Topical Questions 2026-09-03
2026-09-03
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Adam Thompson asked about the Secretary of State's responsibilities and her view on the shift to digital distribution in the gaming industry.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick recently said that its business is now well over 90% digitally distributed. Take-Two has confirmed that the physical box of “Grand Theft Auto VI” will not contain a physical disc, but will instead contain a download code. Killing physical media prevents consumers trading in or sharing their games, and it erodes the concept of true ownership of a product. What is the Secretary of State doing to support the physical ownership of video games, as well as music and film?
The Minister of State, Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Edinburgh South (Ian Murray) has just reminded me that he and I are so old that we started out loading cassette tapes when we played video games as kids. I am aware that people feel very strongly about this issue. My hon. Friend will know that decisions around media formats are ultimately for companies, but we as a Government believe that companies should always be clear with customers about what they are paying for. That is why we have commissioned the Chartered Trading Standards Institute to develop guidance that will clarify people's ownership rights when they purchase digital games, music and films.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific actions to support physical ownership but mentioned the development of guidance.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Rebecca Paul highlighted the deaths of two police officers in a tragic collision and the concerns about videos on TikTok and other platforms that glorify dangerous driving and police chases.
I thank the Secretary of State for her warm words. I am looking forward to working constructively with her and her team. May I begin by paying tribute to PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough, who were killed in a horrific head-on collision on the A66 last month? The car that collided with them was travelling in the wrong direction. My thoughts are with their families and friends at this terrible, terrible time. Their deaths have renewed concern about videos on TikTok and other platforms that glorify dangerous driving and police chases. The behaviour these videos encourage can have fatal consequences. We know the Government recently raised this issue with social media companies, yet the content remains up. What more will the Minister and the Secretary of State do to ensure that TikTok and other platforms crack down on that before more lives are lost?
The hon. Lady is absolutely right, first of all, to pay tribute to those incredible police officers who lost their lives. May I associate myself with her remarks and put on record my sadness, love and sympathy to their families and loved ones? I agree with her that there is more that must be done to tackle what is becoming an epidemic in young people in particular using social media to encourage dangerous behaviour. I have a meeting set up with TikTok in the coming days. We have obviously been in close discussion with it and other social media companies since that tragic, appalling incident, but there is more that we as a Government intend to do and I would be very happy to meet her to discuss that further.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific actions but acknowledged the issue and commitment to further discussions.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Callum Anderson discussed the rapid growth and cultural attractions of Milton Keynes and its candidacy for the UK city of culture.
Nearly 60 years ago, a Labour Government designated Milton Keynes a new town. Today, we are one of the fastest growing cities in the United Kingdom. Millions are also drawn to attractions such as Bletchley Park, the MK Gallery and our international festival. I cannot think of a better candidate to be the UK city of culture. Does the Minister agree with me that culture and economic growth go hand in hand? Will she meet me and my Milton Keynes colleagues to discuss the merits of our bid?
My hon. Friend is a great champion for his city. It was a pleasure to do a sporting visit to his constituency earlier this year. We have a really strong shortlist for the city of culture—and indeed for the town of culture. I look forward to visiting those on the final shortlist in the near future.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not confirm the minister's agreement or commit to a meeting.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Olly Glover mentioned the partnership between Challow and Childrey cricket club and King Alfred's Academy in his constituency to provide cricket opportunities to students.
In my Oxfordshire constituency, Challow and Childrey cricket club's partnership with local state school King Alfred's Academy is providing cricket opportunities to students who may not otherwise have access to the sport. However, affordability and perceptions of cricket mean that a participation gap remains between state-funded schools and independent schools. What further steps can the Government take to improve opportunities to participate in sport?
Cricket is incredibly popular, and I know how important it is in my own constituency—I visited Worsbrough to see the England and Wales Cricket Board's schools programme in action. Programmes like that are incredibly important for getting people, and in particular young people, involved and active in sport.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide specific steps but highlighted the importance of programmes.
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
▸
Context
Discussions on GB News compared Pride and LGBT people to bestiality and paedophilia, resulting in 12,000 complaints to Ofcom. These comments stirred significant public concern about hate speech on television.
This summer, 1.5 million people attended London Pride, celebrating love, freedom and diversity. At the same time, though, discussions on GB News compared Pride and LGBT people to bestiality and even paedophilia. There have now been 12,000 complaints to Ofcom about this. Does the Minister agree that these sorts of comments have no place on an apparent news channel? Will she assure me and those who have complained that Ofcom will be effective in challenging hate speech on television?
I thank my hon. Friend for bringing this incredibly serious question to DCMS questions this morning. There is no place for homophobia or prejudice in our society, and the media has a duty to uphold the highest standards, not polarise or divide. I understand that Ofcom is investigating whether the programme has breached broadcasting code standards, and I expect it to do so without fear or favour.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Football fans are facing high costs to follow their club in the premier league, with some paying nearly £700. The issue of access to sports on free-to-air channels is becoming increasingly important.
As we saw during the world cup, football is fundamental to our national identity. Football fans are having to pay almost £700 to follow their club in this season's premier league, so does the Secretary of State agree that we need to have more free-to-air sport, not less?
The hon. Member will know from previous discussions we have had in this place that there is a balance to be struck between making sure we get the right level of investment in sport and making sure those sports are opened up to the widest possible audience. That is a conversation that we continue to have. There is another element to this, which is the cost of tickets, and this Government are taking action on secondary ticket touts, which I know the hon. Member's party strongly supports. Later today, we will have the pleasure of introducing the Sporting Events Bill to this place. Through that Bill, we are taking action to make sure ticket prices remain affordable and that those practices are stamped out when it comes to sporting events.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Does not explicitly agree or disagree on the need for more free-to-air sports
We Are Taking Action On Secondary Ticket Touts
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
UEFA is proposing to make a criminal complaint about the conduct of FIFA's leadership regarding the world cup, raising concerns about the integrity of the decision-making process within FIFA.
Football is not the private property of Gianni Infantino or a handful of rich and powerful men; it belongs to the billions of people who watch it, play it and enjoy it. Given that UEFA is proposing to make a criminal complaint about the conduct of FIFA's leadership, will the Minister join me and others in calling for a genuinely independent investigation into FIFA's decision to try to sell off the world cup?
I absolutely, 100% agree with my hon. Friend that football belongs to its fans. For far too long, fans have been treated as at best an afterthought and at worst a nuisance when it comes to the future of their own clubs, their own tournaments and their own game. As a Government, we are appalled by what happened recently regarding the world cup, and the Prime Minister has been crystal clear that it is time for a change of leadership at FIFA.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Does not explicitly commit to joining in calling for an independent investigation
We Are Appalled By What Happened Regarding The World Cup
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
▸
Context
An increasing number of charities are facing serious allegations of extremism and even funding terrorism. Despite investigations by the Charity Commission, most of these charities continue to operate, such as the Iranian regime-linked Islamic Centre of England.
An ever-growing list of charities have faced serious allegations of peddling extremism and even funding terrorism. Despite lengthy Charity Commission investigations, most of them continue to operate, such as the Iranian regime-linked Islamic Centre of England, which is reportedly sponsoring visas for people to enter the UK. It is painfully clear that the Charity Commission lacks sufficient powers to shut down these offending charities, yet the Government have wasted six months since first acknowledging this clear and immediate threat. Will the Secretary of State confirm when those powers will be granted?
The Charity Commission takes very seriously concerns about the alleged misuse of charities in the UK to promote the interests of foreign states. The Government's social cohesion action plan, published in March, set out our plans to strengthen the Charity Commission's powers to tackle extremists' abuse of charities. We are working with the Charity Commission to develop the necessary legislation, and we take this issue very, very seriously.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Does not confirm a specific timeline for granting powers
We Are Working With The Charity Commission To Develop Legislation
Response accuracy