Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 20 May 2021 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State will look into the outcomes of the football financing inquiry.
  • Operators have announced the first 333 upgrades and 54 new sites in England under the 1 billion shared rural network programme.
  • The Government will send a clear message to local authorities regarding parkrun's permission to operate.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Clive Betts Lab Sheffield South East
Business & Trade
Context

The proposal for the European super league was driven by a small number of clubs wanting greater financial power and control, which is similar to how the Premier League was set up.

Question

The proposal for the European super league was driven by a small number of clubs wanting greater financial power and control, which in some ways was exactly the reason that the Premier League itself was set up in the first place. I was somewhat disappointed by the Secretary of State's answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Rochdale (Tony Lloyd), when he described the £4.8 billion deal that the Premier League has just done on TV rights—with only £100 million coming to the rest of football—as money flowing “through the…pyramid”. May I seek reassurance from the Secretary of State, therefore, that his support for the financial status quo will not in any way compromise the ability of the hon. Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch) to recommend the radical changes to governance, regulation and the distribution of finance in football that the vast majority of fans want to see?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The short answer is yes, of course I will look at the outcome of the inquiry that I have commissioned. I have specifically asked my hon. Friend the Member for Chatham and Aylesford (Tracey Crouch) to look at football financing and the pyramid, because I know all the challenges with it. That is separate from the interim measures that will cover the next three years. That will ensure that money flows through the pyramid, because it is not just the additional £100 million; it is all the other payments to the English Football League that will be secured through that announcement, should it go ahead.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While the Secretary of State acknowledged the importance of looking at football financing and ensuring money flows through the pyramid, he did not provide a clear commitment about supporting radical changes to governance and regulation.

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Q2 Damian Hinds Con East Hampshire
Context

The shared rural network initiative aims to eliminate mobile coverage notspots across the country.

Question

The shared rural network is a fantastic initiative. What good news can we have for the notspots of Hampshire?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

Yes, our £1 billion shared rural network is eliminating mobile coverage notspots across the country, including in East Hampshire. Operators have already announced the first 333 upgrades and 54 new sites in England. We will shortly be announcing the next stage of the programme. Although I cannot give full details now, I very much expect this to contain more good news for my right hon. Friend's constituents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State acknowledged the initiative's positive impact but did not provide specific details or commitments about future developments in Hampshire.

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Q3 Jo Stevens Lab Cardiff East
Community Security Mental Health Local Government
Context

More than 3 million people participate in parkrun in England, and it plays a major role in the physical and mental wellbeing of participants.

Question

More than 3 million people participate in parkrun in England, and it plays a major role in the physical and mental wellbeing of participants. Parkrun has had legal permission to return since 29 March under the covid framework from the Government and Public Health England, but there is completely inconsistent decision making across authorities, and the situation is threatening parkrun's future.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

Yes. I completely share the hon. Lady's frustration that this is not happening. I have discussed it with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, and he and I will shortly be sending a very clear message and signal in writing to local authorities about our expectation that those events should proceed.

Answered
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Q4 Jo Stevens Lab Cardiff East
NHS
Context

Singing also makes a positive difference to the health of over 2 million people who sing in amateur choirs.

Question

I am delighted with the Secretary of State's response and grateful for it. Singing also makes a positive difference to the health of over 2 million people who sing in amateur choirs. The go-ahead was given for indoor rehearsals from Monday of this week, following step 3 of the roadmap, but on Tuesday, literally as conductors were on their way to rehearsals, late guidance was issued by DCMS limiting indoor rehearsals to just six people in total.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I share the frustration of many Members of this House that we have not been able to permit more people to participate in amateur choirs. I can tell the House and reassure Members that that decision was made on the basis of very clear public health guidance. Ultimately, the Prime Minister and I did not feel that we could contradict that public health guidance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While acknowledging frustration, the Secretary of State did not provide specific evidence or confirm publication of it.

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Q5 Cherilyn Mackrory
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Falmouth is welcoming the world's media as part of the G7 summit, showcasing Cornwall's heritage and culture.

Question

Next month Falmouth is welcoming the world's media as part of the G7 summit and showing off the very best of Cornwall's heritage and culture. As my right hon. Friend will know, Falmouth University produces some of the world's best graduates in the creative arts industries. Will he meet me to discuss how best we can nurture this talent to potentially grow the film, TV and post-production elements in Falmouth in order to provide these quality industry careers here in Cornwall?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

As my hon. Friend knows, I am a great supporter of Cornish culture and heritage, and I know of the outstanding reputation of Falmouth University. We have done a huge amount to support this country's film industry, which is currently probably stronger than it has ever been, notwithstanding covid. I or one of my ministerial colleagues would be delighted to meet her to discuss what more we can do to support the Cornish film industry.

Partly answered

Not addressed: While expressing willingness to meet, the Secretary of State did not provide a commitment on concrete actions or timelines for supporting the Cornish film industry.

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Q6 John Nicolson SNP
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The Culture Secretary claimed the government is defending heritage, but there have been almost 800 library closures and the Whitehall Bell Foundry was sold to commercial developers after 450 years of continuous operation. The speaker also mentioned concerns about Brexit visa issues affecting the cultural sector.

Question

I am concerned that cuts have led to almost 800 library closures, the Whitehall Bell Foundry has been passed into the hands of commercial developers, and we have not heard what will replace Creative Europe culture funding. Should the Culture Secretary not be focusing on sorting out the Brexit visa mess rather than meddling in museums?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I have given £2 billion-worth of support, which is the largest injection by any Government ever. My primary focus is to enable heritage attractions and theatres up and down the country to operate normally again under stage 4 of the road map.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about focusing on Brexit visa issues for cultural workers was not addressed directly.

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