address that. I agree with him—it is a concerning figure—but there are complicated explanations for it. I hope that the number will fall in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner requested specific discussions but received no concrete commitments on that.
Hope
Complicated
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The Wallington Music Festival is happening in the constituency.
This Saturday, the Wallington music festival will be happening in my constituency. I am sure that my right hon. Friend will agree that these events are fantastic for our local communities. Will he please outline what guidance I can give about Government support that might be available to allow such events to continue to be put on?
I congratulate my hon. Friend on his advocacy for his constituency. I am only sorry that I shall miss the Wallington music festival this weekend; I am sure that it will be a terrific occasion. Festivals play a vital part in the British cultural and music landscape and are key to the talent pipeline. Organisers, including festivals, are eligible to apply for Arts Council England's national lottery project grants to support projects that help bring live music to the public. I encourage him to draw that to his constituents' attention.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Operators in Cambridge are facing difficult decisions due to high energy prices.
The issues of high energy prices and swimming pools were raised earlier. I am advised by operators in Cambridge that they face really hard decisions soon. The Minister said that he would make an announcement shortly, but businesses have to plan. How many of them does he think are at risk if he does not make that announcement soon?
That is precisely why we are working at pace to try to get exactly that information. The evidence that we have been receiving shows a mixed picture, so rather than just giving everybody a bit, I would rather ensure that we target those areas that need it most. I assure the hon. Member that I am as keen as he is to get that money out of the door as quickly as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner requested an estimate but received no specific number.
Mixed Picture
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
18% of all female criminal prosecutions in 2021 were for non-possession of a television licence.
Further to the question from the hon. Member for Ogmore (Chris Elmore), 18% of all female criminal prosecutions in 2021 were for the non-possession of a television licence, which seems completely unreasonable. Will my right hon. and learned Friend meet me and my constituent Josiane to discuss that further and receive a 250,000-signature petition asking for decriminalisation?
Like my hon. Friend, I am concerned that criminal sanction for TV licence evasion is increasingly disproportionate and unfair in a modern public service broadcasting system. Our review of the BBC funding model will consider whether a mandatory licence fee with criminal penalties is still appropriate. As the Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries mentioned, the BBC has recently published the findings of its gender disparity review and set out a 10-point plan of action, which we will be monitoring.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner requested a meeting but received no specific commitment on that.
Review
Monitoring
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The draft Media Bill proposes to redefine public service broadcasting, which includes deleting music, comedy, and drama from the requirements. This change is concerning as it removes all cultural output obligations.
Why does clause 1 of the draft Media Bill remove music, comedy, and drama from the definition of public service broadcasting, thereby eliminating all requirement for cultural output?
I look forward to discussing this matter further with the hon. Lady when I appear before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee in due course. The Media Bill is published in draft, with part of the reason being so that we can have a debate about the precise definitions contained in it.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific request for an explanation was not addressed directly; instead, the answerer noted they will discuss this further but did not provide an immediate explanation.
Looking To Have A Debate About Definitions
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a debate on the future funding of public service broadcasting, with questions arising over whether individuals should be required to purchase certain services.
Does the Secretary of State believe it is fair to force people by criminal law to buy Sky TV packages if they do not want them? If not, why mandate BBC licence fees for those who may prefer alternatives?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. He will know that the Department is considering all possible future funding options to ensure the BBC's long-term sustainability, because the digital world is indeed changing.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific request about whether both scenarios are equally absurd was not addressed directly; instead, the answerer noted consideration of future funding options.
Considering All Possible Future Funding Options
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
Companies are increasing their spending on formula milk advertising, with the cost impacting public health due to higher prices at retail.
What conversations has the Secretary of State had about companies' increased spending on formula milk advertising and its effect on the price at the till?
I am very happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss that issue further.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific request about conversations had was not addressed; instead, an offer for a future meeting was made.
Offer To Meet
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
Omaze is concerned about potential limits on prize draws in the gambling White Paper, which they see as a valuable tool for charity fundraising.
Does the Minister agree that prize draws are useful for charity fundraising with low risk to consumers? Will he keep this in mind when looking at further regulation of the sector?
My hon. Friend is right to point out that prize draws and competitions provide great opportunities for charities. They do not fall within the definition of gambling in the Gambling Act 2005 and are exempt from regulation, which means it is very difficult for us to get evidence on what the contribution to charity is and on potential harm. That is why we are looking at whether there is a need for research in this area and whether any action is needed.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific request about keeping it in mind during future regulation was not directly addressed; instead, the Minister noted difficulties in obtaining evidence on contribution to charity and potential harm.
Difficulty In Getting Evidence
Considering Need For Research
Response accuracy