Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with Ofcom about contingency plans for the audio Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) sector should no audio PMSE equipment be available for use in the 960–1164MHz band by Q2 2020 when the 700MHz band is cleared of PMSE users.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
Ofcom provides monthly updates to DCMS on its work to encourage development of equipment for use in the 960-1164 MHz band. DCMS and Ofcom are also holding meetings with PMSE representatives and equipment manufacturers.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the potential financial cost to the UK creative industries and wider economy should no audio Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) equipment be available for use in the 960–1160MHz band by Q2 2020 when the 700MHz band is cleared of PMSE users.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
DCMS has not made any formal assessment beyond noting Ofcom’s published analysis.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the number of live events that it would not be possible to stage in their current form should no audio Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE) equipment be available for use in the 960–1164MHz band by Q2 2020 when the 700MHz band is cleared of PMSE users.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
DCMS has not made any formal assessment but has noted the analysis published by Ofcom in May 2014, and that since May 2014 additional spectrum has been made available for audio PMSE in the 800 MHz and 1800 MHz duplex gaps, for which equipment is already available.
Ofcom is working with manufacturers to encourage development of PMSE audio equipment for use in the 960-1164 MHz band.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the percentage of spending by Arts Council England that goes to supporting children's participation in the arts.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
A large number of arts and cultural organisations funded by Arts Council England work to ensure that all children get the opportunity to visit, experience and participate in arts and cultural activities. In 2012 –15, 65% of National Portfolio Organisations offered work for, by or with children and young people. During 2015-18 this number will increase to 82%.
In addition to this, the Arts Council provide £10 million a year to fund a network of Bridge organisations and recently launched the Cultural Education Challenge. Both of these initiatives aim to link up the cultural and education sectors, to give children and young people access to great arts and cultural opportunities.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to ensure that children's media continue to contribute to the social cohesion and cultural development of society.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Government recognises the important contribution children’s television makes to promoting British culture and the UK economy. In April, the Government introduced a new tax relief for children's ‘live action’ television productions to attract inward investment and support our domestic market. We have noted the issues identified by Ofcom and will continue to monitor the sector and consider whether further measures are needed.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to encourage commercial broadcasters and content providers to invest in the UK children's audience.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Government recognises the important contribution children’s television makes to promoting British culture and the UK economy. In April, the Government introduced a new tax relief for children's ‘live action’ television productions to attract inward investment and support our domestic market. We have noted the issues identified by Ofcom and will continue to monitor the sector and consider whether further measures are needed.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to establishing a commissioning fund, independent of the BBC Licence Fee, for UK children's media.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Government recognises the important contribution children’s television makes to promoting British culture and the UK economy. In April, the Government introduced a new tax relief for children's ‘live action’ television productions to attract inward investment and support our domestic market. We have noted the issues identified by Ofcom and will continue to monitor the sector and consider whether further measures are needed.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they plan to take to address the market failure identified by Ofcom in the provision of UK children's media content.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Government recognises the important contribution children’s television makes to promoting British culture and the UK economy. In April, the Government introduced a new tax relief for children's ‘live action’ television productions to attract inward investment and support our domestic market. We have noted the issues identified by Ofcom and will continue to monitor the sector and consider whether further measures are needed.
Asked by: Baroness Benjamin (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the contribution of children's media from the UK to promoting British culture and principles in the UK and abroad.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The Government recognises the important contribution children’s television makes to promoting British culture and the UK economy. In April, the Government introduced a new tax relief for children's ‘live action’ television productions to attract inward investment and support our domestic market. We have noted the issues identified by Ofcom and will continue to monitor the sector and consider whether further measures are needed.