Topical Questions

Answer from Lisa Nandy

We are not satisfied as a Government with the response that we have received, and I will discuss that further with Channel 4 in the coming week.

Answer from Lisa Nandy

The Government are committed to ensuring that the BBC is set up on a sustainable basis for the future through the charter review, so that it can thrive for many years to come. But the BBC, he is right to say, is not the only public service broadcaster in this country. We have public service broadcasting that is the envy of the world, and the Government are determined to do everything we can to support and safeguard it, including by challenging where necessary—as we have with the response to “Married at First Sight” by Channel 4—when we believe that those standards are not being upheld.

Answer from Lisa Nandy

One thing I learned at school was that the answer to a multiple choice question is usually option (c). The hon. Member missed option (c) out, because the real answer to “Who is to blame for the situation this country is in?” is him and his colleagues, because of the appalling mess they made over 14 years of Conservative government. They cut our armed forces to a size that has not been seen for generations, they refused to treat our veterans with respect, they crashed the economy and they left working-class people in every nation and region paying a very heavy price.

Answer from Stephanie Peacock

The Government are investing £3 million in all-weather domes. I visited the England and Wales Cricket Board schools programme at Worsbrough in my constituency, which is increasing attendance at cricket in state schools.

Answer from Ian Murray

As the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology laid out to the House on 18 March, we are taking forward four big strategic priorities—digital replicas, AI labelling, creative control and licensing—to get this right. No country in the world has been able to resolve this problem, but the UK is uniquely placed to try to resolve it. We want to work across the House and with both the tech and creative industries to get it right.

Answer from Lisa Nandy

We are working very closely with the Department for Education to ensure that the national centre is launched in September, and we will update my hon. Friend and the House very shortly on the progress that we are making.

Answer from Stephanie Peacock

The Government are fully committed to working with the sports sector to support our vital grassroots clubs. We work closely with Sports England, an arm's length body, to engage with grassroots sports across the country and ensure that all sports are seen, heard and supported.

Answer from Lisa Nandy

Through the national youth strategy, we have announced a significant uplift in funding for young people to ensure that we build the next generation of youth clubs and grassroots sports facilities, rebuild youth work and ensure that every young person has those opportunities.

Answer from Lisa Nandy

I agree with the hon. Member about the importance of radio and regional news. Recently, the outgoing director general of the BBC told me that regional news now has greater reach than national news. That includes local radio as well, and we will ensure that it becomes a priority through the charter review.

Answer from Ian Murray

Local museums are hugely important, and decisions on the operation of cultural organisations are taken locally through Arts Council England. The national development agency for museums may be able to offer some advice.

Answer from Ian Murray

The music plan is part of a whole package to ensure that music thrives in this country, including the £30 million music growth fund. We also have the ticket levy—a £1 voluntary ticket levy on every single ticket sold for major concerts—which puts money straight into grassroots music.

Answer from Lisa Nandy

Through the town of culture, we hope that many towns across the country can up their cultural offer and take wings and soar. We have discussed the great, vibrant, diverse cultural offer and contribution that her community has to make, including as the home of Concorde.

Answer from Lisa Nandy

We have ruled out a levy on streamers and also ruled out direct taxation going to fund the BBC because of the need for the BBC to retain its independence. But I look forward to debating this issue with the hon. Member and for the whole House to come together.