Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 24 March 2022 · 13 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 11 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial efforts have included sanctions against Roman Abramovich and additional funding for BBC World Service broadcasting into Ukraine and Russia.
  • The Government is working with the Department for Transport and the FA to address train issues affecting football matches, emphasizing the importance of the fan-led review.
  • The Secretary of State is considering a Joint Committee for post-legislative scrutiny and a voluntary gambling contribution's effectiveness, engaging with healthcare professionals on the matter.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Felicity Buchan
Ukraine Foreign Affairs Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP asks about the government's response to Russia's actions in Ukraine, including cultural and sporting measures.

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The government has led efforts to isolate Russia culturally and sportively, including sanctions against Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich, affecting local residents who support the club. Can my right hon. Friend update the House on the sale process for Chelsea? What the fans and community seek is certainty.

Answer from Nadine Dorries

We have led efforts against Russian dictator Putin, including sanctions against Roman Abramovich. The Government provided additional £4.1 million funding to BBC World Service for broadcasting into Ukraine and Russia. Anyone interested in buying Chelsea should go straight to the club.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific information on the sale process or certainty for fans and community.

How: Anyone Interested In Buying Chelsea Should Go Straight To The Club.

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Q2 Felicity Buchan
Transport Culture, Media & Sport
Context

A FA Cup semi-final match between Manchester City and Liverpool will be held at Wembley Stadium, where there are no trains running from the north-west to London. This raises concerns about accessibility for fans.

Question

Is it not wrong to hold a match between two North-West teams at Wembley when there are no trains running? What influence will the Government use to get the FA to sort this problem out, ideally by moving the semi-final? Is this further evidence we need the voice of fans in football decision-making?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

We are working with the Department for Transport trying to ameliorate that situation. We also discuss it with the FA. It is important we get the fan-led review in place.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to moving the semi-final or providing certainty on trains running.

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Q3 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Southend West is considering a bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2029.

Question

Will the Department consider having a dedicated city of culture team to guide and support applicants through the process for the next cycle?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

We pay tribute to Sir David Amess's work championing Southend. We thank my hon Friend who is keen to support the bid. We want the application process to be open, and we will provide help.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to a dedicated city of culture team specifically for guidance and support.

How: We Want The Application Process To Be As Open As Possible.

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Q4 Anna Firth
Crime & Law Enforcement Children & Families
Context

The Online Safety Bill was published last week, but it does not include provisions to protect children with epilepsy from cruel online images.

Question

How many children would this measure save, and why was it not included in the Bill?

Answer from Chris Philp

The epilepsy measures are being considered. Clause 150 will capture epilepsy trolling because it is engaged where a communication is sent with the intention of causing serious distress.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific numbers on how many children would be saved by Zach's Law inclusion.

How: The New Communications Offence In Clause 150 Will Capture Epilepsy Trolling.

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Q5 John Nicolson SNP
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

There is no collective agreement on the introduction of a Joint Committee to monitor online harms regulation.

Question

Given paragraph 104 rules out such a committee, what is the Secretary of State's actual position?

Answer from Nadine Dorries

We ruled out wider legislation in statute but consider a Joint Committee to undertake post-legislative scrutiny. This is under consideration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide clarity on the Secretary of State's actual position beyond saying it is under consideration.

How: This Is A Groundbreaking Bill And There Cannot Be Too Much Ongoing Scrutiny.

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Q6 Julian Knight Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The gambling industry makes voluntary contributions to address gambling-related harm, but the effectiveness is under review.

Question

With the gambling review imminent, how do we know whether the current voluntary contribution is effective?

Answer from Chris Philp

We are conscious of the debate on the voluntary levy's effectiveness. I have met with clinicians such as Dr Matt Gaskell from Leeds gambling centre, and it is under active consideration.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on the effectiveness or impact of the current voluntary contribution.

How: It Is Under Active Consideration.

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Q7 Philip Hollobone Con
Transport Science & Technology
Context

The question follows up on an earlier query about broadband infrastructure and seeks to understand which organisations are responsible for further improvements. It highlights the importance of gigabit-capable broadband.

Question

This would have been my follow-up to Question 10. Which organisations need to do what to improve further the roll-out of gigabit-capable broadband?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I am delighted to report that 88% of premises in my hon. Friend's constituency can access gigabit-capable broadband, which is above the national average. Across the UK, it is two thirds. We are on track to deliver more, and we will begin procurement in 2023 to mop up the bits of his constituency that are not covered by the commercial roll-out.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify which organisations are responsible for further improvements beyond commercial roll-outs.

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Q8 Tony Lloyd Lab
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The question addresses a specific challenge faced by the police: difficulty in identifying perpetrators of certain crimes. It references the Investigatory Powers Act and seeks clarity on how this issue will be addressed.

Question

The enhanced communications offences are welcomed on both sides of the House, but does the Minister recognise that one problem the police encounter is that they cannot always identify the perpetrators? How will that be addressed?

Answer from Chris Philp

The hon. Gentleman raises a good question. Matters concerning identifying potential suspects are, generally speaking, dealt with under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, which I know the Home Office is considering taking a look at. He is right to say that it is important for the police to be able to identify perpetrators where allegations are made, and the Government, particularly the Home Office and the Security Minister, are looking into that question carefully.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or timeline on how difficulties in identifying suspects will be addressed under the Act.

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Q9 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question discusses the need for joint grant funding streams across various sports to create multi-purpose community facilities. It highlights a specific site in the constituency with multiple activities.

Question

On Saturday, on a visit to Northwood football club in my constituency, Ian Barry and the directors showed me a site where there is bowls, football, cricket, tennis and a number of other activities. What opportunities does the Minister see to join up the grant funding streams across different sports so that we can create enhanced, multi-sport facilities at community level?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

That is a very important point. Through the Football Foundation in particular, we work closely with local authorities and clubs to help them work collaboratively. That includes working with multiple clubs to share facilities, because that makes sense. We are also investing £205 million to build or transform up to 8,000 multi-use sports facilities and £21 million to refurbish park tennis courts.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q10 Virendra Sharma Lab
Taxation Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question criticises an increase in VAT on live music tickets proposed by the Chancellor, arguing it will harm the live music sector. It seeks specific measures to mitigate this impact.

Question

The Secretary of State's colleague the Chancellor is intending to increase VAT on live music tickets by 7.5 percentage points, which is 50% extra. What steps is she taking to promote live music and save it from this Government's crippling tax rises?

Answer from Julia Lopez

As I said, I will be meeting UK Music and I am happy to discuss this matter with it. We have provided a huge amount of support to the live music industry throughout the pandemic, including a really successful reinsurance scheme, but I am happy to take the hon. Gentleman's points away.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or timeline on mitigating tax impacts on live music.

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Q11 Andrew Jones Con
Economy
Context

The question focuses on the issue of fake advertisements exploiting high-profile figures online, particularly in relation to financial advice. It seeks to compel platforms to verify such ads.

Question

People are turning to the internet for advice on the cost of living, and we are also seeing how fake ads claiming to be from people such as Martin Lewis are used by fraudsters. So will the Secretary of State look at compelling online platforms to verify advertisements that exploit the trust and expertise that high-profile people have built?

Answer from Chris Philp

I am delighted to report to my hon. Friend that the measures he is calling for are in the Online Safety Bill, which was introduced to Parliament just last Thursday. I believe it will have its Second Reading shortly after the Easter recess, and I look forward to debating those matters with him then, but they are in the Bill.

Answered

Not addressed: null

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Q12 Chris Matheson Lab
Business & Trade
Context

The question relates to a previous promise by the Prime Minister to reduce barriers for UK music touring in Europe. It seeks updates on actions taken or planned.

Question

I refer to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests. It is one year since the Prime Minister told the Liaison Committee that he wanted to fix the barriers stopping music tours of Europe. What are the Government going to do to make that promise come true?

Answer from Julia Lopez

I have addressed this in a number of ways earlier today. As I say, I am meeting UK Music. We have done a number of things with Departments and with counterparts in other countries to reduce the barriers for touring musicians, and we will continue to carry out that work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific actions or timeline on reducing barriers for music tours in Europe.

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Q13 Pauline Latham Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question addresses the potential negative impacts of a football club entering administration and seeks confirmation on when full recommendations from a fan-led review will be implemented to prevent such situations.

Question

Thank you, Mr Speaker. Last month, I took the Minister to see Belper Town football club, which is a true grassroots football club. However, Derby County is in danger, and this could have a huge knock-on effect on grassroots football in the region. Please will he confirm when the full recommendations from the fan-led review of football governance, which could have helped Derby County avoid administration and all the pains of the past six months, will be brought into force?

Answer from Nigel Huddleston

It was a pleasure to visit Belper Town football club. My hon. Friend is making valid points, and she knows that I have met the English Football League and the administrators about the situation at Derby County. We will be bringing more information forward about the response to the fan-led review very shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline for implementing full recommendations from the fan-led review.

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