Lord Smith of Finsbury Portrait

Lord Smith of Finsbury

Non-affiliated - Life peer

Became Member: 22nd June 2005


Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
22nd Jul 1997 - 8th Jun 2001
Secretary of State for National Heritage
3rd May 1997 - 22nd Jul 1997
Shadow Secretary of State
1st Jul 1996 - 1st May 1997
Shadow Secretary of State
1st Jul 1995 - 1st Jul 1996
Shadow Secretary of State
1st Jul 1994 - 1st Jul 1995
Shadow Secretary of State
11th Apr 1992 - 1st Jul 1994


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Lord Smith of Finsbury has voted in 273 divisions, and 10 times against the majority of their Party.

6 Dec 2023 - Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Passenger Railway Services) Regulations 2023 - View Vote Context
Lord Smith of Finsbury voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Non-affiliated Aye votes vs 3 Non-affiliated No votes
Tally: Ayes - 116 Noes - 144
6 Dec 2023 - Strikes (Minimum Service Levels: Border Security) Regulations 2023 - View Vote Context
Lord Smith of Finsbury voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Non-affiliated Aye votes vs 2 Non-affiliated No votes
Tally: Ayes - 151 Noes - 167
16 Jan 2024 - Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [HL] - View Vote Context
Lord Smith of Finsbury voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Non-affiliated Aye votes vs 4 Non-affiliated No votes
Tally: Ayes - 102 Noes - 212
6 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Smith of Finsbury voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 6 Non-affiliated Aye votes vs 6 Non-affiliated No votes
Tally: Ayes - 278 Noes - 189
20 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Smith of Finsbury voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 5 Non-affiliated Aye votes vs 7 Non-affiliated No votes
Tally: Ayes - 263 Noes - 233
20 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Smith of Finsbury voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 6 Non-affiliated Aye votes vs 7 Non-affiliated No votes
Tally: Ayes - 276 Noes - 226
20 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Smith of Finsbury voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 6 Non-affiliated Aye votes vs 7 Non-affiliated No votes
Tally: Ayes - 248 Noes - 209
20 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Smith of Finsbury voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 6 Non-affiliated Aye votes vs 7 Non-affiliated No votes
Tally: Ayes - 285 Noes - 230
20 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Smith of Finsbury voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 5 Non-affiliated Aye votes vs 6 Non-affiliated No votes
Tally: Ayes - 251 Noes - 214
20 Mar 2024 - Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill - View Vote Context
Lord Smith of Finsbury voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 5 Non-affiliated Aye votes vs 7 Non-affiliated No votes
Tally: Ayes - 249 Noes - 219
View All Lord Smith of Finsbury Division Votes

Debates during the 2019 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
Lord Moylan (Conservative)
(3 debate interactions)
Baroness Penn (Conservative)
Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
(2 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Leader of the House
(5 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(2 debate contributions)
Department for International Trade
(1 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Lord Smith of Finsbury's debates

Lords initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Lord Smith of Finsbury, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.


Lord Smith of Finsbury has not introduced any legislation before Parliament

Lord Smith of Finsbury has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
7th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Camrose on 31 January (HL1716), why the choice of geographical coverage for the Shared Rural Network of telephone masts includes areas in the Highland region of Scotland where coverage can reach no house or community.

4G Mobile coverage already reaches 99% of premises in the UK. The Shared Rural Network is focused on delivering connectivity not just where people live but where they work, travel and visit. In the Highlands and other areas of Scotland, whether you are a farmer wishing to utilise new technology or a visitor to one of the National Parks, digital connectivity is vital. People must be able to build lives, grow families and sustain businesses, otherwise the communities that keep a place’s culture and history alive will simply dwindle.

To minimise the impact on the environment, publicly funded masts will be shared by all four mobile network operators and existing infrastructure will be utilised wherever possible. At each potential location, an individual assessment takes account of a wide range of factors, including complying with strict planning rules for areas of natural beauty making sure we strike the right balance between connectivity and preserving the preciousness of unique landscapes.

The mobile network operators are required to work closely with local communities to ensure concerns are heard through the planning process, and local planning authorities are then responsible for approving applications.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
7th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Camrose on 31 January (HL1716), what protection they have included in provision for the Shared Rural Network of telephone masts in the Highland region of Scotland for wild land and areas of natural beauty, and scientific importance and interest.

4G Mobile coverage already reaches 99% of premises in the UK. The Shared Rural Network is focused on delivering connectivity not just where people live but where they work, travel and visit. In the Highlands and other areas of Scotland, whether you are a farmer wishing to utilise new technology or a visitor to one of the National Parks, digital connectivity is vital. People must be able to build lives, grow families and sustain businesses, otherwise the communities that keep a place’s culture and history alive will simply dwindle.

To minimise the impact on the environment, publicly funded masts will be shared by all four mobile network operators and existing infrastructure will be utilised wherever possible. At each potential location, an individual assessment takes account of a wide range of factors, including complying with strict planning rules for areas of natural beauty making sure we strike the right balance between connectivity and preserving the preciousness of unique landscapes.

The mobile network operators are required to work closely with local communities to ensure concerns are heard through the planning process, and local planning authorities are then responsible for approving applications.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
7th Mar 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Viscount Camrose on 31 January (HL1716), what consultation they have undertaken with Community Councils in the Highland region of Scotland in relation to the siting of proposed telephone masts under the auspices of the Shared Rural Network.

4G Mobile coverage already reaches 99% of premises in the UK. The Shared Rural Network is focused on delivering connectivity not just where people live but where they work, travel and visit. In the Highlands and other areas of Scotland, whether you are a farmer wishing to utilise new technology or a visitor to one of the National Parks, digital connectivity is vital. People must be able to build lives, grow families and sustain businesses, otherwise the communities that keep a place’s culture and history alive will simply dwindle.

To minimise the impact on the environment, publicly funded masts will be shared by all four mobile network operators and existing infrastructure will be utilised wherever possible. At each potential location, an individual assessment takes account of a wide range of factors, including complying with strict planning rules for areas of natural beauty making sure we strike the right balance between connectivity and preserving the preciousness of unique landscapes.

The mobile network operators are required to work closely with local communities to ensure concerns are heard through the planning process, and local planning authorities are then responsible for approving applications.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
17th Jan 2024
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answers by Viscount Camrose of 19 December 2023 (HL1000, HL1001), whether they can explain why geographical coverage was chosen as the goal for the Shared Rural Network of telephone masts, instead of population coverage.

The decision to choose geographic coverage as the preferred target for the Shared Rural Network (SRN) programme reflects the longstanding commitment from the government to improve geographic mobile coverage. This includes a commitment to extend mobile coverage to 95% of the UK landmass in the 2017 manifesto.

Specifying a geographic target for the SRN recognises the need for people to be connected whilst they are on the move, and reflects our desire to end the digital divide between urban and rural areas. It ensures that the programme remains focused on delivering benefits to the most rural parts of the country.

There are a number of expected benefits of improving mobile coverage in rural areas which have often been left behind. Masts in rural areas will improve the safety of those living, working and visiting the area, enabling 4G to facilitate 999 calls for the first time. Other benefits include economic and productivity growth, as well as wider social benefits including improved consumer choice, tourism benefits and rural/urban equity.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
7th Dec 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what criteria they have established for the siting of telecommunications masts across the Highlands of Scotland under the Shared Rural Network programme.

This Government has a responsibility to ensure all parts of the country are able to benefit from the opportunities provided by digital connectivity. The Shared Rural Network (SRN) intentionally has geographic targets in order to tackle this challenge, and ensure the programme remains focused on the most rural parts of the country.

The exact site deployment plans for new masts under the SRN will be managed by the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) themselves in order for them to best deliver the agreed coverage targets for the programme.

The MNOs continue to work closely with local communities and planning authorities to ensure new masts go through the proper planning process and are considerate to areas of natural beauty. Planning authorities are responsible for approving applications which form part of the SRN programme and publicly funded masts will be shared by all four MNOs to minimise the impact on the environment.

Viscount Camrose
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
8th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the Office for Product Safety and Standards is sufficiently staffed and skilled to enforce the new regulations on mandatory recycling labelling.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has agreed, in principle, to act as a National Regulator for the new regulations on mandatory recycling labelling, which form part of proposed Producer Responsibility Obligations under the Environment Act 2021. No final decision has been made that OPSS shall adopt this enforcement role, but should OPSS become the regulator it will be funded to ensure the necessary resources, including suitably qualified staff, are available.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
27th Apr 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the current position in negotiations for the UK's associate membership of the Horizon Europe Programme; and what steps they are intending to take in order to protect the position of UK academics who have been awarded research grants by the European Research Council.

It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. I will correspond directly with the noble Lord.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
23rd Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to maintain funding for the UK's participation in the Horizon programme at the same level as that before the UK's departure from the EU; and what plans they have to (1) maintain, and (2) enhance, the level of funding for UK Research and Innovation.

I'm pleased we reached agreement to take part in Horizon Europe, this is a great outcome for British businesses and researchers. We are continuing to work through the details of the costs for Horizon Europe.

Similarly, we are currently working closely with our delivery partners, including UKRI, to develop the 2021/22 allocations and help them plan their implementation.

We will set out our plans for R&D spend in 2021/22 – including funding for Horizon Europe and UKRI – in due course.

We are increasing funding for research and development and putting it at the heart of economic and social recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, enabling us to build back better for a greener, healthier and more resilient UK. We are committed to increasing total UK investment in R&D to 2.4% of GDP by 2027.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
22nd Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on research outcomes of using funds from UK Research and Innovation to contribute to Horizon Europe.

We are continuing to work through the details of the costs for Horizon Europe. We will set out our plans for R&D spend in 2021/22 – including funding for Horizon Europe – in due course.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
30th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of Parts 1 and 3 of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill on building regulations in Scotland; and what plans they have to ensure that Scotland will continue to be able to adopt stricter standards of building regulation.

The assessment of the impact of Parts 1 and 3 of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill on building regulations in Scotland is as follows:

  • Building regulations stipulate the performance to be achieved in buildings, rather than what goods, e.g. materials, must be used to achieve it. The market access principles only apply to requirements in relation to the sale of goods or to goods sold. We do not consider building regulations would fall into these categories. As a result, we do not expect Part 1 to have any impact on the operation of building regulations in Scotland. Note also that existing regulation is out of scope of the market access principles.
  • On Part 3, we do not consider that the Building Regulations for Scotland contain provisions on professional qualifications, and therefore Part 3 of the Bill does not affect the operation of building standards in Scotland as a result.

The Government has no plans to limit Scotland’s existing competence in relation to building regulations.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
26th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government why they are seeking to add trade mark and patent attorneys to the list of legal professions excluded from automatic recognition of professional qualifications in Clauses 22–27 of the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill.

By adding patent and trade mark attorneys to the list of excluded legal professions, we are putting them outside the scope of the recognition provisions of the Bill completely and seeking to preserve the status quo in relation to these professions and associated regulated legal activities. This brings them in line with the other legal professions excluded under Clause 25(6), in acknowledgment of the different legal systems of the UK.

Registered trade mark and patent attorneys are authorised to carry out certain reserved legal activities in England and Wales, more commonly associated with other legal professionals. By excluding the professions of trade mark and patent attorney from the recognition provisions of the Bill, we will prevent these provisions being used in a way that is not intended by the legislation governing trade mark and patent attorneys and regulated legal activities. This will ensure IPReg will continue to be able decide whether and how trade mark and patent attorneys should be allowed to carry out the regulated legal activities it is designated to regulate in different parts of the UK.

As trade mark and patent attorneys are currently regulated UK-Wide, we appreciate that accessing the professions or the associated activities may not be an issue currently. However, should the regulation of these professions change in the future, this amendment will ensure that they will not be impacted by the recognition provisions in the Bill.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
19th May 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that there will be equality in the treatment of rights of representation between trademark attorneys in the UK, the EU, and the European Economic Area (EEA) once the UK has withdrawn from the EU; and whether any such plans (1) include a common right of representation for such attorneys before the European Intellectual Property Office, or (2) would not give EU or EEA attorneys the right of representation in the UK.

We want a relationship with the EU which is based on friendly cooperation between sovereign equals, and centred on free trade. We are looking for a deal like those the EU has previously struck with other friendly countries like Canada.

FTA precedent is our starting point for legal services. We aim to secure market access commitments for lawyers and minimise barriers to the cross-border supply of services and investment, on the basis of commitments like those in the Canada FTA.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
24th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to extend the maximum time between which companies must hold annual general meetings, as set out in section 336 of the Companies Act 2006, due to the need for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government has announced a number of measures to reduce burdens on businesses small and large during the Covid-19 outbreak as part of the measures announced by the Chancellor and as set out in the Coronavirus Act. Further measures are being developed and will be announced in due course.

The Government has also been working closely with stakeholders in developing guidance on how to conduct Annual General Meetings in the face of Covid-19 restrictions. The guidance is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s and Chartered Governance Institute’s websites and is being kept under review in light of evolving circumstances. We have continued to listen and work closely with businesses to ensure they are able to conduct their business in a safe, orderly and effective way. As a consequence we announced on 28 March our intention to legislate as soon as possible to give companies greater, temporary flexibility.

Lord Callanan
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
14th Nov 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had, or plan to have, with Arts Council England to understand their decision to withdraw all national programme funding from English National Opera; and what plans they have to ask the Arts Council to reconsider this decision.

The Secretary of State, other Ministers, and officials from DCMS all regularly meet Arts Council England – which is an arms-length body of the Department – to discuss all aspects of its work. This includes meetings to discuss Arts Council England’s 2023–26 Investment Programme.

All decisions on which organisations to fund through the 2023–26 Investment Programme, and by how much, have been taken by Arts Council England. In line with the long-standing principle that the Arts Council makes such decisions at arm’s length from Government, there are no plans to ask it to reconsider these decisions. The Department is keen that Arts Council England and English National Opera work together on the future of the organisation.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
7th Apr 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they will take to safeguard the specific public service duties of Channel 4 in the event of privatisation.

Her Majesty’s Government believes that the need for public service broadcasting remains as strong as ever, and wants to ensure that the UK’s broadcasting system is dynamic and relevant, and that it can continue to meet the needs of audiences in the future.

The Government has been very clear that it wants Channel 4 to remain a public service broadcaster, with obligations and benefits similar to those which all public service broadcasters have – both public and privately-owned – so that it continues to make an important social, economic, and cultural contribution to the UK.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
7th Apr 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the privatisation of Channel 4 on the independent production sector.

Her Majesty’s Government consulted extensively on the future ownership model of Channel 4, and the views and evidence from a wide range of interested parties – including from the independent production sector – has informed the Government’s assessment and wider policy decisions.

The Government recognises that Channel 4 has consistently delivered on its remit in the decades since being established, including supporting the UK’s independent production sector. Forty years on, this sector is now flourishing. Independent production is increasingly less reliant on income from UK public service broadcasters, and will continue to be in demand for the high-quality, differentiated, distinctively British content it produces. In the 10 years between 2008 and 2018, the contribution of public service broadcaster commissions to sector revenue fell from 64% to 42%, due in large part to the growth of international revenue.

Her Majesty’s Government will publish its response to the consultation shortly.



Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
7th Apr 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the fundamental differences between Channel 4 and international streaming services, such as Netflix.

The increasing popularity in the UK of international media and streaming groups means that Channel 4, in common with other public service broadcasters, faces growing competition for audiences, programmes, and talent from new, global groups with greater spending power.

Channel 4 and these global streamers are certainly fundamentally different. But no one can deny that the markets within Channel 4 operates have been radically changed by the arrival of such competitors, and Channel 4 will need different tools to succeed in the future.

Audiences are increasingly likely to consume content on non-linear platforms such as video-on-demand services. Whilst overall daily audio-video viewing is increasing, broadcast TV’s share of total viewing fell from 74% in 2017 to 61% in 2020. At the same time, subscription video-on-demand services’ share of total video more than trebled, increasing from 6% in 2017 to 19% in 2020.

Global players such as Netflix have significant financial and operational resources compared to UK public service broadcasters, and they are driving up content costs and viewer acquisition costs across the sector. This is reflected across a number of genres, including high-end dramas. Channel 4’s commissioning spending is dwarfed by Netflix, and small in the context of broadcasters. Netflix invested £9.2 billion in 2020, which included spending £779 million on original UK productions, over twice as much as Channel 4, which spent £329 million on original programming on its main channel in 2020.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
7th Feb 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions, if any, they have had with (1) the BBC, and (2) the Scottish government, about provisions for the (a) protection and (b) enhancement, of Gaelic broadcasting in any broadcasting White Paper.

The UK Government has a strong record of demonstrating its commitment to minority language broadcasting, including broadcasting in Scottish Gaelic, to ensure that our broadcasting sector serves all audiences of the UK. This includes the requirement in the Government’s Framework Agreement with the BBC for it to support the provision of output in Gaelic in Scotland and to operate a television channel (BBC Alba) in partnership with MG ALBA.

Such broadcasting has an important role to play in the UK’s broadcasting ecology, providing not only an opportunity for people to access content in a language familiar to them, but as a means of cultural expression for communities across the UK.

The Government is undertaking a strategic review of public service broadcasting in order to ensure that viewers across the whole UK continue to benefit from a system capable of meeting their needs, now and in the future. In undertaking this work the Government is engaging with a wide range of interested parties including the devolved administrations and the BBC, as well as other broadcasters, industry bodies, and viewer interest groups. We will set out the review's conclusions in due course.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
11th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Barran on 9 March (HL13616), to provide a list of the people they have appointed to their working group on the ability of UK artists to perform in the EU.

The Government recognises the importance of the creative and cultural sectors, and is committed to helping them navigate the new rules under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The DCMS-led working group on creative and cultural touring, which involves sector representatives and other key government departments, is looking at the issues and options to help the sectors resume touring with ease as soon as it is safe to do so.

Membership of the Working Group includes a range of sector representative bodies, including: Association of Independent Music, the Music Managers’ Forum, Musicians’ Union, UK Music, BPI, LIVE, the Association of British Orchestras, UK Theatre, One Dance UK, the Incorporated Society of Musicians, the Creative Industries Federation, the Featured Artists Coalition, National Museum Directors’ Council, ACE, the British Fashion Council, the Production Services Association, Creative Scotland, Arts Councils for each of the nations, Logistics UK, the Road Haulage Association, #WeMakeEvents and the Council of Music Makers .

Sector representatives that are in attendance are encouraged to reach out to others to ensure the working group hears and understands the concerns from organisations and individuals right across the cultural and creative sectors.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
11th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Barran on 9 March (HL13616), whether their working group on the ability of UK artists to perform in the EU includes, or will hear from, performers with experience of applying for the necessary visas.

The Government recognises the importance of the creative and cultural sectors, and is committed to helping them navigate the new rules under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

The DCMS-led working group on creative and cultural touring, which involves sector representatives and other key government departments, is looking at the issues and options to help the sectors resume touring with ease as soon as it is safe to do so.

Membership of the Working Group includes a range of sector representative bodies, including: Association of Independent Music, the Music Managers’ Forum, Musicians’ Union, UK Music, BPI, LIVE, the Association of British Orchestras, UK Theatre, One Dance UK, the Incorporated Society of Musicians, the Creative Industries Federation, the Featured Artists Coalition, National Museum Directors’ Council, ACE, the British Fashion Council, the Production Services Association, Creative Scotland, Arts Councils for each of the nations, Logistics UK, the Road Haulage Association, #WeMakeEvents and the Council of Music Makers .

Sector representatives that are in attendance are encouraged to reach out to others to ensure the working group hears and understands the concerns from organisations and individuals right across the cultural and creative sectors.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
10th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what guarantees they have established, if any, that primary schools in receipt of Space for Sports and the Arts funding since 2003 will have the full duration of the funding honoured.

Space for Sport & Arts was a funding programme that ran for four years, from 2001 to 2005. Sport England managed the programme, including grant management and awards of funding.

Under the Terms & Conditions of awards, any disposal or change of use of a funded facility at a school requires Sport England consent during the term of the grant (21 years from the date of award acceptance).

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
23rd Feb 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to negotiate arrangements with the EU for reduced visa requirements for performances by (1) musicians, and (2) other artistic performers.

This Government recognises the importance of our world leading creative and cultural industries. That is why it provided an unprecedented £1.57bn package of support to help these sectors through the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, over £1 billion has been awarded to almost 3800 organisations, with at least 75,000 jobs saved so far, and many more freelancers also benefiting from new work that can now be created. At Budget 2021, HMT also announced £300m of additional funding for the Culture Recovery Fund which will be made available to support cultural organisations in England as audiences begin to return. This demonstrates our firm commitment to ensuring that UK culture continues to thrive.

We know that while leaving the EU will bring changes and new processes to touring and working in the EU, it will also bring new opportunities. Leaving the EU has always meant that there would be changes to how practitioners operate in the EU.

UK performers and artists are of course still able to tour and perform in the EU, and vice versa. However, we understand the concerns about the new arrangements and we are committed to supporting the sectors as they get to grips with the changes to systems and processes.

We are now working urgently across government and in collaboration with cultural and creative industries, including through a new working group, to help address these issues so that touring in Europe can resume with ease as soon as it is safe to do so.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
23rd Feb 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government why museums have been included in Step Three rather than Step Two in the roadmap to ease the restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

We seek to reopen outdoor elements of galleries and museums in Step 2, with indoor elements at these attractions opening at Step 3. This acknowledges the higher transmission risk posed by indoor settings.

The design of the roadmap has been informed by the latest scientific evidence and seeks a balance between our key social and economic priorities, whilst preserving the health and safety of the country. The scientific evidence shows that opening too early or too quickly risks a further lockdown.

The Chancellor announced in the 2021 Budget an additional £300 million to support theatres, museums and other cultural organisations in England through the Culture Recovery Fund. The Chancellor also set out that we will provide £90 million funding to support our government-sponsored national museums and some cultural bodies in England due to the financial impact of Covid-19. This is in addition to the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, and the continued reduction in VAT, among other measures.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
11th Feb 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the national restrictions to address the COVID-19 pandemic introduced in England on 4 January, and the impact on the cultural sector of those restrictions, what plans they have to establish a third round of the Cultural Recovery Fund, and whether they plan to offer more than the £1.57 billion that they announced for that fund on 5 July 2020.

DCMS is fully committed to supporting the culture and heritage sectors to survive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over £1bn of funding has already been allocated across arts, heritage and independent cinemas, and we are working hard to ensure that the £400m of round two funding supports as many culturally significant organisations as possible.

We continue to work closely with our Arms Length Bodies to understand the need in the sector and how best to support them as we transition out of lockdown over the coming months.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
1st Feb 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to seek an assurance from appointees for the Chair of Ofcom that they are committed to the future of public service broadcasting in the UK; and if so, how they intend to seek such an assurance.

The government is supportive of a modern system of public service broadcasting that remains relevant and continues to meet the needs of UK audiences in the future.

The Chair of Ofcom is appointed by the DCMS Secretary of State following a fair and open competition and is assisted in this by an Advisory Assessment Panel. The preferred candidate will be required to attend a pre-appointment hearing with the DCMS Select Committee, following which a report will be published. Both the Advisory Assessment Panel and the DCMS Select Committee will have an opportunity to assess candidates against the published criteria for the role.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
16th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government how the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport is collaborating with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) on sharing and preserving digital heritage collections.

The cornerstone of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Arts and Humanities Research Council’s (AHRC) collaboration to preserve and share digital heritage collections is, ‘Towards a National Collection: Opening UK Heritage to the World’. The programme sees DCMS and AHRC work with AHRC’s Independent Research Organisations (IROs) and universities with the aim of creating a unified virtual ‘national collection’. It is funded via an £18.93 million investment over five years.

The AHRC’s IROs include many of the world’s pre-eminent museums, galleries and archives, playing a highly significant role in the UK’s international prestige and in its multi-billion heritage tourist economy.

Towards a National Collection forges new partnerships between IROs and universities, amplifying and deepening their joint research power. The programme uses new technology to dissolve barriers between different collections – and open UK heritage to new audiences at home and across the world.

The funding for the programme forms part of the Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF), delivered by UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) to drive an increase in high quality multi- and interdisciplinary research and innovation. The SPF ensures that UKRI's investment links up effectively with government research priorities and opportunities.

AHRC and DCMS also collaborated on designing the Capability for Collections Fund (CapCo), an allocation from UKRI’s £315m World Class Labs programme, to upgrade and renew conservation, heritage science and digitisation facilities in museums; and provide the underpinning infrastructure required to unlock the creative, economic and innovation potential of the UK’s heritage assets.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
12th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to using the National Lottery Distribution Fund exclusively to support the arts, heritage and sports industries to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic over the next three years.

Income raised by the National Lottery funds good causes in four broad areas, which are set out in the National Lottery Act 1993: communities 40%, arts 20%, heritage 20%, and sport 20%. The government remains committed to funding these four areas and funds are distributed by 12 Lottery Distributing Bodies (LDBs) at arm’s length from government.

The National Lottery distributors have directed up to £600m of funding to UK charities and organisations to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This has included specific support for the Arts, Heritage and Sports sectors:

  • Arts Council England reallocated £144 million of National Lottery funding to form their £160 million emergency response package to support individuals and organisations across the cultural sector to deal with the immediate impact of the Covid-19 crisis.

  • The National Lottery Heritage Fund has provided £50 million through its Heritage Emergency Fund, which was set up in April to support people and organisations in the heritage sector as a response to the Covid crisis. Phase 1 of this Fund provided grants between £3,000 and £50,000; in phase 2 of the Fund, applicants could apply for grants of up to £250,000.

  • The National Lottery has contributed £172m towards Sport England’s £210m fund to support the sport and physical activity sector through COVID-19. This includes the £35 million Community Emergency Fund, which is helping community sports clubs and exercise centres to remain open during the pandemic.

More information about the support the National Lottery is providing in response to Covid-19 can be found on the National Lottery Promotions Unit website:

https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/coronavirus-pandemic-response

In addition to National Lottery funding, the government has also provided specific support for these sectors, including investing an unprecedented £1.57 billion, the biggest ever one-off cash injection into UK culture, to tackle the crisis facing our most loved arts organisations and heritage sites. Similarly, the government has provided substantial support to the sport sector, including tax reliefs, cash grants and employee wage support, alongside urgent work to support sport clubs as a result of clubs not being able to admit spectators to stadia from the 1 October.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
9th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider increasing their annual grant to the National Heritage Memorial Fund as a tribute to those who have lost their lives in the UK to COVID-19.

All spending decisions are a matter for the Chancellor. Government is currently looking at options to offer further support to the heritage sector. The National Heritage Memorial Fund receives £5million a year from the Government.


In this, its 40th anniversary year, it is right to acknowledge the vast contribution that the National Heritage Memorial Fund has made to saving more than 1,200 of the UK’s most iconic objects and places, through grants totalling over £365million.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
14th Nov 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the letter from the Deputy Director of the Department of Education’s Disadvantage and International Directorate dated 24 October, what consideration they have given to replacing “does not include” with “includes” in section 7 of the European University Institute (EU Exit) Regulations 2022.

While the UK’s membership of the European University Institute (EUI) convention ceased on exit of the EU, the department put in place an extension of its previous arrangements with the EUI beyond the end of the transition period, until 31 December 2022. This was to protect the status of UK-linked staff and students at the EUI, so that they could continue in their posts and with their studies while options for a future relationship with the EUI were considered.

Long standing government policy is to only grant privileges and immunities where there is a demonstrated and robust functional need for the running of the institution and never solely for personal benefit. In this case, in the absence of a negotiated international treaty compelling the government to do so, the department is unable to continue to grant privileges and immunities to EUI staff and students, including the UK linked ones.

The saving of the income tax privilege and the legal proceedings immunity for current staff is as considered appropriate and/or intended to give a reasonable period for those staff at the EUI to adjust, and they will be saved in relation to the current term of the staff member’s employment contract without extension.

Baroness Barran
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
23rd Feb 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the free speech duties they intend to place on universities will prohibit the implementation by universities of the duties placed on them under the Prevent programme.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, set out new measures to strengthen free speech and academic freedom at universities in England on 16 February 2021, in order to stamp out unlawful silencing on campuses. The new measures set out in the policy paper will help to ensure that our universities are places where free speech can thrive.

Higher education providers will continue to be subject to the Prevent duty under Section 26(1) of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015. The government is clear that the Prevent Duty should not be used to suppress free speech; rather, it requires providers, when exercising their functions, to have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism. There is no prescription from government (or the Office for Students) in regard to what action providers should take once they have had due regard. The legislation imposing the Prevent duty in relation to higher education specifically requires that providers must have particular regard to their duty to ensure freedom of speech and to the importance of academic freedom. As they already do, providers will continue to balance their legal duties, both in terms of ensuring freedom of speech and academic freedom, and also of protecting student and staff welfare.

Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
16th Nov 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to provide support for residential outdoor activity centres  that are at risk of closure because of the restrictions put in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department’s advice on educational visits can be viewed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-schools-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/guidance-for-full-opening-schools. It is in line with guidance from Public Health England, the Cabinet Office and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It is currently under review and the findings will be available at the end of November.

The Government has introduced an unprecedented and comprehensive package of support worth more than £200 billion to help as many individuals and businesses as possible during this difficult period. This includes small business grants, the coronavirus loan guarantee schemes, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), the deferral of VAT and income tax payments, and more. The measures introduced have been designed to be accessible to businesses in most sectors and across the UK.

Further measures have been announced by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that build on the significant support already available as well as set out how current support will evolve and adapt. These include the extension of the CJRS until the end of March 2021, the extension of the deadline for applications for the Bounce Back Loan scheme and other loan schemes until 31 January 2021, and increased support for the self-employed through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grants.

Furthermore, businesses in England that are forced to close due to national or local restrictions will receive up to £3,000 per month. Local authorities in England will also receive one-off funding of £1.1 billion to support businesses more broadly over the coming months as a key part of local economies.

The Government will continue to work closely with local authorities, businesses, business representative organisations, and the financial services sector to monitor the implementation of current support and understand whether there is additional need. Businesses can also access tailored advice through our freephone business support helpline, online via the Business Support website or through their local growth hubs in England.

8th Dec 2022
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken (1) to progress plans to introduce mandatory recycling labelling on packaging, and (2) to ensure businesses are able to implement these reforms effectively and at reasonable costs.

We confirmed our intention to require recycling labelling on packaging in March 2022 in the Government's Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility consultation response. We continue to engage with stakeholders as we develop these requirements, the approach to assessing recyclability and the regulations to introduce mandatory labelling.

Labelling will be required by 31 st March 2026 for all packaging except plastic films and flexibles which will be required to be labelled by 31 st March 2027. This should provide sufficient time for business to adopt labelling as part of typical business cycles and to avoid unnecessary costs. It will also allow time for collection services to develop such that all local authorities collect the same packaging materials for recycling.

Lord Benyon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
18th May 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on the rights of representation of UK patent attorneys before the Unified Patent Court.

The Government cannot comment on the sensitive detail of live negotiations; however, accession will only take place on terms beneficial to the UK. The UK has a world leading intellectual property regime and will not sign trade deals that compromise it. The Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership sets clear and consistent rules for the intellectual property (IP) sector which will benefit UK businesses, attorneys, and consumers.

18th May 2022
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether UK negotiators will seek to protect patent attorneys' rights of representation before the Unified Patent Court during accession negotiations to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The Government cannot comment on the sensitive detail of live negotiations; however, accession will only take place on terms beneficial to the UK. The UK has a world leading intellectual property regime and will not sign trade deals that compromise it. The Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership sets clear and consistent rules for the intellectual property (IP) sector which will benefit UK businesses, attorneys, and consumers.

23rd Jun 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to comply with Article 14.12 of the UK–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and (2) to discuss measures with the government of Japan to ensure adequate remuneration for (a) performers, and (b) producers, of phonograms used for (i) broadcasting, or (ii) any communication to the public.

Article 14.12 of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) commits the UK and Japan to discuss measures to ensure adequate remuneration for performers and producers of phonograms when phonograms published for commercial purposes are used for broadcasting or for any communication to the public.

The Parties are currently discussing the implementation of committees under CEPA, including a Committee on Intellectual Property where technical discussions, including those relating to performer and producer remuneration rights, can take place.

The Government will continue to consult with stakeholders, including through the department’s Trade Advisory Groups and Thematic Working Groups, to inform its discussions.

17th May 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish (1) their outline approach, (2) a scoping analysis, (3) their response to public consultation, and (4) a timetable for negotiations, on the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

On Monday 1st February, the Government submitted its notification of intent to begin the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) accession process. This was the first formal step towards accession before the launch of formal negotiations.

The Government will publish the negotiation objectives, scoping analysis, and consultation response in advance of the start of formal negotiations. In accordance with the guidelines set out by the CPTPP membership, negotiations will begin once the CPTPP membership formally invite the UK to proceed. The Government expects this decision will be taken soon.

17th May 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect formal negotiations on the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to begin.

On Monday 1st February, the Government submitted its notification of intent to begin the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) accession process. This was the first formal step towards accession before the launch of formal negotiations.

The Government will publish the negotiation objectives, scoping analysis, and consultation response in advance of the start of formal negotiations. In accordance with the guidelines set out by the CPTPP membership, negotiations will begin once the CPTPP membership formally invite the UK to proceed. The Government expects this decision will be taken soon.

17th May 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership on the intellectual property sector.

The UK’s intellectual property (IP) regime achieves an effective balance between rewarding creators and innovation, and reflecting wider public interests such as ensuring access and use of IP on reasonable terms. The Government will not sign trade deals that compromise the UK’s world leading IP regime.

The Government will publish its negotiation objectives for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, scoping assessment, and consultation response in advance of the start of accession negotiations.

19th Mar 2021
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group approved the control of eight GP Services contracts to be passed to Operose Health; and what consultation involving (1) local authorities, and (2) patient representatives, was undertaken before that decision was approved.

After forming a partnership with Operose Health Ltd, the contract owner AT Medics Ltd asked permission of the the North Central London Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as the commissioner of the relevant services, for the transfer of the holdings to Operose Health Ltd. Such a transfer is allowed under the terms of the GP contract. In this case, there was no legal or contractual basis for the CCG to reject the transfer as it will not lead to any significant change in service provision. The contract owner remains AT Medics Ltd and the change of control of the holding company to Operose Health Ltd does not affect service provision in any way.

No consultation involving local authorities and patient representatives was undertaken as this is only required when there is a significant change in service provision.

15th Jun 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what scientific analysis has been undertaken of the potential travel distance of aerosol or droplets during singing; and on what evidence they will base any decisions on social distancing restrictions for members of a choir.

A review of the existing literature on this topic was considered by the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group on 17 June 2020. The committee’s deliberations and any recommendations will be considered imminently by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). Decisions on special social distancing guidance for choir members will depend on the conclusions arrived at by SAGE.

12th May 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government why a ban on accepting blood plasma for the COVID-19 convalescent plasma trial from gay and bisexual men has been put in place; and whether they will consider the use of individual risk assessments for this purpose instead of blanket exclusion.

No individual is excluded from giving blood, platelets or plasma based on sexual orientation. However, all men must wait three months after having sexual contact with another man before donating. This is based on expert advice from the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs.

The three-month deferral period is to reduce the risk of any very recently acquired infections not being detected on screening and further tests. For that reason, the current donor selection guidelines remain in place for the convalescent plasma donation programme.

The Equality Act 2010 states that blood services do not contravene anti-discrimination legislation by excluding people from donating blood as long as this exclusion or deferral is based on a reasonable and reliable assessment of risk to the public.

We recognise that people want to be considered as individuals as much as possible. Separately to the convalescent plasma trial, NHS Blood and Transplant is already working collaboratively with LGBT+ groups on blood donation, through the FAIR (For Assessment of Individualised Risk) steering group. The FAIR group is using an evidence-based approach to explore if a more individualised blood donation risk assessment can be safely and practically introduced, while ensuring the safe supply of blood to patients.

7th Dec 2023
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Governor of the British Virgin Islands in relation to the proposed referendum on same-sex marriage and partnerships; and whether they plan to instruct the Governor to intervene to ensure that international legal obligations are upheld.

As separate, largely self-governing jurisdictions with their own democratically-elected representatives, the British Overseas Territories are responsible for their own legislation regarding marriage and civil partnerships.

The UK Government has had several discussions with the Governor of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) about the Premier's plans for a referendum on same sex marriage and civil partnerships.

We continue to encourage the Overseas Territories to ensure their legislation delivers greater equality and is compliant with international human rights obligations.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
12th Oct 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Turkey about the opening of the Varosi beachfront in Cyprus; and what steps they intend to take to ensure that UN Resolutions 550, 789, and 2537 are upheld.

The UK continues to be concerned by the announcement of 6 October to open the beach within the fenced-off area of Varosha, and the subsequent opening of the beach on 8 October. We have made representations to Turkey through our Embassy in Ankara both prior to and following the announcement. These have been reinforced by conversations held with the Turkish Representative at the UN in New York and with the Turkish Ambassador in London.

In response to the announcement, the UK called for the UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on the matter on 9 October. The UK continues to strongly support the numerous Security Council Resolutions covering the issue of Varosha, notably 550 (1984) and 789 (1992). In this regard, we support the UN Presidential Statement reaffirming its support for the relevant Security Council Resolutions and expressing deep concern regarding the announcement.

1st Dec 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow the temporary reduced rate of VAT of five per cent for certain attractions to apply where a concert is being streamed as live, but for technical reasons was required to be pre-recorded.

Where online access is provided for live-streamed entertainment events when no audience can be present due to lockdown restrictions, the temporary reduced rate of VAT may apply as long as the performance is broadcast live. A pre-recorded concert that can be automatically delivered with minimal or no human intervention is likely to be an electronically supplied service; the liability of which will depend upon the place of supply rules.

Further information on the temporary reduced rate for admissions and electronically supplied services can be found on GOV.UK at the Revenue and Customs Brief on VAT on admission charges to attractions.

10th Jul 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to introducing an advertising tax credit as part of their COVID-19 economic recovery package in order (1) to help stimulate consumer spending, and (2) to assist the retention of employment in the advertising industry.

The Government has no plans to introduce a new tax credit for business expenditure on advertising. The Chancellor keeps all aspects of the tax system under review, and announces any changes at a fiscal event.

19th Mar 2020
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to allow theatres and other cultural venues to automatically be able to claim Gift Aid when patrons agree to donate to the venue the value of their tickets for an event cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Theatres and other cultural venues recognised as charities by HMRC can claim Gift Aid on freely given donations, as opposed to payments for goods or services; such as admission tickets. These charities can claim Gift Aid on the value of tickets for cancelled events if the patrons have agreed not to be refunded for the cost of the ticket and agree for the same amount to be treated as a donation. Additionally, the charity will also need to make sure the patrons have made a Gift Aid declaration for their donations to qualify for Gift Aid, confirming that they have, or will have, paid enough tax to cover the amount the charity will claim on their donations.