Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Thursday 16 October 2025 · 7 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Grahame Morris raised concerns about the threat of job losses in the journalism industry due to Reach plc's announcement, which could affect media integrity.
  • Liz Twist inquired about measures to protect listed buildings, following a fire at a grade II listed structure in her constituency, and the government highlighted local authority powers and support.
  • Ben Maguire asked about support for smaller museums in his constituency, and the Minister announced additional funding through the Museum Renewal Fund for museums across the country.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Grahame Morris Lab Easington
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Reach plc, owner of several major newspapers including the Mirror, Daily Record, and Express, announced plans to cut up to 600 jobs. This raises concerns about the erosion of professional journalism in the UK.

Question

Despite previous reassurances from Reach plc, it has now announced redundancies that put 600 journalists' jobs under threat. Many Members are concerned about the continued erosion of our media landscape and the loss of experienced professionals, which could drive people towards fake news and misinformation on social media. Will the Minister meet the National Union of Journalists and concerned MPs from the all-party group to discuss this pressing issue?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Lisa Nandy)

I thank my hon. Friend for his work in supporting not just local journalism but local journalists. They are an essential part of our democracy, and it was not lost on me that local newspapers helped to counter the misinformation and disinformation spreading online during the disorder last summer. It is why we are developing a local media strategy, working with many of the organisations he mentioned, and I would be delighted to meet him, other Members of Parliament and the NUJ to discuss this further.

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Q2 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Culture, Media & Sport Environment
Context

A grade II listed building, Shotley Park, was destroyed in a fire. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause.

Question

Communities in my constituency have been devastated by the destruction of Shotley Park, a grade II listed building, in a recent fire. I understand that an investigation is going on into the circumstances. Can the Minister say in more general terms what steps we can take to protect our listed buildings and the memories they represent for local people?

Answer from The Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts (Ian Murray)

There is no specific duty on owners to keep their buildings in a good state of repair, but local authorities have powers under legislation to take action where a listed building may be at risk through urgent works notices and repairs notices. The Government also support local authorities by providing funding for conservation projects, and they are consulting on reforms to make it easier for homeowners to protect their historic properties while preserving their unique character.

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Q3 Ben Maguire Lib Dem North Cornwall
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Bodmin, a town in Ben Maguire's constituency, is facing economic and social challenges as several small museums seek to survive due to the impending end of the shared prosperity fund.

Question

The town of Bodmin in my constituency is fast becoming the museum capital of Cornwall. It has the excellent Discovering42 science museum, Bodmin Town museum, and the Army museum at Bodmin Keep, which is crowdfunding to stay open. What is the Minister doing to support those brilliant smaller museums that have such huge economic, social and educational value?

Answer from Ian Murray

This Government applaud and support the role that museums play in educating and inspiring audiences across every part of the country. Last week, we announced that 75 museum groups around the country will benefit from an additional £20 million of funding as part of the Museum Renewal Fund, delivered by Arts Council England. Together with our new £25 million investment in regional museums via the aptly named Museum Estate and Development Fund to be announced in the new year, that represents a considerable show of support for local museums across the country.

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Q4 Andrew Pakes Labour (Co-op) Peterborough
Context

The MP mentioned the launch of a new tourism initiative for Peterborough that aims to promote local attractions such as the cathedral, museum, Nene Park, and Flag Fen.

Question

Today is the launch of Peterborough tourist board and our new Discover Peterborough website. This brings together great attractions like the 900-year-old cathedral and the museum, along with outdoor spaces such as Nene park and Flag Fen. Will the Minister join me in welcoming the formation of Discover Peterborough, and say what more she can do to support the visitor economy and great attractions in places such as mine?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Stephanie Peacock)

I am delighted to take on the responsibility of being Minister for Tourism. Over the past month, it has been a pleasure to make a number of visits and to take part in meetings highlighting just how much the sector has to offer. We want the benefits of tourism to be felt across every nation and region, and a key strand of that work will be increasing the number of visitors who are aware of the offer outside London. I welcome the work that my hon. Friend is doing to promote Peterborough and I look forward to a visit with him.

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Q5 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP noted that Garsington Opera offers training opportunities for young people interested in careers in the arts. The MP wants to ensure these opportunities remain available.

Question

T4. In a stunning setting with superb facilities, Garsington Opera in Stokenchurch provides incredible training opportunities for young people who want a career in the arts. Does the Minister agree that this is a vital facility, and what more will she do to ensure that all young people who want a career in the arts have those training opportunities?

Answer from Ian Murray

I can assure the hon. Gentleman that the DCMS ministerial team and the entire Government are fully committed to ensuring that there is full access to training and skills in the arts. I would be happy to meet him to discuss that project, but if any young person in any part of this land wants to get into the arts, this Government are for them.

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Q6 Jon Trickett Lab Normanton and Hemsworth
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP mentions a dispute at the National Coal Mining Museum for England in Wakefield. The MP asks if the Minister can express pride in the museum's heritage and offer assistance to resolve the dispute.

Question

I understand from a number of people who work at the National Coal Mining Museum for England in Wakefield that unfortunately there is an intractable dispute there. My constituents have asked me to put two questions to the Minister. First, will she say how proud we are as a country that we have a national museum of coalmining to celebrate the history of the mines? Secondly, if necessary, will she seek to secure an agreement between the disagreeing parties at the museum?

Answer from Lisa Nandy

As the very proud Member of Parliament for Wigan, which is the greatest coalmining community on earth—[Interruption.] I can hear that I have lost the good will of the House. I am happy to pay tribute to the work of the National Coal Mining Museum for England and to the fact that we keep alive our heritage and the history of the contribution that working-class people have made to this country. I am delighted that I will have more to say about that later today. The Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my hon. Friend the Member for Barnsley South (Stephanie Peacock), has visited the museum, and I am keen to work with him to ensure that we get the matter resolved as soon as possible.

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Q7 Sarah Olney Lib Dem Richmond Park
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP discusses the issue of gambling addictions, particularly exacerbated by online betting. The MP seeks a double gambling tax to raise funds and discourage harmful behavior.

Question

People across the UK are suffering in silence with gambling addictions. The proliferation of online betting has only added to the issue, as people are able to wager more money than they can afford with just a click on their phone screen. Will the Minister speak to her colleague the Chancellor in advance of the upcoming Budget to support the Liberal Democrats’ call for a double gambling tax, which would not only raise millions of pounds but disincentivise harmful gambling?

Answer from Lisa Nandy

This Government have wasted no time in taking action to increase the amount of support available to the minority of people for whom gambling becomes a problem. As I said to the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (Mr French), gambling brings joy to millions of people and it is an incredibly important part of the UK economy, but we are determined to ensure that support is there for that minority of people. That is why we wasted no time in introducing a levy that is helping to boost such support, particularly for young people. We are happy to continue the conversation with Members from across the House to ensure that we tackle this important issue, but on the specific proposal that the hon. Lady makes, we have no plans to introduce such a measure.

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