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Written Question
Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
Wednesday 24th February 2021

Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answers of 17 December 2020 to Question 128492 and of 20 January 2021 to Question 137326, whether he plans to extend the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme beyond 31 March 2021; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)

I am pleased to be able to confirm that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will be renewed this year on the same terms as it operated previously.

This scheme will continue to benefit listed places of worship across the country during these difficult times. It will also help to ensure that they are able to reopen fully once it is safe to do so.


Written Question
Charities: Data Protection
Monday 12th March 2018

Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps the Government has taken to ensure charities are able to access necessary support after General Data Protection Regulations legislation becomes effective on 25 May 2018.

Answered by Margot James

All UK businesses together with all organisations that process personal data will be required to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) after 25th May 2018 and the UK's full data protection regime as set out in the Data Protection Bill. However, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) have made it clear that GDPR compliance will be an ongoing journey.

The ICO provides guidance and support to UK organisations and have already published a number of resources on the Commissioner's website (ico.org.uk) to help organisations prepare. The ICO has: launched a dedicated helpline service for smaller organisations; updated its 'SME toolkit' to reflect the requirements of the GDPR; simplified its "12-step" GDPR preparation guidance; and published tailored advice for charities.

The ICO will continue to provide support for organisations on the new laws.


Written Question
Charities: Data Protection
Monday 20th November 2017

Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the preparedness of charities to implement change required by the General Data Protection Regulation from May 2018.

Answered by Tracey Crouch

The Government and the Information Commissioner recognise the challenges facing organisations across the UK, including charities, in their preparations for the Data Protection Bill and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). A recent survey by the Institute of Fundraising found that three quarters of charities have started preparations for the new law. However, the survey also found that 22 per cent of charities had not reviewed their data protection practices or begun preparations for the new regime.

In February 2017, the Charity Commission, Fundraising Regulator and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) held a joint conference to help fundraising charities prepare for forthcoming changes. The Fundraising Regulator also published guidance for charities and fundraisers on complying with the law.

There are already resources on the ICO website (ico.org.uk) to help organisations employing fewer than 250 people prepare for the data protection regime. This month the ICO has launched a dedicated helpline service for SMEs including charities and has updated its SME toolkit to reflect the requirements of GDPR. The ICO will also be simplifying its "12-step" GDPR preparation guidance in response to requests from SMEs and will continue to develop further guidance on both the Bill and GDPR. Small charities and SMEs can also make use of the ICO's advisory visit service which provides organisations with practical advice on improving their data protection practices.

The Office for Civil Society’s small charities fundraising training programme already includes training on the GDPR, in recognition of the need to support small charities with meeting the new legal requirements.

The Government, Fundraising Regulator and the ICO will continue to support the charity sector to ensure it is prepared for the changes.


Written Question
Charities: Data Protection
Monday 20th November 2017

Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what support she has provided to help charities adapt to changes introduced by the General Data Protection Regulation from May 2018.

Answered by Tracey Crouch

The Government and the Information Commissioner recognise the challenges facing organisations across the UK, including charities, in their preparations for the Data Protection Bill and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). A recent survey by the Institute of Fundraising found that three quarters of charities have started preparations for the new law. However, the survey also found that 22 per cent of charities had not reviewed their data protection practices or begun preparations for the new regime.

In February 2017, the Charity Commission, Fundraising Regulator and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) held a joint conference to help fundraising charities prepare for forthcoming changes. The Fundraising Regulator also published guidance for charities and fundraisers on complying with the law.

There are already resources on the ICO website (ico.org.uk) to help organisations employing fewer than 250 people prepare for the data protection regime. This month the ICO has launched a dedicated helpline service for SMEs including charities and has updated its SME toolkit to reflect the requirements of GDPR. The ICO will also be simplifying its "12-step" GDPR preparation guidance in response to requests from SMEs and will continue to develop further guidance on both the Bill and GDPR. Small charities and SMEs can also make use of the ICO's advisory visit service which provides organisations with practical advice on improving their data protection practices.

The Office for Civil Society’s small charities fundraising training programme already includes training on the GDPR, in recognition of the need to support small charities with meeting the new legal requirements.

The Government, Fundraising Regulator and the ICO will continue to support the charity sector to ensure it is prepared for the changes.


Written Question
Charities: Data Protection
Monday 20th November 2017

Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will include training on preparing for General Data Protection Regulation changes from May 2018 in the small charities fundraising training programme.

Answered by Tracey Crouch

The Government and the Information Commissioner recognise the challenges facing organisations across the UK, including charities, in their preparations for the Data Protection Bill and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). A recent survey by the Institute of Fundraising found that three quarters of charities have started preparations for the new law. However, the survey also found that 22 per cent of charities had not reviewed their data protection practices or begun preparations for the new regime.

In February 2017, the Charity Commission, Fundraising Regulator and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) held a joint conference to help fundraising charities prepare for forthcoming changes. The Fundraising Regulator also published guidance for charities and fundraisers on complying with the law.

There are already resources on the ICO website (ico.org.uk) to help organisations employing fewer than 250 people prepare for the data protection regime. This month the ICO has launched a dedicated helpline service for SMEs including charities and has updated its SME toolkit to reflect the requirements of GDPR. The ICO will also be simplifying its "12-step" GDPR preparation guidance in response to requests from SMEs and will continue to develop further guidance on both the Bill and GDPR. Small charities and SMEs can also make use of the ICO's advisory visit service which provides organisations with practical advice on improving their data protection practices.

The Office for Civil Society’s small charities fundraising training programme already includes training on the GDPR, in recognition of the need to support small charities with meeting the new legal requirements.

The Government, Fundraising Regulator and the ICO will continue to support the charity sector to ensure it is prepared for the changes.


Written Question
Health: Children
Monday 18th July 2016

Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if Sport England will take steps to ensure that children's fitness and activity levels do not decline from their term-time levels in the summer holidays.

Answered by Tracey Crouch

We want to ensure that all children, regardless of background, ability or where they live, are able to engage in sport and physical activity in a way that interests and benefits them. Through the Government's sports strategy Sporting Future, published in December 2015, Sport England will now invest in sporting provision for children aged five and over - previously the starting age was 14 years old.

In addition, Sport England's new strategy, Towards an Active Nation, published in May 2016, sets out their plans to make a major new investment of £40 million into projects which offer new opportunities for families with children to get active and play sport together. Sport England will continue to work with organisations across the sport sector as it implements its strategy.


Written Question
Gaming Machine (Circumstances of Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015
Wednesday 9th March 2016

Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Gaming Machine Regulations 2015; and if he will take further steps to limit the stake on fixed odds betting terminals.

Answered by David Evennett

The Government published the Evaluation of Gaming Machine (Circumstances of Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 on 21 January. The Evaluation can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-gaming-machine-circumstances-of-useamendment-regulations-2015

The evaluation indicates that a large proportion of players of FOBTs may now be making a more conscious choice to control their playing behaviour and their stake level. We will now consider the findings of the evaluation before deciding if there is a need for further action.


Written Question
Gaming Machines
Wednesday 9th March 2016

Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on gambling addiction of limiting the stake on fixed odds betting terminals; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by David Evennett

The Government published the Evaluation of Gaming Machine (Circumstances of Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 on 21 January. The Evaluation can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/evaluation-of-gaming-machine-circumstances-of-useamendment-regulations-2015

The evaluation indicates that a large proportion of players of FOBTs may now be making a more conscious choice to control their playing behaviour and their stake level. We will now consider the findings of the evaluation before deciding if there is a need for further action.


Written Question
Gaming Machines
Wednesday 3rd February 2016

Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what his policy is on reducing the stake on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals; and if he will make a statement.

Answered by David Evennett

On 21 January the Government published its evaluation of the £50 regulations introduced in April 2015. You can find it here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/493714/Evaluation_of_Gaming_Machine__Circumstances_of_Use___Amendment__Regulations_2015.pdf

The evaluation indicates that a large proportion of players of FOBTs may now be making a more conscious choice to control their playing behaviour and their stake level. We will now consider the findings of the evaluation before deciding if there is a need for further action.


Written Question
Gaming Machines
Wednesday 3rd February 2016

Asked by: David Amess (Conservative - Southend West)

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he next plans a review of gaming machine stakes and prizes.

Answered by David Evennett

On 21 January the Government published its evaluation of the £50 regulations introduced in April 2015. You can find it here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/493714/Evaluation_of_Gaming_Machine__Circumstances_of_Use___Amendment__Regulations_2015.pdf

The evaluation indicates that a large proportion of players of FOBTs may now be making a more conscious choice to control their playing behaviour and their stake level. We will now consider the findings of the evaluation before deciding if there is a need for further action.