Performing Artists and Musicians: Access to the EU
Debate between Lord Wigley and Baroness Twycross(1 week, 6 days ago)
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Baroness Twycross (Lab)
The only thing I would add to what I said previously is to repeat that, when the new Prime Minister spoke following his appointment, he reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to building a closer, more ambitious relationship with the European Union. Part of this will be to make sure that we have the summit later this year, if at all possible.
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, I draw the House’s attention to my registered interest on this matter. Does the Minister accept that this issue has been festering for all the 10 years since the disastrous Brexit vote and that successive Governments have so far failed to bring forward new initiatives to crack it? What new initiative will be forthcoming from this Government that might at last make a difference?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I reject the term “festering” in relation to what this Government have done. Helping touring artists and addressing issues around co-operation with Europe remain a priority. I am grateful to the noble Lord for reminding the House of why we ended up leaving the EU in the first place, which was not because of anything that this Government did but was down to the previous one.
BBC Royal Charter: Gaelic Broadcasting
Debate between Lord Wigley and Baroness Twycross(2 weeks, 5 days ago)
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Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I agree with my noble friend on how important our UK languages are. Keeping them alive is part of not just our history but our culture for the future, and it should matter to all of us. The Government recognise the valuable contribution that providers of minority-language broadcasting have and their vital role in the preservation of our national heritage. The Government are considering the most appropriate arrangements for providing sustainable funding for minority-languages broadcasting as part of the charter review. MG Alba’s total budget stands at an estimated £420 per Gaelic speaker, including both BBC and Scottish Government spend. This compares to an equivalent of £260 per Welsh speaker for S4C. That is not to minimise the importance of it but to show that there is investment in this space.
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, in supporting the noble Baroness’s plea on behalf of the Gaelic language, and as a one-time board member of S4C, there was never a time when S4C had the certainty of adequate future funding. Is the Minister aware that S4C has called for more medium-term funding through a multi-year funding settlement that allows for inflation and for protection from outside cuts? Will the Minister give serious consideration to such an approach, and thereby provide fair funding for both Welsh and Gaelic broadcasting services?
Creative Industries: Freelance Champion
Debate between Lord Wigley and Baroness Twycross(6 months, 1 week ago)
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Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I am happy to take that back to the department. I do not have a list of the make-up of the council, but I will take the point back and write to the noble Earl.
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, I draw attention to my registered interests. Does the Minister accept that creative practitioners suffered disproportionately during the Covid lockdown and many from the impact of Brexit? Their predicaments are many and varied; in these circumstances, will she give an assurance that, when the appointment is made and is effective, it will relate to all the many and varied people in this sector to make sure that there is a proper channel to hear their needs?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
The noble Lord describes exactly what a freelance champion should do: to be a representative and voice for all those across the sector. I will make sure that I forward the working spec to all noble Lords who have taken part in this debate.
Parthenon Sculptures: Return
Debate between Lord Wigley and Baroness Twycross(1 year ago)
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Baroness Twycross (Lab)
The majority of museums are able to deal with the restitution of human remains on a case-by-case basis. My noble friend will be aware that I am planning to have a meeting with my noble friend Lady Merron to discuss issues relating to the Human Tissue Act. There is human remains guidance for museums, issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in 2005, which covers the legal and ethical framework for the treatment of human remains. I understand the strength of feeling of my noble friend and I am happy to have a conversation with him to discuss this further.
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, in supporting the noble Earl’s plea to the Government to look at this issue, I draw to the attention of the Minister the fact that there are artefacts, such as the ap Huw manuscripts of Welsh music, that have been in the British Library for many years. They are of little interest to those coming to the British Library but would be of great interest in Wales. Would she consider writing to some of these institutions to see whether an arrangement can be reached to meet the very reasonable pleas that have been made in this House already?
Listed Historic Buildings
Debate between Lord Wigley and Baroness Twycross
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
That programme is a fantastic example of the value of heritage as an investment in our communities. As someone who felt very strongly that the South Norwood area, which is where I previously lived, could really benefit from this sort of investment, I absolutely recognise its value. The noble Earl will be aware that the initial £95 million of public investment unlocked more than £140 million of further private and public investment. On future commitments, as previously referenced, we are going through the business planning process, so any future funding for individual programmes is currently being assessed and will be announced soon.
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, will the noble Baroness tell the House, if she has the information, how many of the sites on the Heritage at Risk Register are world heritage sites, and how many of those are therefore in danger of losing their world heritage status? What steps will the Government take on that? I draw attention to my interest, being involved in world heritage partnerships across the UK.
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
That is a very interesting question. It is not one that I have the answer to, but I will write to the noble Lord to ensure that that information is available and place a copy of the letter in the Library.
Evaluation in Government Policy-making
Debate between Lord Wigley and Baroness Twycross
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I respect the noble Lord’s right to raise that question in this place. However, I will write to him on that matter; this is not something that I can respond to today.
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, does the Minister accept that while it is of course important that we know the financial cost of everything, there are aspects of public policy—such as culture, the arts, music, et cetera—where we need to also understand the value? Is it not unacceptable that we should know the price of everything and the value of nothing?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
If I were to say yes, that would probably be quite a short answer. We are looking at social value as well as value for money purely in financial terms as part of our approach.
Olympic and Paralympic Games: Team GB
Debate between Lord Wigley and Baroness Twycross
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
The importance of grass-roots sports facilities cannot be overstated. As I said in response to the previous question, the Government committed in the Autumn Budget to support grass-roots sport by investing in multi-use facilities across the UK. That will enable people such as those referred to by my noble friend to get the start in those sports that they need.
Lord Wigley (PC)
My Lords, will the Minister join me in congratulating the swimmers in both the Olympics and the Paralympics on once again doing very well? However, does she accept that disabled swimmers in particular can achieve their maximum potential only if facilities are available locally? With many local authorities under financial pressure, swimming pools are being closed. Can she give a commitment that the Government will do everything they can, in England for themselves and in co-operation in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, to ensure that the resources are there to maintain swimming pools so that we can maintain this record well into the future?
Baroness Twycross (Lab)
I agree. I learned how to swim in a swimming pool in south London, where my father literally threw me in at the deep end—which I am not sure is an accepted approach to teaching swimming now. This is an issue that has gone on for some time and we are acutely aware of the issue that the noble Lord refers to.