Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 16 November 2023 · 10 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 8 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gavin Newlands asked about broadcasting rights for Scottish teams, highlighting the balance between audience numbers and commercial revenues for sports.
  • Lisa Cameron inquired about the AI summit's follow-up, specifically regarding safeguards and job opportunities in the media industry.
  • Kevin Foster requested a meeting to discuss funding support for Swim Torquay, a vital community swimming pool facility.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gavin Newlands SNP
Scotland Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Scotland is one of only seven UEFA countries where national team matches are not available on free-to-air television.

Question

Tonight, Scotland will play what amounts to a dead rubber because we have qualified for the Euros with two games to spare. It is an unusual feeling for us and we do not know quite what to do. Generations of young Scottish football fans, unlike their English and Welsh counterparts, are unable to see their national football team on free-to-air television. Scotland is one of only seven out of 55 UEFA countries where the national team is hidden behind a paywall. In these times when families are really struggling, does the Secretary of State think that is fair in principle?

Answer from Lucy Frazer (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport)

I did not catch all of the hon. Gentleman's question, but I think he asked about broadcasting rights and Scottish teams. He needs to understand, because he raises this question from time to time, that there is a balance between audience numbers and commercial revenues for sport. As he knows, sport is devolved to the Scottish Government—

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked if it was fair for Scottish football matches not being available on free-to-air TV; instead of addressing fairness, the answer discusses the balance between audience numbers and commercial revenues.

How: Devolved Issue

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Q2 Lisa Cameron SNP
Culture, Media & Sport Science & Technology
Context

The artificial intelligence summit was successful.

Question

Following the successful artificial intelligence summit, can my right hon. Friend update us on his conversations with the media industry to make sure that safeguards are in place while we also reap important jobs for the future?

Answer from John Whittingdale (Minister of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

Rapid development of AI poses major questions for many industries, including our vital press sector. We are hosting roundtables with broadcasters and news publishers to discuss the risks and opportunities of AI to journalism, and we intend to continue the conversation with the sector over the coming months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for an update on conversations regarding safeguards; the answer mentions discussions but does not provide specific updates or commitments.

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Q3 Ben Bradshaw Lab
Immigration Brexit Business & Trade
Context

EU student groups visiting the UK have fallen by 83% due to post-Brexit passport and visa requirements.

Question

UK- inbound tourism has lost the equivalent of 15,000 jobs following the 83% fall in EU student groups visiting our country because of post-Brexit passport and visa requirements. I was heartened to read in the about the proposed deal that the Prime Minister wants to strike with France following his summit with President Macron. Are any other deals like that in the pipeline?

Answer from Lucy Frazer (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport)

That is an excellent deal. Of course, we would like to replicate it if that is possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about similar deals; the answer acknowledges the deal but does not provide any specifics or timeline for replication.

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Q4 Kevin Foster Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Swim Torquay missed out on funding from the Government's swimming pool support fund.

Question

Swim Torquay provides a vital community facility in Plainmoor, yet it missed out on funding from the Government's swimming pool support fund. Will the Minister agree to a meeting to discuss how it can still be supported to meet the essential costs that it faces?

Answer from Stuart Andrew (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sport, Heritage and Tourism)

It is precisely because we recognise how important swimming pools are that we have this fund. We have allocated £140,000 to the Riviera International Centre in my hon. Friend's constituency, and I know that the local council is seeking funding from phase 2. I will happily arrange a meeting with colleagues and Sport England.

Answered
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Q5 Nadia Whittome Lab Nottingham East
Children & Families
Context

A YMCA report found that £1.1 billion had been cut from youth services since 2010-11, a real-term cut of 74%. The Government's national youth guarantee provides some funding but not enough to reverse cuts.

Question

A YMCA report last year found that £1.1 billion had been cut from youth services since 2010-11—a real-terms cut of 74%. While the Government's national youth guarantee does provide a funding injection for youth services, it is nowhere near enough to reverse those cuts, and the funding is predominantly for capital investments. Will the Secretary of State commit to providing youth services with the sustainable revenue funding that they desperately need?

Answer from Lucy Frazer (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport)

I invite the hon. Member to read a speech I gave on youth, which is a massive priority of mine. We are funding significantly through DCMS and through the National Citizen Service as well as through a number of Departments. There are Home Office funds, Justice funds, and funds through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for commitment to sustainable revenue funding; the answer discusses various funding streams but does not commit specifically to providing additional revenue funding.

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Q6 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Concerns exist about the governance of premiership rugby.

Question

For me, as a massive Bath rugby fan, it is difficult to represent a seat in Leicestershire, what with the Tigers being there. With that said, the nice thing that brings all rugby fans together is the ability to watch the game. There is concern, though, about the governance of premiership rugby and how it is run. Could the Minister update us on where we are up to on that? I know that he has taken a special interest in trying to get that organised.

Answer from Stuart Andrew (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Sport, Heritage and Tourism)

I know that my hon. Friend has taken a keen interest in this, and he is absolutely right that we need to see improved governance. That is why we appointed two special advisers, who have been working with both the premier league and the Rugby Football Union to come up with solutions. We are having meetings with them constantly and will ensure that they progress.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked for an update on governance; the answer discusses the work being done but does not provide a specific update or timeline.

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Q7 Stuart McDonald SNP
Brexit
Context

The EU's Digital Services Act provides increased transparency in how big tech companies target citizens with advertisements.

Question

Citizens across the EU now benefit from increased transparency in how big tech companies target them with adverts and propaganda thanks to the Digital Services Act. Of course, we have missed out because of Brexit. What will the Government do to provide increased transparency and tackle bad-faith actors using big tech to target our citizens?

Answer from John Whittingdale (Minister of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

The online advertising taskforce has come forward with a number of measures, and we are looking both to legislate in this area in due course and to introduce non-statutory measures. We are committed to protecting vulnerable people from inappropriate advertising, and to tackling fraudulent advertising.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked what the Government will do; the answer discusses measures but does not provide specific legislative plans or timelines.

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Q8 Tracey Crouch Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The inclusion of new sports in the Los Angeles Olympics could provide more medal opportunities but requires funding security before Paris Olympics next year.

Question

To ensure success, funding for the 2028 Olympics needs to be secured before Paris next year. What discussions is the Minister having with the lottery provider and the Treasury to secure UK sport funding?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

The UK sports investment process for Los Angeles is under way. I welcome the fact that there are new sports including flag football and UK Sport will consider funding for all new sports.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions with lottery provider and Treasury were not addressed, only general statement on funding process.

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Q9 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Economy Taxation Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The community news project introduced in 2018 was welcomed but Meta has now withdrawn its support, threatening local newspapers.

Question

When the community news project was introduced, it was widely welcomed. However, with tech giant Meta withdrawing funding, will the Minister join me and others in urging them to reconsider?

Answer from John Whittingdale

I met representatives of Meta earlier this week, making clear our disappointment at the withdrawal of the community news project. We are looking to ensure proper compensation for newspapers through measures in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly commit to joining efforts or urging Meta to reconsider.

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Q10 Wendy Morton Con Aldridge-Brownhills
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Mayor Andy Street has secured a £9 million Commonwealth games legacy fund for grassroots projects in communities, presenting an opportunity to promote physical and mental activities.

Question

Delighted by the £9 million legacy fund from the Commonwealth games for grassroots projects, does my right hon. Friend agree that this is a fantastic opportunity for organisations in constituencies across the west midlands to bid for funds?

Answer from Stuart Andrew

My right hon. Friend is correct; it is wonderful to see the legacy from the Commonwealth games. I join her in encouraging people to reach out and apply, coupled with significant investment into grassroots sports.

Answered
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