Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they plan to make to the BBC to ensure the continuation of regional TV programmes, and in particular political and current affairs programmes.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The BBC’s Royal Charter requires the BBC to represent, reflect and serve audiences, taking into account the needs of diverse communities of all the UK nations and regions.
The BBC’s proposed cuts to English regional television were debated in the chamber on 22 June 2020 with unanimous support for regional broadcasting. However, the BBC is editorially and operationally independent of government, and regional programming is a matter for the BBC.
Under the new regulatory system introduced by the government in 2017, the BBC Board must ensure the BBC complies with its Charter duties, and the government established Ofcom as the BBC regulator to ensure the BBC is robustly held to account.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review Ofcom’s requirements for local commercial radio stations on (1) offering a local news and information element in their programming, and (2) remaining independent and distinctive from other commonly owned radio stations.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
The Government acknowledges and values the role that local commercial radio stations play in the provision of local news and information, and in offering a distinctive service to their listeners. However, it is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator, to set programming and content requirements, in accordance with its statutory duty under section 314 of the Communications Act 2003 to ensure that holders of local radio licences carry locally relevant content and that a suitable proportion of local content is made locally. We have no plans to review these requirements.
Ofcom is required under section 314 of the Communications Act 2003 to publish and keep under review guidance for commercial radio licensees setting out the detailed local programming requirements that they consider it to be appropriate for local stations to carry, including the minimum amount of locally made news. The relevant guidelines are published on Ofcom's website.
Ofcom’s consultation in 2018 on proposed changes to the localness guidance and impact assessment covered the potential impacts on radio listeners and the industry.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow golf courses and golf facilities to re-open, subject to safeguards.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Golf courses along with other sports facilities remain closed at this time in line with the government's clear message to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.
The government is in regular contact with stakeholders across the sport and physical activity sector and will continue to provide advice as and when there are any changes to the current guidance. The Government’s position is led by our medical experts and the key priority is to protect people’s health,
Despite the current restrictions, it is vitally important that we keep the nation active, which is why a person can leave the house for one form of exercise a day; for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of their household.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans, if any, they have to return responsibility for gambling in the UK to the Home Office as part of their review of the Gambling Act 2005.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Gambling policy is a cross-government issue involving ministers and officials from DCMS, Home Office, DHSC, HMT and other departments. Our departments work together closely and the Health Secretary has announced a cross-government addiction strategy that will include gambling.
We have no plans to return primary responsibility for gambling regulation to the Home Office as part of the Gambling Act Review.
Asked by: Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport advised local authorities of the 2013 EU criteria for applicants to be the European City of Culture 2023.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
The application, rules, guidance and other information for cities wishing to enter the competition to be European Capital of Culture 2023 were published on 16 December 2016 on gov.uk, which I attach.