Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 1 July 2021 · 9 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government announced ambitious proposals for broadcasting reform, including regulation equalisation for video on demand services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
  • Union flag is the national flag of the United Kingdom, embodying the emblems of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
  • Government is progressing towards full reopening on 19 July and exploring potential market failure insurance extension.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jamie Wallis
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question arises from proposed broadcasting reforms that include regulating video on demand services, ensuring prominence for public service broadcasters, and considering changes to Channel 4's ownership.

Question

I am concerned about the government's ambitious proposals for broadcasting reform including equalisation of regulation of video on demand services, such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. Can the Secretary of State confirm these plans?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I have announced ambitious proposals for broadcasting reform, including the equalisation of regulation of video on demand services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, prominence for public service broadcasters, and potential change in ownership of Channel 4 to secure its long-term success.

Answered
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Q2 Jamie Wallis
Wales
Context

The issue arose after the Presiding Officer of the Senedd banned Conservative Members from displaying the Union flag, and the First Minister described it as “vacuous symbolism.”

Question

I want to draw my right hon. Friend's attention to the issue of displaying the Union flag in the Welsh Parliament. Does my right hon. Friend agree that people across Wales are proud to display the Union Jack because of their pride in what the UK stands for? What actions will be taken?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I share my hon. Friend's pride in the Union flag, because it unites us as a nation and a people. The Union flag is the national flag of the United Kingdom, embodying the emblems of three countries united under one sovereign: the kingdoms of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions regarding display of the Union flag were not addressed

How: Out Of Touch With The People

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Q3 Jo Stevens Lab Cardiff East
Economy Democracy & Elections
Context

The Minister for Digital and Culture previously stated that the decision on Government-backed insurance for live events is with the Treasury.

Question

I remind the Secretary of State of the election results in Wales. Can the Government underwrite time-limited insurance for live events? The industry needs a straight yes or no, please.

Answer from Oliver Dowden

I understand the industry's desire for insurance. We are making good progress towards 19 July. If there is a market failure, we will look at extending insurance with some sort of Government-backed scheme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on underwriting time-limited insurance was not provided

How: Extending Insurance If Commercial Providers Cannot Insure

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Q4 Jo Stevens Lab Cardiff East
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Festivals continue to be cancelled due to lack of guidance on sector reopening.

Question

The Secretary of State will not confirm insurance now and he will not publish guidance. How can festivals and live events scheduled for after 19 July go ahead?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

We are making very good progress towards full reopening from 19 July. Festivals have benefited from millions of pounds of wider support through the culture recovery fund, and one of our events research programme pilots is in relation to a festival.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific guidance for festivals post-19 July not provided

How: Progress Towards Full Reopening, Culture Recovery Fund

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Q5 Andrew Percy Con
Transport Environment
Context

There is a need for improvements in mobile phone coverage across these regions.

Question

May I ask the Secretary of State how the shared rural network will finally get us the improvements in mobile phone coverage we desperately need in north Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire?

Answer from Matt Warman

The shared rural network will eliminate partial notspots across huge swathes of the country, particularly in Yorkshire and the Humber; it will take the region from 95% to 99% coverage from at least one operator, and from 81% to 90% coverage from all four operators.

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Q6 Julie Elliott Lab
Culture, Media & Sport Business & Trade
Context

The Government has free trade deals with many countries, each having different rules making it hard for the industry to tour across Europe.

Question

When are the Government going to sort out this situation and get a deal allowing our artists, musicians, truckers and support staff to tour across Europe properly?

Answer from Caroline Dinenage

We are aware of the importance of UK's creative and cultural industries. Through our engagement with member states, we have established that at least 17 of the 27 allow visa and permit-free touring, including France, Germany, and Italy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or deal for touring across Europe not provided

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Q7 Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

None specified, the question is about a local charity event.

Question

I am joining the Maccabi 24-hour football challenge in Prestwich. Will the Minister join me in wishing everyone the best of luck and crossing his fingers for the best weather?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

I cannot promise the weather but I wish all those participating in the Maccabi 24-hour football challenge the very best of luck. The FA will be matching some of the money raised, providing a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to raise money for their club.

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Q8 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Nightclubs are closed and facing financial difficulties. They have no income but must start paying towards furlough payments.

Question

Does the Secretary of State think it is fair on nightclubs that they cannot open today, do not know under what rules they will reopen, have no income, and still rack up debts while having to pay for furlough?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

Nightclubs fall within the responsibility of BEIS. We are making progress towards reopening them by 19 July, and many existing schemes will continue to pay out for coming weeks and months, including the culture recovery fund until end of this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The fairness question was not directly addressed; only future plans were mentioned without acknowledging current difficulties.

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Q9 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Children & Families Local Government
Context

Hillingdon Council has invested in youth facilities. The question is about the plans for using funds from the Youth Investment Fund.

Question

Many constituents have benefited from Hillingdon Council's investment in youth facilities. Will my hon. Friend provide an update on Department plans for the use of Youth Investment Fund money?

Answer from Matt Warman

The Youth Investment Fund aims to level up access to youth provision over this Parliament. £30 million has been committed as capital funding in 2021-22, providing investment in new and refurbished safe spaces for young people. Details of the bidding process for future rounds will be announced.

Answered
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