Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Service Broadcasting

Thursday 10 February 2022 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jamie Stone asked about steps to strengthen public service broadcasting, to which the Minister responded with a commitment to a strategic review.
  • Jamie Stone thanked the Minister for a meeting regarding social tariffs and expressed concern about the future ownership of Channel 4.
  • Robert Largan inquired about improving digital radio access for rural communities, receiving acknowledgment of the Hope valley's needs and ongoing work on the issue.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question arises from the need to ensure the PSB system continues to thrive amid changes in the broadcast sector.

Question

What steps is she taking to strengthen and promote public service broadcasting?

Answer from Julia Lopez

Our public service broadcasting system is a critical part of our media landscape. We are committed to making sure that it continues to thrive in the face of a rapidly changing broadcast sector. That is why we are undertaking a strategic review looking at making sure that the PSB system delivers for audiences and supports the success of our incredible creative sector.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to strengthen and promote PSB were not detailed beyond commitment statements.

How: Under Review

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

A meeting with the Minister addressed social tariffs. Concerns about small local producers if Channel 4 is privatised.

Question

I want to put on the record my thanks for a useful meeting with the Minister this week about social tariffs for mobile devices. Channel 4 is close to my heart, as it is to those of many hon. Members. Will she assure me that any future owner of Channel 4 will be as committed to using small, local producers and providers as Channel 4 is at present? Have the Government carried out a risk assessment on what privatising Channel 4 might mean for small, local, important British producers?

Answer from Julia Lopez

It was a pleasure to meet the hon. Member this week to discuss the important issue of social tariffs as well as Union connectivity, which I know he feels passionately about. Channel 4 is valued by all of us. There is a debate to be had, however, about the best ownership structure for it. The Government believe that one of the strengths that any future buyer might see in Channel 4 is its links with independent producers—small independent producers in particular—and, were we to decide to sell it, we would very much want to see that protected.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific risk assessment or commitment beyond general statements was not provided.

How: A Debate To Be Had

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Robert Largan
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

A Government review found poor DAB service in the Hope valley constituency.

Question

An important part of public broadcasting is radio. Last October, the Government's review into digital, audio and radio found that the Hope valley in my constituency has very poor DAB—digital audio broadcasting—service. What are the Government doing to improve digital radio access for rural communities such as the Hope valley?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I thank my hon. Friend for raising the needs of the Hope valley, which he is right to do. We have conducted a review of this area, and we have been working with commercial radio and the BBC on this issue for a number of years. We do not expect them to be doing a great deal of extra work on DAB roll-out, but I am happy to continue looking into the matter and to consider the issues he highlights in his own patch.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions or commitments beyond continued review were not detailed.

How: Working For A Number Of Years, Happy To Continue Looking

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)